This webpage provides educational information for Round Rock residents in light of a proposed City Charter amendment related to staffing levels and performance objectives for the Round Rock Fire Department, which will appear on the May 2026 General Election ballot as “Proposition B.” If you are looking for information on the proposed City Charter amendment related to electronic billboards, view the Prop A – Electronic Billboards page.
The petition for Proposition B was submitted by an individual named Bill Clifton on behalf of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 3082 in November 2025. It proposes amending the City Charter to include specific requirements related to fire staffing, response times and penalties, including references to NFPA 1710.
The City completed its verification process and confirmed that the petition meets the requirements of state law, including the required number of valid signatures from qualified Round Rock voters. As a result, the City Council approved ballot language for the proposed charter amendment at its Jan. 22 City Council meeting. The measure will appear on the ballot for the election to be held on May 2, 2026 in accordance with the Texas Local Government Code.
Ballot Language
The ballot language for the proposed amendment is the following:
PROPOSITION B
SHALL THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, BE AMENDED TO ADD ARTICLE XVI TO REQUIRE THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK FIRE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE NFPA 1710 MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR ALARM ANSWERING, ALARM PROCESSING, TURNOUT, AND TRAVEL TIMES; REQUIRE PHASED DEADLINES BETWEEN 2027 AND 2037 FOR COMPLIANCE; REQUIRE A BIENNIAL ANALYSIS FOR COMPLIANCE TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF); AND REQUIRE THE WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY BY THE CITY FOR ANY ENFORCEMENT SUITS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE?
YES ____
NO ____
Proposed Amendment Language
The language at the link below is the full text of the proposed Charter amendment based on the petition submitted to the City:
About Charter Amendments
The City of Round Rock is a home-rule city, meaning it operates under a City Charter that functions as the City’s local constitution. The Charter establishes the City’s form of government, the powers of City Council and certain foundational rules that guide how the City is governed.
A Charter amendment is a change to that governing document. Under Texas law, amendments to a home-rule charter may only be adopted by voter approval at an election. Once approved, the amendment becomes part of the Charter and has legal authority that supersedes ordinances and administrative regulations adopted by City Council, provided it does not conflict with state or federal law.
Q&A
Can City of Round Rock firefighters participate in political campaigning?
IAFF Local 3082 is a separate, member-based firefighter association affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters, not a City department. Under Texas law and City policy, City of Round Rock firefighters may engage in political activity in a personal capacity but cannot do so while on duty, in uniform or using City resources.
Do firefighters currently have a seat at the table to ensure city leaders invest in public safety?
Yes. The Fire Chief and his administrative staff have a standing monthly meeting with the IAFF Local 3082 Executive Board, to discuss policies, procedures, safety, benefits and resource needs that are incorporated into the annual budgeting process.
Round Rock firefighters also have a voice in decision-making through the City’s Civil Service system and the Meet and Confer process with their association. Meet and Confer allows City leadership and firefighter representatives to negotiate on pay, benefits and working conditions. Components of the agreement also require that certain policy changes be mutually agreed upon by the association and Fire Chief.
The most recent agreement, completed in September 2025, was approved unanimously by 125 members of the association. At that time, the now interim president of the association’s executive board publicly stated: “This outcome reflects compromise, respect and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for everyone involved. We’ve proven that collaboration can lead to solutions that work and benefit everyone. This is a great city to work for, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
What investments has the City of Round Rock made in its Fire Department in recent years?
The City of Round Rock dedicates a significant portion of its General Fund to Fire Department operations. The Round Rock Fire Department’s operating budget (not including capital investments in new equipment or facilities) grew from $27.9 million in FY2022 to $40.7 million in FY2026, reflecting a 46% increase. During that same period, per resident funding rose from $224 to $280. Of the current FY2026 operating budget, approximately $36.8 million, or 88%, is allocated to salaries. Round Rock City Council approved a budget to fund the following this year:
- 6 new firefighter positions
- 7.5% increase in pay in FY2026 and FY2027, and a 9% increase in pay for FY2028 for most of the City’s firefighters, with assignment pay additions (firefighters who have already reached the highest step in the pay scale will receive a 5% increase for all three years).
- Two new fire stations in progress to meet growing service demands (Fire Station 10 and Fire Station 11)
- Voter-approved upgrades to the Public Safety Training Center
- Backup blocking unit to improve scene safety on major roadways
Fire Station Investments
Since FY2017, Round Rock has built three replacement fire stations (Stations 4, 3, and 1) and opened two new stations (Stations 8 and 9), while also beginning construction of Station 10 and acquiring land for Station 11, which will require new staffing once complete. Additionally, the Fire Department maintained Station 4 and Central Fire Station for logistics and administration.
How many firefighters staff Round Rock’s engines currently?
Each engine and aerial apparatus currently has 4 firefighters assigned per shift, but the department’s minimum staffing level is 3. When personnel use sick, vacation or other leave, these apparatus are allowed to operate with 3 firefighters. Achieving consistent 4-person staffing isn’t as simple as adding one more position per truck — new hires also earn vacation and sick time, which impacts daily availability.
On average, three of the Fire Department’s 11 fire trucks (formally referred to as aerials, engines and rescues) on the street had 4-person staffing from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025. During the same period in 2024, the department averaged 1.88 units per day with four-person staffing. On days with high chance of wildfire or weather-related threats, staffing is often increased.
In addition to the 11 engines, aerial and rescue units in service, the department staffs two squad units daily. The squad program has enhanced response capabilities for medical calls, which make up the vast majority of total incidents. While squads could be removed to achieve additional 4-person staffing outlined in NFPA 1710, this program was developed based on the high volume of medical calls received by the Round Rock Fire Department.
How does the Round Rock Fire Department respond when a house fire is reported?
When a residential structure fire is reported in Round Rock, the Round Rock Fire Department sends a full team of firefighters and equipment. The standard response includes:
- 4 fire engines with a minimum of 12 firefighters
- 2 ladder trucks with a minimum of 6 firefighters
- 1 rescue unit if available with a minimum of 3 firefighters
- 2 Battalion Chiefs to oversee operations
This brings at least 20–23 firefighters to the scene, depending on whether a rescue unit is available.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the national benchmark for house fire response at 16 firefighters if no ladder truck is used and 17 firefighters if a ladder truck is used. That means Round Rock Fire Department’s response always meets or exceeds these standards, ensuring enough personnel are on scene to conduct rescues, extinguish the fire and protect nearby homes.
What is the City of Round Rock’s plan for future staffing levels?
The Fire Department’s current five-year operating plan includes projections for adding 33 more firefighter positions—15 to staff the new Fire Station 11 and 18 to build on existing staffing levels—at a projected cost of more than $14 million through FY 2030. While these numbers would need to be approved on an annual basis by City Council as part of the regular budget process, these are approved numbers the City is using to project staffing levels for long-term planning.
What is NFPA 1710, and to what extent do cities adopt it in full as a binding policy?
NFPA 1710 is a consensus standard published by the National Fire Protection Association that defines performance benchmarks, staffing, deployment and operational requirements for fire departments.
The Round Rock Fire Department already uses NFPA standards in its policy requirements for turnout times, and consistently exceeds the on-scene minimum staffing benchmark for residential structure fires. The Fire Department also uses NFPA 1710’s benchmarks in its existing strategic planning efforts to work toward improved travel times and long-term staffing needs.
While NFPA 1710 is widely recognized as a national benchmark or reference in the fire service, it is rare for jurisdictions to adopt or enforce it in its entirety in a legally binding sense.
Other Helpful Information
ISO Class 1 Rating
Round Rock Fire Department has earned and continues to hold the highest possible rating (Class 1) from the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, which is issued by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), since 2021. This rating reflects excellence in fire protection, water supply, emergency communications and preparedness.
Current Staffing Levels
The Round Rock Fire Department has a total of 186 uniformed firefighters, with 154 staffing engines, aerials and other response vehicles that respond directly to emergencies. Firefighters work a 48 hours on / 96 hours off schedule, rotating across three shifts, to provide continuous, around-the-clock coverage.
Round Rock is a department of choice for professional firefighters. The department currently has received around 1,000 applications for the position of Firefighter Cadet.
Key Numbers
- 15,656 total calls for service in 2024
- Of those, approximately 35 were structure fires, which equals 0.3% of call volume – compared to the national average of 3.9% (U.S. Fire Administration).
- 0% fire fatality rate – no fire-related fatalities in recent years
- Zero line-of-duty fatalities in department history
Resident Satisfaction
Community survey data by the ETC Institute shows the following satisfaction levels with the Round Rock Fire Department:
- Overall Satisfaction: 90% of residents surveyed responded that they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the City’s fire services. This is higher than both the Texas average (64%) and the U.S. average (76%), making it one of the strongest-performing services offered by the City.
- Trends Over Time: Resident satisfaction was 86% in 2010, 90% in 2022 and 90% again in 2024.
- Service Level Expectations: When asked if fire response services should change, 25% of residents said it should be higher, while 74% of residents said service should stay the same. Meanwhile, 80% noted they would like to see service levels be higher for maintenance of infrastructure in the city.
