Austin Firefighters Union Demands Accountability Over Deadly Hill Country Flood Failures

The severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country earlier this month has sparked anger and brought emergency preparedness back into the spotlight across the state. The Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) is calling for accountability for what they term "preventable failures."

After heavy rains hit the area, at least 120 people have died, and more than 170 are still missing. According to firefighters, union leaders, and public defenders, the number of deaths could have been lower because the system was not functioning effectively and decisions were delayed.

On July 11, 93% of members of the AFA (Local 975 of the International Association of Firefighters) voted against Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker. As a result of multiple official requests for assistance, the union claims Baker refused to deploy elite water rescue teams in the days leading up to the flooding.

Union President Bob Nicks stated that Baker had placed an internal hold on deployments outside the area, reportedly due to "cash flow issues." Nicks disagreed, saying the state would have funded the mission. "Everyone in the chain said do not deploy and do not even ask," he said.

There were only three rescue divers sent out in the end, days after the floods started. On the other hand, departments from towns in Texas, Oklahoma, and even Mexico quickly came to help.

Now, the AFA is seeking a thorough investigation and transparency from the city's leadership. "It is important for people to trust our local government with their lives," the union said in a public statement.

However, the city government has resisted the AFA's demands. Mayor Kirk Watson stated that the AFA was making the disaster a political issue while contract talks were still ongoing. City Manager T.C. Broadnax noted that the union's actions were "disappointing." 

Some critics have said that Chief Baker's African American race was a factor, but the AFA strongly denies these statements. "This has nothing to do with race or ethnicity." "It is about responsibility," the union made it clear.

The debate occurs during a period of reduced funding for public services. Due to a lack of personnel, the National Weather Service failed to issue timely warnings. 

As a result of the Trump administration's rejection of government funding proposals, Texas lacks a centralized flood warning system.

"This is not about government." "We need to protect lives," Nicks said. "We need to speak out for the people we serve."

People who have witnessed it say that the disaster has revealed the depth of class and political differences. Through Operation Lone Star, the state has spent over $11 billion on border security. However, investments in lifesaving infrastructure are still dangerously low.

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