The Austin Firefighters Association (AFA) is calling for more attention to safety issues affecting its members. Last week, these concerns were partially addressed during City Council budget sessions.
The AFA had planned to hold a press conference on Monday to highlight rising injury rates and mental health issues among firefighters. This follows a recent suicide, marking the fourth such incident since 2017. However, the press conference was postponed due to President Joe Biden’s visit to the LBJ Presidential Library.
AFA President Bob Nicks told the Austin Monitor that the association is advocating for the city to add another annual cadet class. This move would create 25 new positions and support a planned reduction in the standard firefighter workweek from 56 hours to 52 hours. Nicks believes that this change will help reduce the mental strain and psychological effects of the job.
Nicks explained, “Nationwide, firefighters are increasingly facing post-incident stress. In Austin, this issue seems particularly severe. We’re seeing more firefighters needing treatment. By reducing the workweek, we aim to give firefighters more time to rest and recover between shifts.”
During last week’s budget hearing, City Council members discussed the $1.7 million cost of adding a third cadet class. They also examined the rising costs of workers’ compensation and overtime due to high absenteeism and injuries.
Council Member Alison Alter expressed support for increasing the number of full-time firefighters as a cost-effective measure. She suggested that adding more firefighters might be more beneficial for mental health and overall cost-efficiency compared to spending an additional $4 million on overtime.
Nicks pointed out that the increase in overtime costs may be linked to firefighters being more open about their mental health issues and physical ailments. He believes the planned workweek reduction, set to begin in September 2025, will help address these issues.
“The fire service has historically had a stigma around mental health,” Nicks said. “People were afraid to speak up, fearing they might lose their job. Now, we are seeing more firefighters take leave for injuries or post-traumatic stress, and management is starting to recognize and support these needs.”
Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who has discussed these issues with Fire Department managers and colleagues, supports the shortened workweek. Her main concern is funding the additional cadet class. She suggested that budget cuts could come from various Parks and Recreation Department programs.
Kelly noted the current 24-hour on, 48-hour off shift pattern. “Firefighters often have little time to decompress before returning to family life,” she said.
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