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Austin Fire Chief Retires After 40 Years | Texas News
After 40 years in public safety, Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker is retiring August 31st—leaving behind a legacy of modernizing the department, boosting firefighter safety, and cutting the vacancy rate to just 5.3%. Despite a major setback when 93% of firefighters voted no confidence over his handling of a deadly flood response, Baker’s leadership earned praise from City Manager T.C. Broadnax. His successor, veteran Tom Vocke, brings deep operational experience and insider connections to ensure a seamless transition. Meanwhile, Austin is launching a nationwide search for a permanent chief to…
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