Austin Fire Department

The city and the Austin Firefighters Association agreed to a tentative deal back in October, before firefighters backed out of the agreement. Now, they've passed a contract with a new schedule that aims to boost recruitment.

Emergency officials say there is no threat to campus, but they are still asking people to avoid the 2900 block of the I-35 service road.

Following weeks of tension, an "insulting" offer from the city and some social media drama, the city and the union have an agreement.

A lawyer representing the firefighters union called the city's proposed wage increases insulting compared to what it pays EMS and police.

Austin police spent nearly double their allotted budget for overtime last year. The fire department spent more than anticipated, too. That could change in the new budget.

Reducing the minimum number of firefighters per truck from four to three would save the city about $8.3 million in overtime pay. But the firefighters union said the reduction would put people and firefighters at risk.

Ninety-three percent of the 993 union members voted in favor of a no-confidence resolution.

The cause of the blast, which was felt miles away, is under investigation by the Travis County fire marshal.

Police, fire and EMS officials say growth and road construction are contributing factors.

The new nearly 400,000-square-foot building will house the city's three public safety agencies — Austin Fire, Austin Police and Austin-Travis County EMS. The building sits south of Zilker Park.