[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568750,"mediaKeyId","3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82","parentId",3193954,"title","Austin Fire Department: call volume climbs, Station 54 opens as response-time gap widens","audioSeconds",1589,"startMs",313000,"endMs",1902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82&start=313&end=1902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82/thumbnail_313000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568750/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Fire-Department-call-volume-climbs-Station-54-opens-as-response-time-gap-widens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568750-7fa7171b2b5edb62146edc21934bacd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929771&Signature=b3O-w8nrnS-HgIdZ7ifmKTtR7qI4KkWJeFQeD50KsaKNZHkVceito-fOO4e0DMzS2ITTXz37EXRK207GZOl6q2gyLE2QAN4s6-zlh4mTiHoqncaZUaBnjt9cZPeYtKeqkwQ5pMDUzdW4XoHpz9hVSEk66VvvGfAbd3ToIAA-g76ZZ9VCiWMfSLRyoR5ZbDe4kRO-rsRj3RDSoE9M8AtP3oDzk6Q2NYnN66mjBIK3BW9uLMdWJiNBiZZq8lAFmlrOw42pjqhcHDy5XGSRO06NKALfpjLDwkdv7hPA9bvvc9K25uUgvNLrpxlH9Ev23UPxPKqLfY6ByLCuP823sRusUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","Rob Byers, chief of staff for the Austin Fire Department, told the Public Safety Commission on May during its regularly called May meeting that Austin’s rapid population growth has increased call volume and pulled average response times above the department’s eight‑minute goal set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Byers said the department tracks first‑unit arrival against an NFPA eight‑minute benchmark and that “the city most certainly has outpaced the growth of public safety here specifically the Austin Fire Department.” He told commissioners the department is pursuing technology and operational changes to close the gap while noting other short‑ and longer‑term strategies.

The department reported the grand opening of Station 54 in northwest Austin (Canyon Creek area), the fifth new station built in six years and a joint facility with partner agencies. Byers also highlighted upgrades and renovations at older stations, including Station 4 (Tenth and Blanco) and Station 20, and said some renovations have been delayed by the need to add permanent generators and related gas‑piping infrastructure.

Byers thanked the city’s Building Services Department for providing temporary generators during recent winter storms while crews work on permanent installations. When commissioners asked for a percentage of stations with permanent generators, Byers said he did not have that number on hand but offered to follow up by email.

The department described continued use of an auto‑aid dispatch system across Travis County and into parts of Williamson County, where interoperability challenges between multiple answering centers complicate GPS and closest‑unit dispatching. “The moment the dispatcher answers the phone… identifying the address, closest unit, and getting that response is most important,” Byers said, describing why cross‑jurisdiction coordination matters for timely service.

Byers summarized other program highlights: the department’s arson investigators (who are sworn peace officers) have a clearance rate described as roughly double the national average; wildfire staff and a wildfire battalion perform structural ignition zone evaluations and community outreach to reduce ember‑driven losses; and the department distributes naloxone (Narcan), with roughly half of administrations occurring before emergency responders arrive on scene.

On prevention and compliance, Byers said the department’s third‑party compliance engine has raised known building system compliance (sprinklers, alarms, etc.) to about 85 percent among tracked properties, up from much lower historical levels.

On personnel, Byers said the department currently has about 83 sworn vacancies and five civilian vacancies. He reviewed recruiting data: roughly 1,700 candidate interest cards, 1,300 applicants, and 667 who completed the written test. Two cadet classes were in training (class 139 began with 48 cadets and is down to 40; class 140 began with 45 and is down to 40), and a third class is planned in August with an intended 48 seats.

Byers and commissioners discussed options to improve response times besides station builds, including alternative response models (smaller squads or brush units), traffic‑signal technology to expedite responses, and continued partnerships with other city departments to streamline operations.

The department closed by reminding the commission that more detailed district‑level statistics are available in the meeting backup and that prospective applicants can find recruiting information at joinafd.com.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Public Safety Commission - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rob Byers, chief of staff for the Austin Fire Department, told the Public Safety Commission that Austin’s growth has pushed call volumes up and widened the gap between current arrival times and the NFPA standard of eight minutes for first‑unit response.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568740,"Public Safety Commission approves meeting minutes, appoints and reorganizes working groups (unanimous votes)",762,3723000,4485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82&start=3723&end=4485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82/thumbnail_3723000.jpg","/articles/6568740/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Public-Safety-Commission-approves-meeting-minutes-appoints-and-reorganizes-working-groups-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568740-b9d240ae1574f7e2157df4ba8dc20441/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929771&Signature=mHXZIkzzfMl2aug9Em6YcAVbX9jQpqpoIkPH6ELywdBWXKw7~jkwYJUMu8uMdCeLxN65TAd1F7nfw8dIYjxpkxxqLK2gCyb-4hdk0MV4MfGGwRfzDLBs0Xs2diNMXGwk9H5P5szY0Xyjr~BvypN0hzwrpVl1FYgtju9QS6jPW0ch9wjUpnsjjyxDk5rLweuliB9QljgwBXjkQ7EE3GuU-jqwlwxhfSNS6Yd4YH7poKB6zHRj5fXl3JGVnJwP71-BkJBYwSItX6U12Y-c3QHZPrYqbFk2bWU0e4BJ0ySF2qW1xhYTrDzbSVou2Uq5rF43dH3ayoPSjNZfkq-AA0kW5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Commission took several procedural votes at its May meeting, all carried by unanimous hand vote.

Approved minutes: The commission approved the meeting minutes by voice/hand vote after a call for objections; no objections were recorded and the chair declared the motion approved.

Training academy working group appointment: The commission voted to approve Commissioner Jago (also referenced as Commissioner Zagal in the backup) to join the training academy working group; the motion passed unanimously. The training academy working group will review Kroll recommendations and meet with academy staff; a tour of the training academy for the working group is scheduled for June.

Dissolution of the Public Safety Wellness Center working group: Members recommended dissolving the Wellness Center working group while the wellness center’s relocation and organizational changes are underway; the commission voted to dissolve the working group unanimously. Commissioners noted that previous budget recommendations pertaining to the wellness center remain on the record and that the center will be considered again once plans settle.

Formation of a bylaws working group and appointments: The commission voted unanimously to create a working group to review Public Safety Commission bylaws and the relevant city code. Commissioners identified five members to serve on the bylaws working group: Commissioners Nguyen, Orr, Carroll, Rutan and Bernhardt. The chair described the group’s scope as a deep review of code and bylaws, consideration of which agencies and community representatives to include at meetings, and potential language‑access and quorum considerations.

Several commissioners discussed possible additions to bylaws working‑group outreach, including emergency management (HSEM) representation, collaboration with quality‑of‑life commissions, and improved language access for public participation. The working group may consult city staff and other commissions and return recommendations to the full commission.","At its May meeting the commission approved minutes, appointed a member to the training academy working group, dissolved the wellness‑center working group and formed a bylaws working group; all recorded votes were unanimous.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568745,"Wellness center outlines PFAS testing, turnout and 'clean cab' steps to reduce firefighter cancer risk",1090,2250000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82&start=2250&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3193954-b66768b33fef69f32ebb0fb49daecf82/thumbnail_2250000.jpg","/articles/6568745/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Wellness-center-outlines-PFAS-testing-turnout-and-clean-cab-steps-to-reduce-firefighter-cancer-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568745-e14065c626891de6b1897a8a8164519c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929771&Signature=ebytPgMLwOJRELuVE3rZ0Pg9v53RKTT74k71-~YjtwNtP9dXj326l5ZwQsid9-1HgeVC50RKnw6eb~wZvHzuYOXXpa05lAGZJGDGrMwSR-nBDpeV~Ewyu~hrQZKc6O3HOJOEw7ziKNv0NhQ9az0Nfw~nMgcnt0nsY84g3RYzSRLy8XdXgocJWX~uhAgb9TPZxRtmpY0SRPiucCgUNBdajzhJzm-rE7Uwqduoga5wimi7wWCgrt~SvARHY6UwbbHS6IU~QluHV35uBInMTWdPYOOaaynl1pELM2YAyNAUeG-1JmVT6PFGnyR23SNXnr89Cbuak42WbivonYFJyH0hKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heather Edespan, clinic administrator for the Public Safety Wellness Center, told the Public Safety Commission that the center provides oversight of annual exams and targeted screenings intended to detect early signs of disease among first responders.

Edespan said the Wellness Center performs baseline tests that can prompt referral for further evaluation — spirometry, urinalysis, prostate specific antigen (PSA) checks, thyroid tests and blood work — and that clinicians discuss age‑ and history‑appropriate screening such as mammography or colonoscopy during annual exams. “Though they’re not cancer screenings in and of themselves, they do help identify abnormalities that will then allow our physician to refer our first responders out for additional screening or testing as needed,” Edespan said.

Edespan said Central Austin Dermatology Group provides monthly skin‑cancer screenings at the Wellness Center, and that the center extended services to other city departments with sun‑exposed work. She reported that grant funds paid for PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) blood testing for about 78 firefighters and that the results provide a baseline that members can take to their primary‑care providers.

Rob Byers, chief of staff for the fire department, briefed commissioners on operational steps to reduce exposure. He described a multi‑year effort to replace firefighting foam at Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport with non‑PFAS alternatives and said the airport apparatus and foam replacement program aims to eliminate PFOS‑containing foam and equipment by the end of the year. Byers cautioned that replacement of PFAS‑containing products (including some turnout materials that sit between layers of garment fabric) must be done carefully to avoid introducing new safety issues.

To limit contamination, Byers described a “clean cab” policy and a loaner‑gear program: crews bag and swap contaminated turnouts at major incidents, use loaner gear so crews can continue working, and launder the contaminated gear in industrial extractors before return. He described on‑scene wipes, a protocol to shower within an hour after return from a major incident, and diesel exhaust‑capture systems (Plymovent) that pull vehicle exhaust out of apparatus bays.

Commissioners asked about hereditary testing and tracking of presumptive occupational cancers. Edespan said medical history is reviewed during annual exams and that members can be referred for additional testing if indicated; she said the Wellness Center has helped refer members when they request tests that are not yet broadly recommended. On workers’ compensation tracking for presumptive cancers, department staff said such data may be held by the workers’ comp unit and offered to follow up.

Commissioner Nguyen asked about environmental testing and coordination with Watershed for runoff associated with firefighting foam. Byers said the airport and multiple city agencies have participated in a multi‑agency effort; a department representative added that a grant application requesting soil testing was denied earlier, and that further environmental testing has funding limits.

On funding, Edespan and Byers said the Wellness Center’s regular operations are budgeted through the fire department with contributions from police and EMS for shared services. The Fire Foundation and occasional grants have funded equipment and special tests. Byers said the center has had difficulty hiring a second physician, which limits capacity, and that grant funding used for PFAS testing imposed limits on the number of tests performed.

Commissioners recommended broader education on family history and hereditary testing and asked staff to follow up on workers’‑compensation tracking and environmental testing options.","Clinic administrator Heather Edespan and Austin Fire Department staff described screenings, limited PFAS testing, turnout replacement challenges, and station procedures such as loaner gear, extractors and on‑scene wipes aimed at reducing firefighters' exposure to carcinogens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Austin Fire Department: call volume climbs, Station 54 opens as response-time gap widens

Public Safety Commission approves meeting minutes, appoints and reorganizes working groups (unanimous votes)

Wellness center outlines PFAS testing, turnout and 'clean cab' steps to reduce firefighter cancer risk