While the search for missing victims continues as the death toll rises after historic flooding in Kerrville, a local firefighters' union is taking aim at their chief for delaying the response to assist.
Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker is facing a 'no confidence' vote from the firefighters' association, according to KVUE.
Austin Professional Firefighters Association blasted Baker's decision on its Facebook page.
"It is absolutely outrageous that the Austin Fire Chief, Joel G. Baker, would not allow highly trained firefighters from Austin to respond to Kerrville. Because of this egregious dereliction of duty, LIVES WERE VERY LIKELY LOST BECAUSE OF CHIEF BAKER’S DECISION!"
Baker issued a statement to the media explaining his stance.
"The decision about how to allocate resources to help our fellow Texans is not a simple one. It requires communication from public safety partners on the ground to ensure we are providing resources and personnel when, where and how they are most needed.
“The Austin Fire Department must also prioritize having sufficient resources in our own community given the unpredictability of this weekend's storms and the risk for catastrophic flooding in our immediate area.
“In an effort to strike that balance, AFD deployed three rescue swimmers on Friday, July 4 to serve with the Texas Task Force 1 helicopter search and rescue team (HSART) to perform water rescues in San Angelo, Kerrville and Seguin. On Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, two crews, eight total fire personnel, and an AFD boat, were assigned to assist ESD."
