Austin Fire Department says growth and staffing strain response times; announces traffic-signal technology and expanded prevention outreach

Rob Byers, chief of staff for the Austin Fire Department, told the Austin Public Safety Commission on Nov. 3 that the department is struggling to meet its 8-minute response-time goal in the face of city growth and staffing shortfalls.

"Our response goal time is 8 minutes, at 90% of the time or less," Byers said, adding that the department is testing an advanced traffic-signal preemption system being rolled out with Austin Transportation to clear routes for emergency vehicles.

The presentation described several other steps the department is taking to bolster response capability. Byers said the department has adjusted which calls are routed to fire units in coordination with Austin-Travis County EMS and the city medical director, a change that could account for a recent dip in total call volume. The department also highlighted automatic-aid arrangements that allow the closest unit from Travis or parts of Williamson County to respond automatically to incidents…