In Fall River, Massachusetts, a July 2025 fire at an assisted living home left 10 dead and dozens injured. At the time, only two of the city’s 10 fire companies met the national standard of four fire fighters per crew. That number has since improved through IAFF advocacy for safer staffing, but the tragedy remains a stark reminder of what’s at stake.
In Austin, the risks are just as real – and the city is now considering rolling back four-person engine staffing, a standard proven to save lives.
“Austin’s safety depends on having at least four fire fighters on every apparatus,” General President Edward Kelly said. “Not only is that backed by science, it was also affirmed by the Austin City Council when they passed an ordinance in 2018 requiring it.”
In July, Engine 20 arrived at a house fire with four fire fighters. They entered, rescued the trapped resident, and delivered lifesaving care before EMS arrived. That rescue, Austin fire fighters say, showed exactly why four-person staffing matters.
They are now taking their fight directly to the citizens they serve, determined to protect four-person engine crews essential to saving lives and keeping members safe.
Four-person staffing saves lives. And the IAFF will always stand up for the safety of our members and those they swore an oath to protect.
general president edward kelly
City Manager T.C. Broadnax and Fire Chief Joel Baker recently proposed reducing staffing from four to three per engine, a move that Austin, TX Local 975 President Bob Nicks said would slow emergency response, endanger residents, and put fire fighters at greater risk.
In response, Local 975 launched a petition to amend the city charter to guarantee four fire fighters per engine and prohibit station closures for budgetary reasons unless the city faces a verified financial crisis. The campaign needs 20,000 certified signatures to qualify for the May 2026 ballot, according to news reports.
“We’re taking our case directly to the citizens,” said Nicks. “We believe Austin residents will stand with us to keep their neighborhoods safe.”
The proposal comes as the Austin City Council works to close a major budget shortfall and prepares for a November tax-rate election. To balance the budget, the city manager proposed more than $8 million in cuts to the fire department’s overtime fund, resulting in a decrease in staffing from four to three.
“They thought if they took something from us, we’d help sell the tax increase,” Nicks said. “It’s about politics, not savings.” He added that city officials misrepresented data to make the department appear unreliable.
Earlier this year, Austin fire fighters say Baker declined to deploy crews during a deadly flood in Kerrville, despite having contracts and specialized training in place. “The state called for us, and we were ready,” Nicks said. “When the chief made excuses that weren’t true, our members knew it, and that’s when we held our largest no-confidence vote ever.”
Nicks was later summoned to the city manager’s office and informed that 48 of the 50 engines would be reduced to three-person crews starting in January. “It felt like a shakedown. They knew the tax reform election was coming and were trying to use it as leverage,” he said. “When we reduce to three-person crews, we lose the ability to rescue and fight the fire at the same time. That’s the moment when lives are on the line.”
Every time we’ve faced a major challenge, the IAFF has been there for us. This is no different. This is about keeping our citizens and our fire fighters safe.
local 975 president bob nicks
Kelly, along with 11th District Vice President Michael Glynn, has fully supported Local 975, joining members at a recent rally and contributing to strategy, funding, and communications efforts. “Every time we’ve faced a major challenge, the IAFF has been there for us,” said Nicks. “This is no different. This is about keeping our citizens and our fire fighters safe.”
The IAFF’s push for safe staffing doesn’t stop in Austin. Across the United States and Canada, the union is leading a coordinated campaign for minimum staffing – raising awareness to ensure every affiliate has the resources to respond safely and effectively. In July, Kelly and the Atlantic Provinces Professional Fire Fighters Association introduced a “4 Fire Fighters 4 Your Safety” campaign. Just weeks later, the fatal Fall River fire brought IAFF leadership to Massachusetts to call for change and reinforce the importance of minimum staffing standards.
“Four-person staffing saves lives,” Kelly said. “And the IAFF will always stand up for the safety of our members and those they swore an oath to protect.”
To learn more about the petition, visit the link here.
