The city of Austin will begin a pilot program next month that will deploy a multi – disciplinary team to deal with mental health related problems within the downtown area. The team will include professionals from Austin, Travis County EMS, the Austin Police Department (APD) and Integral Care. As Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Escott […]
Austin Fire Department
firefighters who serve residents inside Austin city limits.
Posted inFire
After heated talks, Austin, firefighters reach a deal on a four-year labor contract
The Austin firefighters union has agreed to an 11th-hour deal on a new labor contract with the city. The agreement late Friday ends a weekslong stalemate after the Austin Firefighters Association rejected of a proposal that it said wouldn’t substantially increase wages for its personnel. The AFA agreed to a deal that would raise wages by at […]
Posted inCity Hall
Firefighters, city at loggerheads over contract
Negotiators for the Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) and city management appear to have reached an impasse. AFA President Bob Nicks called the city’s current offer “disrespectful to those who risk their lives daily.” Nicks noted that he told the city manager and City Council in January that firefighters want a work week reduction and the […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission hears about legislation impacting Austin
Last week, members of the Public Safety Commission heard from Intergovernmental Relations Deputy Officer Rick Ramirez about bills the city helped pass and those the city opposed during the regular session of the state Legislature. Among those important to Austin and its public safety employees was one making changes to the firefighters’ pension fund. Under […]
Posted inFire
To slash costs, Austin will decide whether to cut firefighter staffing below national standards
The city of Austin is looking to cut overtime for Austin firefighters as a way to save money in the new budget. The change would mean adjusting staffing levels on many fire trucks, which some officials said puts people and fire crews at risk. When a fire team responds to a fire there are a […]
Posted inBudget
City looks to cut some costs on police, fire budgets
City budget planners had to make some tough decisions in proposing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year and the following year. As part of the proposal laid out by City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Budget Officer Kerri Lang at Tuesday’s Council work session, staff is proposing a $9 million decrease in the Police Department […]
Posted inFire
Firefighters to seek firing of Chief Baker
Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks will hold a press conference today to discuss the removal of Fire Chief Joel Baker from his position. Nicks told the Austin Monitor that Baker issued a standing order on June 6 that prevented Austin firefighters from deploying to assist those working to rescue people during the catastrophic 4th […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission discusses firefighter cancer prevention, quarterly Fire Department update, and bylaws
On Monday, the Public Safety Commission (PSC) heard a quarterly report from the Austin Fire Department and discussed initiatives related to firefighter cancer prevention. The commission also conducted business related to their internal Austin Police Department (APD) Training Academy Working Group and Public Safety Wellness Center Working Group, and launched a new internal group to […]
Posted inPublic Safety
City reports fewer crimes, stable crowds in Sixth Street pilot
Data from the city’s efforts to revitalize the Sixth Street Entertainment District show reductions in violent crime and public safety incidents, according to a new memo summarizing the results of a pilot program launched late last year. A recent memo from Development Services Department leadership to City Council reported a modest, but notable, decline in […]
Posted inFire
City and county officials kick off Wildfire Awareness Month
As Austin/Travis County heads into another scorching hot wildfire season, city and county leaders are sharing updates on community-wide preparedness efforts and emphasizing how individual Austinites can do their part. Local officials held a press conference on Tuesday to kick off Wildfire Awareness Month. Austin currently ranks fifth on a list of major U.S. cities […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Staffing isn’t the only thing to blame for Austin’s slow 911 response times
When someone calls 911 for help in Austin, about 93 percent of those calls are answered within 15 seconds. But once those calls are answered, police, fire or EMS must then respond. And those public safety agencies are not responding as quickly as they should. Data revealed this week show it’s taking longer than national […]
Posted inZoning
ZAP recommends first-time zonings of former ‘Hickmuntown’ on city’s northwest edge
The Zoning and Platting Commission voted 6-2-1 to recommend first-time zonings for two plots of undeveloped land at a northwestern edge of the city in a case that emphasized the commission’s commitment to a maximalist housing policy. The lots in question are located at 11300 and 11301 Zimmerman Lane off Farm to Market Road 620, […]