AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker has announced his retirement, according to a memo released Tuesday.
Baker is set to retire at the end of the month, according to the memo from Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, bringing to an end a nearly 40-year career in public safety and more than seven years leading Austin Fire.
While his official retirement is set for the end of the month, Broadnax says Baker will be out of the office and unavailable for the rest of the month. He's appointed current AFD Chief of Staff Tom Vocke as acting fire chief, effective immediately.
Broadnax praised Baker’s tenure, crediting the outgoing chief with championing new technologies, modernizing systems to improve service delivery, and bolstering both emergency response and firefighter safety. He specifically highlighted Baker's success in workforce development, noting the department currently maintains a low 5.3% sworn firefighter vacancy rate—a notable achievement amid nationwide recruitment challenges in the profession.
"On behalf of the City Council, city administration, and the residents we serve, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Chief Baker for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the City of Austin," Broadnax wrote.
Vocke steps into the acting chief role with nearly 29 years of experience in the fire service. His extensive background within the department includes overseeing fire operations, leading the Fire Marshal's Office and fire prevention programs, and, most recently, serving as chief of staff. Broadnax noted that Vocke's deep institutional knowledge and strong internal relationships make him highly qualified to guide the agency through this transition.
Baker's tenure was not without some friction, including with the rank and file of the department. Last year, the Austin Firefighters Association held a no-confidence vote in which 93% of participating members voted against Baker in a dispute centered on his handling of the deadly Fourth of July flooding in nearby Kerr County. Union leaders criticized Baker for initially declining to deploy swift water rescue teams before ultimately sending personnel and equipment in the following days.
Baker defended his decision at the time, stating it was necessary to maintain adequate local resources amid unpredictable weather in Austin.
Broadnax says the city will launch a nationwide search in the coming weeks to identify a permanent fire chief with a proven track record of leading modern fire and emergency services.
