About Austin Fire
Austin Fire, which was founded on September 25, 1857, provides our community with the services to not just meet their expectations, but to exceed them whenever possible. Responsive, high-quality public safety provided by dedicated Austin Fire personnel build community capital in our department—the “profit” we make in exchange for those services—which directly determines the level of trust our various stakeholders have in the department’s leadership to make decisions in their best interests.
Austin Fire is now one of the 20 largest departments in the country, with 54 fire stations located throughout the city and more than 1,300 employees. The department responds to more than 100,000 calls annually, with approximately 70 percent medical in nature.
Other calls include fires, hazardous conditions, and rescues (cave, high-angle, rope, vehicle, structural, etc.). The Austin Fire Prevention Division performs approximately 25,000 building safety inspections annually. Firefighters inspect approximately 11,000 hydrants per year.
The department's arson arrest rate is four times the national average, and we contain 82 percent of structure fires and 92 percent of apartment fires to their room of origin, meaning less spread and damage.
Learn about the structure of our department through our organizational chart.
Austin Fire Executive Team
Joel G. Baker, Austin Fire Chief
Chief Baker has served as the head of Austin Fire since December 2018.
An Atlanta native, Joel G. Baker began his professional fire service career with the City of East Point Fire Department (Georgia) in 1986.
Fire Chief Baker holds several degrees, including an Associate of Applied Sciences in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Policy Studies from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbus State University, and is a graduate of Harvard’s Senior Executive Education in State and Local Government program.
Thomas Vocke, Chief of Staff
Chief Vocke, a native of Dayton, Ohio, has more than 28 years with Austin Fire. Prior to his appointment to Chief of Staff, Chief Vocke served as an Assistant Chief, overseeing Operations, Logistics, Facilities, Risk Management, Training and Wellness. His career progression also includes assignments in Education Services, Wellness and the Fire Marshal's Office.
Chief Vocke received his Associates from Barton County Community College before earning a dual bachelor's in political science and history from Texas State University.
Andre de la Reza, Assistant Chief
Chief de la Reza grew up in South and Central America before moving to Austin in 1990. He joined Austin Fire in 2001 and currently oversees the Fire Marshal’s Office (Special Events, Engineering Services, Inspections), Communications & Dispatch, Business Technology, Public Information and Public Relations/Special Projects.
Chief de la Reza is pursuing a master’s degree in public safety leadership and administration.
Jeffrey Kennedy, Assistant Chief
Chief Kennedy joined Austin Fire in 1997. He retired from the United States Air Force reserves as a Deputy Fire Chief. He oversees the Homeland Security, Special Operations, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and Wildfire Divisions.
Chief Kennedy has a master’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Ronnelle Paulsen, Assistant Director
Dr. Paulsen joined Austin Fire in 2012 and manages the Finance, Human Resources, Planning and Data Analytics, and Administrative Support Divisions. Prior to that, she was a Division Manager at the Austin Police Department over Planning, Crime Analysis and Records beginning in 1998.
Dr. Paulsen has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Arizona.
Les McKay, Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Les McKay has more than 30 years of service with Austin Fire. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Member Services, overseeing Training, Risk Management, Wellness, Medical Operations and Safety.
Chief McKay has served in a wide range of operational and administrative roles, including division chief of Training and Risk Management, battalion chief in Operations, Safety, Wellness, and Education Services, as well as assignments as a captain at Education Services, Field Training Officer and Station 8.
Chief McKay holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from Austin Community College, which he earned through the Austin Fire’s professional development partnership with Austin Community College.
Phil Mueller, Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Phil Meuller has more than 24 years of service with Austin Fire. His tenure includes 20 years of Operations firefighting, eight of which were spent in Special Operations. Chief Mueller also spent time in the Fire Marshal's Office, Fire Communications and Education Services. He oversees Operations and Logistics.
Chief Mueller holds a Master Structure Firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and three higher education degrees, including a Master of Public Administration from UT Tyler.