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By Jesus Mesa
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Austin, Texas Fire Chief Joel G. Baker is facing mounting criticism and a pending vote of no confidence from the city's firefighter union after his department delayed sending specialized rescue crews to assist with deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, allegedly due to budget concerns.
The Austin Firefighters Association is publicly accusing Baker of refusing to deploy the city's specialized swiftwater rescue teams on July 2 and 4 despite requests from the state, delaying the response until later on the July 4 holiday. The union says this delay cost lives.
Why It Matters
Flash floods in Texas killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday, including at least 28 girls attending a summer camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River as its banks overflowed. The devastation outside of San Antonio has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions.
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The flooding inundated the Texas Hill Country in hours, killing scores of residents and leaving others stranded.
What To Know
According to the union, Austin's Special Operations crews — known statewide for their swiftwater rescue expertise — were ready with boats, technicians, and helicopter-trained swimmers but were told to stand down by AFD leadership.
By the time a small contingent of three rescue swimmers deployed on July 4, the union said, "much of the damage had been done."
"We were the best rescue team in the best position to help those little girls," Bob Nicks, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, told KXAN, referring to the campers stranded in the floodwaters. "We made a promise to go, and we said 'No.'"
The union alleges Baker delayed deployment over budget concerns, citing a June 6 email from an AFD division chief that imposed a moratorium on out-of-city deployments through October 1 due to about $800,000 in outstanding state reimbursements. The email stated the city wanted to ensure those funds were collected before spending more.
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"This was a routine request, and we would have deployed," Nicks told KXAN. "The notion that a department of our size can't send a few boat crews is ludicrous."
In a Facebook post, the union called Baker's decision "a dereliction of duty" and said: "LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER'S DECISION!"
Baker denies the budget was a factor and said his priority was maintaining readiness in Austin in case the storms also hit the city. He told KXAN that he first became aware of the state's request on July 4 and immediately approved the deployment of three rescue swimmers, followed by more personnel and equipment over the next two days.
What People Are Saying
Austin's Fire Chief Joel G. Baker speaking to KXAN: "It's important that we are able to function and maintain a certain level of readiness in the city of Austin. We will continue to support disasters of this nature, but I'm obligated to make sure that the residents, the citizens of Austin, are also protected."
The Austin Firefighters Association in a statement on Facebook: "Our Special Operations teams are among the best in Texas, but because of Chief Baker's refusal to deploy them, lives were likely lost. His decision — driven by a misguided attempt to save money — is unforgivable."
What's Next
The Austin Firefighters Association has scheduled a vote of no confidence in Baker for Tuesday. While such a vote does not directly remove the chief — that authority rests with the city manager or city council — it would send a clear signal of discontent from the rank and file.
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