Union Accuses Austin Fire Chief of Dereliction After Kerr County Disaster

Fire Chief Joel Baker is under fire from the Austin Firefighters Association, which claims his department's slow response to devastating floods in Kerr County constitutes a “disgraceful dereliction of duty. ” Union President Bob Nicks reported that Baker ignored mutual aid requests made on July 2 and July 3, just before the floods resulted in 84 deaths, including 28 children. Baker confirmed he received messages from Nicks but maintained he was unaware of any official requests until July 4, when he dispatched rescue teams. Internal emails revealed Baker halted emergency deployments earlier due to an $800,000 backlog in state reimbursements, which he characterized as a decision to evaluate assistance on a case-by-case basis. He expressed concerns about Austin's budget crisis and the pressure on local resources, arguing that he was trying to protect both Kerr County and Austin residents.

Nicks countered that the department had sufficient resources to manage both emergencies. The firefighters' union is expected to vote on a no-confidence resolution against Baker on Tuesday, reflecting significant discontent within the ranks. This situation underscores the challenges faced by emergency services during crises and the need for effective communication and timely responses.