The Austin Firefighters Association has overwhelmingly expressed no confidence in Fire Chief Joel G. Baker, with a 93% vote against his leadership following the department's response to deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, over the Fourth of July holiday. The union alleges that Baker delayed or denied the pre-deployment of swift water rescue teams and firefighters to Kerrville despite warnings of the impending flood, a decision they claim may have cost lives. Baker has refuted these claims. The union's president specifically criticized Baker for refusing to send rescue swimmers ahead of the flood, while some sources noted that emergency management failed to act appropriately despite knowing the flood was imminent. Mayor Kirk Watson responded by criticizing the union president for politicizing the tragedy. Additionally, Baker has been noted for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives since becoming the first Black fire chief in Austin, a point raised amid the controversy. The firefighters’ union has planned and executed a historic no-confidence vote with the highest member turnout recorded in its history.