Public Safety Commission discusses firefighter cancer prevention, quarterly Fire Department update, and bylaws

On Monday, the Public Safety Commission (PSC) heard a quarterly report from the Austin Fire Department and discussed initiatives related to firefighter cancer prevention. The commission also conducted business related to their internal Austin Police Department (APD) Training Academy Working Group and Public Safety Wellness Center Working Group, and launched a new internal group to re-examine the commission’s bylaws.

Austin Fire Department (AFD) Chief of Staff Rob Vires kicked off the presentations. According to AFD data, Austin’s continued population growth has led to slower response times. “The city most certainly has outpaced the growth of public safety here,” Vires said, adding that AFD was looking at technological and internal strategies to help address this.

Fire Station 54, a joint Fire/EMS station located in Council District 10’s Canyon Creek neighborhood, opened earlier this year. “This was the last of five stations to be built over six years,” Vires said, referencing a resolution by former Council Member Alison Alter that established this goal for the city.

Vires also highlighted some ongoing facility improvement projects at fire stations around town. Some of these renovations will help keep fire-related contaminants out of common and rest areas for firefighters. He also shared some updates on the interlocal “automatic aid” agreement, which allows the nearest unit to respond to a 911 call, regardless of jurisdiction. “Travis County has 14 different fire departments in it,” he noted.

The quarterly report also included an update on Naloxone administration. All AFD personnel have been trained on Naloxone administration and all units carry the medication. AFD has administered or assisted with the administration of Naloxone 122 times so far in 2025.

Vires said AFD has been gearing up for another wildfire season. The Wildfire Division has received more than 500 requests for free wildfire-related property evaluations (you can request your home evaluation here). In 2024, Austin became the largest city to have all of its firefighters complete a “Responding to the Interface” training for wildfire. AFD shared more information on their wildfire preparedness efforts at a press conference last week.

Vires also shared updates on AFD’s community outreach efforts, including some data on their free smoke alarm installation program. (You can request a free installation at 512-974-0299.)

He concluded his presentation by providing some data on staffing and vacancies. “By and large, most people that join the fire department… stay for a full, healthy career of 20 to 30 years,” Vires said. Currently, AFD has 83 sworn vacancies and five civilian vacancies. There are two ongoing cadet classes, with the next class scheduled to start in August. Recruiting info can be found at JoinAFD.com.

The next topic slated for the agenda, a follow-up discussion on data related to sexual assault, was bumped to the next meeting, as APD needed more time to check the quality of their data. While Chair Nelly Paulina Ramírez said she was “disappointed” the discussion was being postponed, she noted that she was “really grateful and impressed” with APD’s data during the prior discussion.

Next, Heather Arispe, the clinic administrator for Austin’s Public Safety Wellness Center, shared some data on cancer prevention efforts for firefighters. The center conducts several annual exams and screenings for AFD personnel.

“Firefighting has been identified as a carcinogen as an occupation,” Arispe said, adding that firefighters have higher rates of cancer than the general population.

The clinic has also conducted PFAS tests for 78 firefighters. With the limited number of available tests, which were grant-funded, the center tested firefighters stationed at the airport first. Firefighting foam used at the airport has a high amount of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, that have been found to pose health risks to those exposed to them.

Vires added that the department has been working on identifying a less-dangerous, but still effective, substitute product for the foam at the airport.

“I think by the end of this year, Austin will be completely PFAS-free as far as foam,” he said, but noted some other processes and materials where firefighters are still exposed to PFAS. “We are working through a process…to get turnouts (protective firefighting clothes) that are properly protected for our folks,” he added.

Vires also highlighted a “clean cabin” initiative to help minimize exposures from gear that has been contaminated at a fire scene. “We’re also looking at some other cancer screening items that are just not yet FDA-approved,” he noted.

Next, the commission touched base about their APD Training Academy Working Group, which reviews the findings of a third-party audit of APD’s academy. Kimberly Hidrogo, a new appointee from Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, joined the working group.

The commission also heard updates from a working group that focuses on the Public Safety Wellness Center. The commission voted to close out the working group until the center is settled in its permanent location (the new Public Safety Headquarters).

Finally, Chair Ramírez gauged interest in re-examining the commission bylaws. “This is an exploration that I think we can do as a commission…to sort of revisit what it is that we do. …Who should be sitting at the table with us as we talk about public safety, both in terms of the agencies… and what community members?”

Ramírez noted that the commission had been formed more than 15 years ago.

“The language in City Code definitely shows… that age,” she said.

Commissioner Pierre Nguyễn recommended including Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) in commission business, which is something he has long advocated for.

“I do believe that public safety also includes emergency management as well,” he said.

Nguyễn pointed to “overlapping needs” where the same information is often presented at multiple commissions. For instance, some Quality of Life commissions have public safety working groups or discuss related topics.

Ramírez indicated her support for this to be considered during the discussion of the commission’s bylaws. “There are a lot of times where we have conversations where I really wish we had more community members…so that we could have richer discussions,” she said.

The group also discussed various options to expand language access for their meetings.

To conclude the discussion, the commission voted to form a working group focused on the bylaws, which will provide updates at future meetings.

Finally, commissioners discussed topics for their next meeting. The commission will hear more from the City Auditor’s Office on a recent recruiting and hiring audit for APD. They will also discuss APD’s license plate reader program, and will continue the postponed discussion on data related to sex crimes.

Commissioner Nguyễn recommended that a future agenda include a briefing on extreme weather preparedness. Commissioner Rebecca Bernhardt suggested the commission discuss safety for the LGBTQ+ community, and specifically for transgender Austinites.

“I would like us to at some point have a conversation about the 911 Call Center and the possibility of moving that out of APD’s budget,” Ramírez said, referencing an idea that was discussed when the forensic lab was moved outside of the department. She said she’d also like to hear an update on the (now separate from APD) forensic lab.

 

The Austin Monitor’s work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.