Austin Firefighters Oppose Staffing Cuts
Austin firefighters are voicing their opposition to a proposal from the city manager to eliminate the 2018 Four-Firefighter Minimum Staffing Ordinance, which mandates four firefighters per truck. During a recent press conference, firefighters expressed concern that the city's plan to reduce staffing on 48 out of 50 fire engines by 25% would jeopardize both public safety and firefighter well-being, particularly in challenging situations like wildfires and large building fires. This staffing level is endorsed by the National Fire Protection Association and is necessary to meet OSHA's ?two-in, two-out? rule for entering hazardous environments.
Firefighter Association President Bob Nicks criticized Fire Chief Joel Baker for advocating a reduction in staffing, contradicting his previous stance against such measures. Ed Kelly, General President of the International Association of Firefighters, emphasized the tragic consequences of inadequate staffing, referencing a recent fire incident in Massachusetts that could have been mitigated with proper staffing levels. The union's protest follows a vote of ?no confidence? in Baker, stemming from his earlier decision not to dispatch crews during severe flooding.
