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Austin Fire Department reports wildfire deployments, mental-health outreach and staffing shortfalls
Summary
At a Public Safety Commission meeting, Austin Fire Department officials reviewed a regional wildfire deployment to California, new station openings and continuing recruiting challenges, and outlined mental-health resources for staff.
The Austin Fire Department told the Public Safety Commission on Feb. 4 that its personnel deployed to California as part of a regional strike team, that a new station (Station 54) opened for a soft start in January and that the department continues to operate with roughly a 6% vacancy rate.
City and department leaders described the California deployment as both a response and training opportunity. "They were there for 3 weeks. They were able to help community members as they were allowed to start moving back into their homes," the presenter said, adding firefighters also performed clearing, patrolling and some firefighting on active wildfires.
The presentation highlighted multiple program areas: mental-health outreach for sworn and civilian staff, a captain dedicated to mapping calls involving persons experiencing homelessness, a station soft opening and a multi-station…
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