Austin EMS Association

Way to go Commander Fitzpatrick!

This takes us to an on-scene call with Field Commander B. Fitzpatrick when he was just a rookie! Can y'all name the other medic with Cmdr. Fitpatrick? Fun fact, Commander Fitzpatrick is currently our highest tenured Field Commander with over 30 years at ATCEMS. Who remembers when Fitz was a rookie?

The Austin EMS Association is sponsoring a blood drive with our friends at We Are Blood along with Council Member Zohaib Qadri to support those impacted by the 6th street shooting.

Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of support and if you're available to donate today please stop on by to benefit a good cause!

The Austin EMS Association stands with Lieutenant Suzanne LaFollette. Our first responders deserve better. Austin Firefighters Association

Austin Firefighters Association Calls on City to Stand With Lieutenant Suzanne LaFollette in Occupational Workers Comp Cancer Appeal | Time is Now for Texas to Align with Federal Workers Comp Coverage for Female Firefighters

AUSTIN, February 11, 2026 – This week, Lieutenant Suzanne LaFollette will appeal the City of Austin’s denial of her workers compensation claim for occupational cancer. The Austin Firefighters Association urges the city to do what is right and stand with a firefighter who has given nearly two decades of service to this community.

“Lieutenant LaFollette has spent her career protecting lives and property in Austin. She has fought countless fires, responded to hazardous materials incidents, and worked in environments saturated with carcinogens and toxic exposures,” said AFA President David Girouard, “Today, she is fighting stage four ovarian cancer that is directly linked to her service as a firefighter.”

“The science is clear,” President Girouard continued. “Over the past decade, research has confirmed the elevated cancer risks faced by female firefighters. As of January 10, 2025, federal standards explicitly recognize ovarian, uterine, cervical, breast, and basal cell carcinoma as high-risk occupational cancers for firefighters. These cancers now receive the same presumptive treatment long afforded to male firefighters for occupational cancer claims.”

Lieutenant LaFollette’s appeal represents a pivotal moment. “This appeal is Austin’s chance to lead in Texas and stand up for what’s right by recognizing and supporting all firefighters facing occupational cancer. We hold out faith in this process and ask the city to join us as we stand with Suzanne.”

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT: AFA Vice President Robert Tijerina, Director of Communications and Public Relations, 512.567.7217, [email protected]

While many Austinites stayed warm indoors this past weekend, our crews were out in the community answering 911 calls and providing care to those who needed it.

One crew went beyond patient care to show that, above all, we are human. Clinical Specialist J. Traxel and Clinical Specialist J. Welsh responded to a call involving an elderly diabetic patient experiencing low blood sugar. During the call, they discovered the family of 8 did not have enough food for the weekend, or to care for their diabetic family member.

CS Traxel and CS Welsh recognized the family needed care beyond medicine. After clearing the call, they went grocery shopping for essential staple foods to help support the family through the inclement weather.

Thank you to CS Traxel and CS Welsh for your compassion, generosity, and your commitment to caring for your Austin community.

You can read more about CS Traxel and CS Welsh in this article from yesterday:

ATCEMS paramedics buy food for diabetic family during winter storm While on a call, an Austin Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) crew bought food for a family stuck inside during a medical emergency, helping an elderly diabetic woman stay safe during this winter storm.