REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, December 2, 2024, 4:00 PM Austin City Hall Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Enrique Duran II Paul Hermesmeyer AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on November 4, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Discussion of commissioner appointments in 2025, the holdover capacity, and quorum for the Public Safety Commission. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department. Presentation regarding Public Safety Department mental health services and support for sworn staff. Presentation regarding Public Safety Department demographics and diversification efforts. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a Public Safety Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member per City Code 2-1-140-C. WORKING GROUP UPDATES Update from the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group on the plan for sexual assault data reporting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department, at 512-974-2792 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512-974- 2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov).
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 4, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, November 4, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Enrique Duran II Pierre Nguyễn Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Holmes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on October 7, 2024. The minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on October 7, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Nguyễn’s motion, Vice Chair Ruttan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Holmes was off the dais. Commissioners Bernhardt, Hermesmeyer and Orr were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department, including an update on the October 2024 wildfire in East Austin. The presentation was made by Tom Vocke, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 4, 2024 Vice Chair Ruttan requested a follow up on a suggestion to also include those who rent housing in outreach efforts. 3. Presentation regarding the new Public Safety Headquarters by Kimberly Olivares, Financial Services Department. The presentation was made by Kimberly Olivares, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services Department. 4. Presentation regarding the Death Notification Process within Victim Services by Kachina Clark, Austin Police Department. The presentation was made by Kachina Clark, Police Division Manager Victims Services, Austin Police Department and Connie Geerhart, Employee Wellness Program Manager Victims Services, Austin Police Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Public Safety Commissioner to serve on the Downtown Commission as a non- voting member per City Code 2-1-140-C. Discussed with no action. Chair Ramírez indicated the item would be brought back at the next meeting. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Training Academy Working Group on the training academy cadet class audit reports received. Chair Ramírez provided an update. Chair Ramírez and Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo requested the training academy cadet class audit reports include more granular data in a spreadsheet format that would include ongoing updates, a compare and contrast and in progress goals. 7. Update from the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group on planned …
Emergency Medical Services Incident and Response Data FY24 Q4 Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Incidents, Patient Contacts, Transports January 2021 – October 2024 Incidents | Patient Contacts | Patient Transports January 2021 - October 2024 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 1 2 - n a J 1 2 - b e F 1 2 - r a M 1 2 - r p A 1 2 - y a M 1 2 - n u J 1 2 - l u J 1 2 - g u A 1 2 - p e S 1 2 - t c O 1 2 - v o N 1 2 - c e D 2 2 - n a J 2 2 - b e F 2 2 - r a M 2 2 - r p A 2 2 - y a M 2 2 - n u J 2 2 - l u J 2 2 - g u A 2 2 - p e S 2 2 - t c O 2 2 - v o N 2 2 - c e D 3 2 - n a J 3 2 - b e F 3 2 - r a M 3 2 - r p A 3 2 - y a M 3 2 - n u J 3 2 - l u J 3 2 - g u A 3 2 - p e S 3 2 - t c O 3 2 - v o N 3 2 - c e D 4 2 - n a J 4 2 - b e F 4 2 - r a M 4 2 - r p A 4 2 - y a M 4 2 - n u J 4 2 - l u J 4 2 - g u A 4 2 - p e S 4 2 - t c O Incidents Patient Contacts Patient Transports 2 P1 Compliance by District FY24 Q4 Priority 1 Compliance by District FY24 Q4 79.13% 75.00% 72.36% 67.38% 65.57% 69.66% 68.04% 64.86% 88.56% 59.09% 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 % Goal Met 3 P1 Response Interval by District FY24 Q4 Priority 1 Response Interval by District FY24 Q4 12.43 11.88 11.98 13.02 13.25 12.97 13.10 12.68 13.57 10.30 7.10% …
Emergency Medical Services Public Safety Commission Meeting FY24 Q4 Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Medic Openings 38 Field 8 Communication Current EMS Department Staffing Authorized Strength Filled Sworn Sworn Vacancies Vacancies Vacancy Rate 698 595 103 September 30, 2024 Rank EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Communications EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander - Communications EMS Commander - Field EMS Division Chief EMS Medic - Communications EMS Medic - Field EMS Chief Paramedic Practitioner EMS Paramedic Practitioner TOTAL Q4 AVERAGE Authorized Sworn Staffing 4 11 81 29 293 5 40 10 14 206 1 4 698 0 1 3 1 51 0 0 1 8 38 0 0 103 0.00 9.09 3.70 3.45 17.41 0.00 0.00 10.00 57.14 18.45 0.00 0.00 14.76 16.90 2 Sworn Separations Sworn Separations by Type 25 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2 1 1 1 5 2 11 Resigned Retired EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Comm EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander - Comm EMS Commander - Field EMS Division Chief EMS Medic - Comm EMS Medic - Field 3 Sworn Tenure at Separation Sworn Tenure at Separation 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 3 3 1 1 4 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 d e n g i s e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R d e n g i s e R d e r i t e R EMS Assistant Chief EMS Captain - Comm EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS …
Austin Police Department EMPLOYEE WELLNESS Kachina Clark, LCSW, Connie Geerhart, LCSW-S, Sergeant Jennifer Smith • Victim Services & Employee Wellness • Peer Support Sergeant APD WELLNESS TEAM Division Manager • Employee Wellness Program Manager • Fitness & Wellness Program Coordinator • Police Psychologists • Pet Team Handlers • Volunteer Chaplains • Peer Support Officers • Peer Support Auxiliary Officers • Peer Support Retiree Coordinator • Peer Support Retiree Volunteers 2 2 FITNESS AND WELLNESS • Health consults • Fitness, basic nutrition • InBody reading • Educational classes • Monthly webinars • Gym facilities • Communication • Instagram: apd.fitness.wellness • SportsYou app: APD Health and Wellness 3 3 MENTAL HEALTH • Individual Counseling • Psychoeducational Sessions • Debriefings • Group • Individual 4 4 FAITH BASED • Volunteer Chaplain Program • Spiritual support and ministerial services • Weddings, funerals, graduations, & other ceremonies • Officer ride alongs and office visits 5 5 PET COMFORT • Unconditional Furry Love • Office Visits and Special Events “I am finding myself off the clock but still thinking about Pinto and Faith. I have shared my day with everyone in my life and boasted about getting to spend time with them. I just want to let you know how much it means to me to be a participant of this program. It is truly so amazing that this is being provided at APD. So… thank you so much for making this happen. Faith and Pinto literally changed my day and gave me 10-15 minutes stress-free. I even felt moved (and highly emotional) by Faith’s example of resiliency and adversity. She is a role model.” 6 6 INITIATIVES • Wellness series for specialized units • On-site Yoga • Clinical support and consultation • Professional Advisory Committee 7 7 PEER SUPPORT • Critical Incidents/CISM Debriefings • Welfare checks health • Provide resources and support • Assistance with family related issues, substance abuse treatment, and mental “I wanted to thank your team, yet again, for doing what they do…I strongly believe they saved the life of one of my guys…Appreciate it more than I can express.” 8 8 CITY WELLNESS RESOURCES • Blue Cross/Blue Shield: Long-term counseling/behavioral health services through City medical plans, call 888-907-7880 • ComPsych Employee Assistance Program: 1-866-586-1456; guidanceresources.com (organization web id: austintexas.gov) • City of Austin Healthy Connections Division 9 9 Emergency Medical Services Mental Health & Support Services Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff …
AUSTIN PUBLIC SAFETY WELLNESS CENTER Public Safety Wellness Team The Purpose of PIO •Clinic Administrator • Medical Physicians • Psychologists • Program Manager • RN Supervisor • Medical and Fitness Staff •Peer Support Lieutenant •Chaplain Program 2 Medical and Fitness Services Services include: • Annual Physicals • Return to Work (Injuries off and on the job) • Hiring exams • Cardiovascular assessments • Vaccinations • Fitness Services Individual Consults • • Fitness assessments • Academy PT sessions • Infection Control 3 Mental Health Services include: • Confidential evidence-based therapy for employees and their dependent family members o Individual, couples and family therapy o Consultations and referrals to outside treatment options o Mental health crisis interventions • Behavioral health checks • • Psychoeducation provided to all levels from cadets to leadership • Critical Incident Response, Debriefings and After-actions Pre-employment psychological evaluations (ATCEMS) 4
Peer Support • Scope of Work: • Promotes behavioral health, resiliency, and self-care resources. • Assistance during family/work emergencies. • Post-traumatic incident response. • Cadet mentoring. • Outreach to personnel on extended leave. Divine Canines Scope of Work : Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol , while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin. • Divine Canines visit fire stations each week to help alleviate stress for on-duty crews. • Our partner dogs also provide comfort by being present at memorials and other events. Chaplains • Participation in ceremonies and event such as Cadet graduation, funerals, award ceremonies, etc. • Respond to calls placed to the Chaplain Resource Line to provide counseling when requested • Attend Behavioral Wellness training when available
AUSTIN FIRE Public Safety Commission Meeting Demographics & Recruiting Chief of Staff Rob Vires 1 D e m o g r a p h i c s a s o f 1 1 / 2 2 / 2 4 White 827 66% Black or African American 68 5% Hispanic or Latino 288 23% American Indian/ Alaska Native 5 0% Asian 22 2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 4 0% Two or More Races 11 1% Other 23 2% Choose Not to Disclose 5 0% Total 1254 100% 7.4 % (93) Female 0.6% (7) Other 6% Black or African American Hispanic or Latino 23% American Indian/ Alaska Native White Asian 0% 2% 0% 1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Two or More Races 2% 0% Other Choose Not to Disclose 66% 2 For more, visit www.austintexas.gov/joinafd R e c r u i t i n g Racial Equity Statement The Austin Fire Department (AFD) understands that Black, Indigenous, and other People Of Color (BIPOC) have historically been underrepresented in the Department due to structural and systemic racism. This discrimination is not reflective of the direction the Department is going nor a true representation of the Austin community. AFD is committed to centering people of color to ensure there is equitable access to opportunities within AFD, and to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to be their full, authentic selves. To advance equitable outcomes for the community, AFD will lead with a lens of racial equity and healing to ensure hard-to-reach and directly impacted communities receive the resources they need. Race is the primary predictor of life outcomes and we must address racism at its various levels to ensure Austin is a racially equitable city where everyone has a sustainable quality of life. 3 R e c r u i t i n g • Focusing more energy on outreach programs to generate a lasting interest in the Fire service and to engage recruits through this non- hiring year. • A Cadet in Class 138 participated in both Explorers and Pass the Torch – this is the first time! F i r e E x p l o r e r s P o s t 3 7 0 The Explorers (ages 14-20) meet once a month to learn about careers in the fire service directly from members in the Austin Fire Department. P a s s t h e T o r c h …
Austin Police Department Demographics & Personnel Diversification Efforts Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis & Chief of Staff Robin J. Henderson Professional & Sworn Staff Professional Sworn Cadet Demographic American Indian Asian Black or African American Choose not to disclose Hispanic or Latino 2 or more races Native Hawaiian/Pacific Isl White Totals Gender Male Female 0 14 88 9 192 15 0 298 616 201 415 0 44 122 9 381 18 2 927 1503 1321 183 1 2 2 0 17 4 0 14 40 33 9 As of Nov. 19, 2024 2 2 Diversification Efforts • Recruiting Trips: • Prairie View A & M • Texas Southern University • Huston-Tillotson University • Recruiters Attended: • Austin Asian Summit at the Austin American Resource Center • National Night Out • SXSW • Pop Up Events 3 3 Diversification Efforts • Individual Recruiters working with the "APD Youth Program" in partnership with the African American Youth Foundation (AAYHF) which is targeting youth input and recruitment at the following schools: • Travis Early College • LBJ Early College • Northeast Early College • Eastside Early College • Garza Independence • Akins Early College • Ann Richards School for Women Leaders 4 4 Diversification Efforts All-in-one career network for students to get ahead and get hired, find jobs, connect with recruiters, and make career moves. It is a distraction-free career destination for support, info, inspiration, and guidance. Target applicants in specific demographics - female college students and students of color at HBCUs at colleges and universities across the country. 5 5 Diversification Efforts 30X30 • Averaged across the three cycles, 20% of our Cadets are female, versus 11% of the Dept. (151st – 153rd Cadet Classes) • Photo shoots and short video reels centered on female officers and their experiences on the job • Texas Women's University recruiting trips in 2025 6 6 Diversification Efforts • In person recruiting efforts are chosen to maximize diversity and the number • Now under contract have ability to host out of state testing: of applicants • New York City • New Jersey • Puerto Rico 7 7 Diversification Efforts • APPLY NOW!! • APDRECRUITING.ORG 8 8 Austin Police Department Questions?
Emergency Medical Services Sworn Demographics & Diversification Efforts Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff 1 Sworn Ethnicity American Indian/Alaska Native, 1, 0% Asian, 12, 2% Black or African American, 10, 2% White, 413, 71% Choose Not To Disclose, 3, 0% Hispanic or Latino, 133, 23% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Isl, 3, 1% No Response, 2, 0% Two or more races, 5, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Choose Not To Disclose Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian/Pacific Isl No Response Two or more races White 2 Sworn Gender No Response, 6, 1% Female, 155, 27% Male, 421, 72% Female Male 3 Communications Division Ethnicity by Rank White, 17 18 16 14 12 10 8 2 0 Hispanic or Latino, 10 White, 8 6 Hispanic or Latino, 2 4 Black or African American, 1 EMS Captain - Communications EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Commander - Communications EMS Medic - Communications Black or African American Hispanic or Latino White, 5 White, 5 White Black or African American, 1 4 Communications Division Gender by Rank Female, 16 Male, 12 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Female, 6 Male, 4 EMS Captain - Communications EMS Clinical Spec - Comm EMS Medic - Communications Female, 5 Male, 1 Male, 3 Female, 2 EMS Commander - Communications Female Male 5 Field Division Ethnicity by Rank White, 177 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 40 20 0 Black or African American, 5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Isl, 3 Black or African American, 1 White, 89 American Indian/Alaska Native, 1 60 White, 65 Asian, 1 Hispanic or Latino, 8 Black or African American, 2 Hispanic or Latino, 56 Two or more races, 3 Choose Not To Disclose, 2 No Response, 1 Hispanic or Latino, 49 White White, 30 Choose Not To Disclose, 1 Asian, 4 No Response, 1 Two or more races, 2 Asian, 5 Hispanic or Latino, 8 Asian, 1 EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander - Field EMS Medic - Field American Indian/Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Choose Not To Disclose Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian/Pacific Isl No Response Two or more races 6 Field Division Gender by Rank Male, 192 250 200 150 100 50 0 Male, 67 Female, 57 Male, 31 Female, 47 Female, 10 No Response, 3 Female, 8 No Response, 3 EMS Captain - Field EMS Clinical Spec - Field EMS Commander …
