Austin firefighters do a job many simply can't and now they're asking the city of Austin for some help once they've retired.
Becky Brooks was an Austin firefighter for 25 years. Now she lives off her firefighters pension fund.
"We're in a spot now where we don't go out and work overtime. We don't go out and work extra jobs. This is our income," she said
In 1995 the city of Austin agreed to add 2 percent each year to the amount of money in the Austin Fire Department pension fund. Firefighters like Brooks were told they could count on the increase indefinitely, but when it came time to renegotiate the contract in 1999, the city stopped paying.
"You know we negotiate for something and we in good faith get something and then 'how dare!' I thought it was vindictive of the city," Brooks said.
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AFD pension
A proposed bill would provide Austin with $1.5 million a year to add to the pension fund for firefighters.
 
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City council member and former Austin firefighter Mike Martinez said the pension means everything to firefighters and understands why some of his former colleagues are upset. Martinez does not receive money from AFD's pension fund because he resigned to run for office.
"This is part of what we say to them, because of the service you provide, this is the guarantee we make to you that when you retire we are going to take care of you," Martinez said.
In order to make the city pay the 2 percent increase, Austin firefighters are now taking their fight to the State Capitol but they need the city council's support.
"I think they make a valid point and I would like council to consider that," Martinez said.
If the bill wins approval at the Capitol, the 2 percent rule would equal $1.5 million a year for the city.
"We would like to see those changes made at the state so we can book on them, so they're staying in place," Brooks said.
