AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Firefighters Association is denouncing Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker’s response to deadly Fourth of July floods in the Hill Country through a vote of “no confidence.”

What You Need To Know

  • The overwhelming majority of Austin Firefighters Association members cast a vote of "no confidence" in Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker

  • About 93% of members voted "no confidence" while 4% opposed the motion. The vote came after AFA said Baker's response to July 4 floods was delayed

  • At least 132 people died in the floods and authorities estimate 160 people are still missing

  • Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson condemned the association while expressing their support for Baker

The union accuses Baker of delaying the deployment of water rescue teams to Kerrville until July 7, three days after floodwaters ravaged an area known as “Flash Flood Alley” as vacationers, campers and residents slept.

In a Facebook post, the group directed blame at Baker, calling his decision “absolutely outrageous” and saying lives were likely lost because of him.

“I can’t possibly express to you how outraged and sickened the firefighters are that we were not allowed to do the job—the job that we have trained so hard and long to do…We could’ve made a difference, and we were forced to stand down and lives were lost,” the post read.

At least 132 people died in the floods and authorities estimate 160 people are still missing. 

AFA officials say that Baker’s decision not to send aid was based on a “misguided attempt” to save money, and that the department is reimbursed for deployments.

On Friday, the vast majority of AFA members — 93% — cast a vote of “no confidence” in Baker. Only 4% of members opposed the motion; 3% abstained from voting.

The association is now urging the city manager and city council to investigate Baker’s decisions and actions during the flood response.

“We reaffirm our commitment to serve the citizens of Austin and our neighboring jurisdictions with professionalism, bravery, and dedication—values we expect from all levels of departmental leadership,” AFA’s no confidence resolution document read.

Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson condemned the association while expressing their support for Baker, according to a report from the Austin-American Statesman. Watson also accused AFA President Bob Nicks of “politicizing” the tragedy.

Spectrum News reached out to the Austin Fire Department prior to the vote, and it sent this statement:

"The weather this weekend devastated the entire region, and the Austin Fire Department is proud to be part of the response effort.

"The decision about how to allocate resources to help our fellow Texans is not a simple one. It requires communication from public safety partners on the ground to ensure we are providing resources and personnel when, where and how they are most needed.

"The Austin Fire Department must also prioritize having sufficient resources in our own community given the unpredictability of this weekend's storms and the risk for catastrophic flooding in our immediate area.

"In an effort to strike that balance, AFD deployed three rescue swimmers on Friday, July 4 to serve with the Texas Task Force 1 helicopter search and rescue team (HSART) to perform water rescues in San Angelo, Kerrville and Seguin. On Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, two crews, eight total fire personnel, and an AFD boat, were assigned to assist ESD 1 with search efforts at Cow Creek and Big Sandy Creek. An additional six personnel were deployed today, at approximately 9 a.m., to augment Texas Task Force 1 search and rescue efforts in the area.

"AFD is a strong public safety partner in our region. We will continue to live up to that reputation while maintaining adequate resources for those we serve in our City and neighboring communities."