The Kentucky Fire Commission, a separate state entity responsible for training emergency responders, also became part of KCTCS at that time.

With the continued support of Governor Chandler, President Dickey successfully expanded the program by developing University of Kentucky Extension Centers in Fort Knox (1958), Cumberland (1960), and Henderson (1960).

Headed by Otis C. Amis, of Lexington, the commission submitted its recommendations in November 1961, which included creating new community colleges for Prestonsburg, Hopkinsville, Somerset and the Hazard-Blackey area.

[5] In 1964, the board of trustees and newly elected UK President John W. Oswald implemented the legislation removing the system from the UK Division of Extended Programs and creating a separate UK Division of Community Colleges, changing the extension centers to community colleges in Covington, Ashland, Fort Knox, Cumberland, and Henderson; and creating Elizabethtown.

Additionally, each college has a seven-member local advisory committee appointed for four-year terms by the governor.