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Austin’s fire chief Joel G. Baker, accused of refusing firefighters to help in keriel
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The Austin Firefighters Association says firefighters plan to start a vote in Baker
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More than 80 people were killed as a result of a flood in central Texas, with the greater part of the deaths being in Kerr County
Austin, Texas – Austin’s fire chief Joel G. Baker has been accused of refusing the deployment of firefighters in Austin to help in Kervil after the recent devastating flood.
The Austin Firefighters Association published a Baker on its Facebook page, calling it “absolutely outrageous” and “outrageous abandonment of obligations” and calls on Baker to be held liable.
AFA says that on Tuesday, July 8, Austin firefighters plan to start a vote of Baker’s confidence.
Accusation
What they say
On Monday, July 7, AFA posted on Facebook:
“He bears the firefighters in Austin, he has no pleasure to announce to the Community that the Austin Fire Department denies the deployment of firefighters in Austin in Kerriel until very late in the event (so today!), With the exception of 3 AFD rescue swimmers who have helped the Helo teams (who have not yet been up to the staff.
“The Austin Fire Fireman Special Operations Teams are specially trained in rescuing Hill Country Swift water and are one of the best, if not the best, Swift Water Boat Teams in Texas.
“It is absolutely outrageous that Austin’s fire chief Joel G. Baker would not allow highly trained Austin firefighters to respond to Kerville. Therefore, an outrageous deviation from his duties was very likely to be lost because of the chief Baker’s decision!
“The placement orders came down from the State of Texas on July 2. We will be pre -disassembled before the waters even start to rise!
“It is unforgivable for the firefighter to prevent their firefighters from responding to the call to save lives.
“Why will the head of the firefighter Joel G. Baker do this, you can ask? This was a deluded attempt to save money. I say” wrong “because the fire service is completely restored by the state to unfold.
“We are disgusted by our fire chief. He must be held accountable and fired because of his shameful waiver.
“The Austin firefighters start a vote of trust on Tuesday at the fire chief.
“As disgusting as we are in our management of the Austin Fire Service, the Austin Firefighters Association has decided not to broadcast our dirty laundry while the victims and the bodies are still recovering. But now it is on July 7th, and it’s time to be responsible for our deceived chief.
“Austin firefighters are committed to being transparent to the community about this process in order to remove our fire chief and to keep all those responsible that were part of this atrocity.
“Firefighters hope to have your support because it will become ugly.
“I cannot express you how outraged and ill the firefighters are not allowed to do the job – the work we have trained so hard and long to deal with – through the historical floods that have just happened in Kerville. We could make a difference and we were forced to stand.
“The community deserves the head of the firefighter who takes care of the community as much as our firefighters, and that is just not the case. Joel G. Baker has to go!”
What’s next
AFA is expected to hold a press conference at 11 am on July 8 on the vote.
AFD response
The other side
Austin’s Fire Department responded to the prosecution with a statement saying ::
“The weather this weekend has devastated the whole region, and the Austin Fire Service is proud to be part of the reaction efforts.
“The decision on how to allocate resources to help our Texas colleagues is not simple. This requires communication from public safety partners to ensure that we provide resources and staff when, where and how they are most necessary.
“The Austin Fire Department also has to prioritize enough resources in our own community, given the unpredictability of storms this weekend and the risk of catastrophic floods in our immediate area.
“In an effort to strike that Balance, AFD Deployed Three Rescue Swimmers on Friday, July 4 To Ser with The Texas Task Force 1 Helicoptere Search and Rescue Team (HSART) Kerrville and Seguin.
“Today there were an additional six staff, approximately 9am to increase the Texas Working Group 1 to search and rescue in the area.
“AFD is a strong public safety partner in our region. We will continue to live up to this reputation while maintaining adequate resources for those we serve in our city and neighboring communities.”
AFD does not comment on the planned vote for any confidence for boss Baker.
The latter for the floods
What we know
At 6:30 pm July 7, at least 104 people are dead as a result of the flood in central Texas. Most of these deaths occurred in Kerr County, where at least 84 people, including 28 children, were killed.
At least 10 girls and a Camp Mystic advisor is still missing.
Over the holiday weekend, employees claim that crews have managed to save more than 850 people.
There were at least seven deaths in Travis in the County and about 10 people who are not reported. There was also significant damage to the infrastructure.
Burnet County has at least four dead and two people are still missing,
Williamson County reports two deaths and one person is still disappearing, and the Candel and Tom Green Counts have at least one death confirmed.
Source
The information in this report comes from the Austin Firefighters Association and the previous reporting from FOX 7 Austin and FOX television stations.