By Tony Plohetski
Austin American-Statesman (Texas)  

AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin firefighter fired after he delayed a response for two minutes while making a food run told investigators that he did so because he thought, "This is really a nothing call," according to documents obtained Thursday.

"That's why I did it," Lt. Michael Pooler told investigators. "I mean, it'd have been different if it was a box alarm (structure fire call) or, you know, baby chokin' or something."

Officials with the Fire Department's professional standards office interviewed Pooler in March, three months after the Jan. 4 call for a 77-year-old patient in respiratory distress at Austin Regional Clinic near Far West Boulevard.

Acting Fire Chief Jim Evans on May 23 said Pooler's actions demonstrated "a shocking neglect of duty."

According to transcripts of the interview, Pooler told investigators that he had never before delayed a call by ordering food. Documents show he ordered breakfast at the Burger House, which is next door to the Northwest Austin fire station on Spicewood Springs Road where he worked. He also said that he "was hurrying" back to the fire engine.

Another firefighter told investigators that three other firefighters "were sitting there waiting" in the fire engine and that dispatchers tried to check their status at least once.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services paramedics arrived at the call before firefighters and canceled the firefighters' response.

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