AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Firefighters Association is petitioning to solidify 4-firefighter staffing per truck in the city charter . This would go on the May 2026 ballot.

What we know:

Four-person staffing became city ordinance in 2018. Right now, every truck has four firefighters, but the union wants to make sure that doesn't change depending on the budget.

That petition is also to add an amendment to the city charter that prevents "browning out," or shutting down neighborhood fire stations, unless the city can show severe financial crisis.

This comes after the city manager and fire chief proposed allowing 3-person crews on some units during budget negotiations. It would save $8.3 million in overtime.

They have to get 20,000 signatures from registered voters in Austin to get the

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