Description
Title: Briefing on staffing forecasts for Austin Police, Austin Fire, and Austin- Travis County Emergency Medical Services. [Lisa Davis, Chief of Police - Austin Police; Robert Luckritz, Chief of ATCEMS - Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services; Joel Baker, Fire Chief - Austin Fire]
Summary
The City of Austin's Public Safety Committee meeting on June 1, 2026, reviewed staffing forecasts for the Austin Police Department (APD), Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS). The legislation focuses on addressing staffing challenges, particularly high vacancy and turnover rates within these departments. Key findings indicate that APD has a vacancy rate of 18.97%, with efforts underway to improve recruitment and retention strategies. The Fire Department maintains a low vacancy rate of around 6%, while ATCEMS has seen fluctuations, with recent vacancies peaking at 25.4%. The significance of this legislation lies in its potential to enhance public safety through improved staffing levels. It affects not only the departments involved