City Manager Spencer Cronk has named five finalists to advance to a second round of interviews for the position of chief of Austin-Travis County Emergency Services. The national search produced 37 applications from candidates vying to fill the vacancy created last year with the retirement of former EMS Chief Ernesto Rodriguez. The city manager and […]
Public Safety
Posted inPublic Safety
County looks to Sobering Center to house jail-diversion program
On Thursday, the Travis County Commissioners Court convened a working group meeting to receive the findings of a feasibility study regarding the potential combination of a criminal justice/mental health diversion program with the Austin-Travis County Sobering Center. The county commissioned the study to ascertain whether saving costs on the diversion program by coupling it with […]
Posted inPublic Health
Researchers at Dell Med are studying psychedelics as treatment for severe depression, anxiety and PTSD
The Dell Medical School at UT Austin is launching a research center focused on studying the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, which are drugs that affect an individual’s state of consciousness, including psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine and ayahuasca. Researchers say the center’s goal will be to come up with possible treatment plans and options for people suffering […]
Posted inPublic Health
County renews agreement for substance use treatment services
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved and ratified an amendment to the substance use disorder managed services agreement for the 2022 fiscal year. The interlocal agreement between the city, the county and Integral Care is aimed at contracting for substance use treatment services, and has been in effect since 1999. “It was developed […]
Posted inPublic Health
Council extends masking rules to June
After hearing from Dr. Desmar Walkes, health authority for Austin-Travis County, at a joint meeting with the Travis County Commissioners Court Tuesday, City Council voted to extend the current health authority rules until June 10, 2022. Commissioners also acted to extend their rules. Under those rules, students, staff and visitors older than 2 years are […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Council debates path forward on paid family leave for emergency services employees
City Council weighed the implications of significantly expanding benefits for emergency services employees this past Thursday in a resolution that calls for a new family leave policy for the city’s EMS, police, and fire departments. The resolution, sponsored by Council Member Ann Kitchen, directs city staff to develop plans for a program providing adequate paid […]
Posted inEMS
Moving encampments off public streets has made it more difficult to provide medical support to Austin’s unhoused
The camping ban set back years of progress local emergency services made in serving people experiencing homelessness, making it harder and more expensive to respond to an increase in emergency calls, according to a top emergency services official. The ban forced more people out of easily accessible areas, increasing the likelihood of injuries and making […]
Posted inPolice
Public Safety Commission hears update on police academy after reset
This week the Public Safety Commission heard an update on the Austin Police Department’s first cadet class since pausing cadet training to restructure the curriculum to align with the city’s reimagining public safety process. Dr. Anne Kringen, who joined APD in March to serve as division manager over the training academy, provided a high-level review […]
Posted inPublic Safety
‘Corporal’ added to law enforcement roster in Travis County
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved the addition of a new “corporal” position, and its related funding, to the existing lineup of titles in law enforcement in the county. In terms of rank, the position will be situated between senior deputy and sergeant. Instead of hiring new corporals, existing senior deputies in the […]
Posted inEMS
Search for new EMS chief still under wraps
As with last month’s meeting of the Public Safety Commission, Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano had little to report regarding the nationwide search for a new chief of Austin-Travis County Emergency Services. At Monday’s commission meeting, Arellano reported there were 37 people who applied for the position to replace former EMS Chief Ernesto Rodriguez, who […]
Posted inPublic Safety
County approves half a million for better DNA analysis
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve a three-year grant award for $573,637 to expand DNA testing ability at the Austin Police Department. The money, sourced from the Department of Justice, will also cover the cost of hiring two staff attorneys for the District Attorney’s Office, who will work in tandem with the […]
Posted inPublic Health
New collaborative hopes to address equity gaps in Austin’s response to homelessness
Austin has consistently struggled to get people living outdoors into homes. Part of that failure lies in the city’s unprecedented real estate boom and affordability crisis over the last 10 years. Another reason is that people of color, who are overrepresented among Austin’s homeless population, haven’t been able to connect with housing and case management as easily […]