He became one of the original members of an eight-man squad known as the "SS-Begleitkommando des Führers" (SS Escort Command of the Führer), which later was known as the "Führerbegleitkommando" (FBK). The unit was assigned with protecting the life of Hitler. In 1934, he was present at the arrest of Ernst Röhm. In 1936, with the death of Julius Schreck, Kempka became Hitler's primary chauffeur. He was also appointed by Hitler as "Chef des Kraftfahrwesens beim Führer und Reichskanzler" (Chief of the Führer's and Reich Chancellor's Fleet of Cars).