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Public-safety chiefs outline FY26 staffing impacts; APD reallocations, EMS overtime concerns and wildfire staff returns discussed
Summary
Austin fire, EMS and police leaders told the Public Safety Commission that FY26 budget choices will affect staffing, overtime and training; APD described reallocations to patrol to reduce overtime while EMS and fire flagged temporary reassignments and training implications.
During an Austin Public Safety Commission discussion of the proposed FY25–26 budget, department leaders described how the proposed numbers could affect sworn and civilian staffing, overtime and training.
Fire Chief Byers said a mid-year 1.5% general-fund reduction required some personnel temporarily to be reassigned to operations; as FY26 budget deliberations continue, the department intends to return those staff to their regular assignments or refill vacant staff positions. Byers said changes could influence wildfire division staffing and training priorities.
Wes Hopkins of Austin-Travis County EMS said the agency saw no change in its authorized sworn strength in the proposed budget, but it is managing vacancies through academy…
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