Food run costs Austin firefighter his job
Published: May 28, 2008 at 10:42 AM
AUSTIN, Texas, May 28 (UPI) -- The Austin, Texas, fire chief says he was shocked that one of his firefighters decided to grab a burger before heading out to an emergency call.Firefighter Michael Pooler was fired for a January incident in which he ran over to a fast-food stand next to his fire station before answering a call for help from a woman suffering respiratory distress."Immediate response to 911 calls is the very essence of what it means to be an Austin firefighter. ... Because of his selfish and highly unprofessional actions, he has no right to remain an Austin firefighter," Chief Jim Evans said in a memo released Tuesday.The Austin American-Statesman said the response to the call was delayed by about two minutes and the call was actually canceled after paramedics arrived ahead of Pooler's fire truck.The newspaper said three other members of the truck crew did not leave without Pooler due to rules requiring four firefighters on each run.A spokesman for the 12-year firefighter said an appeal to his dismissal would be pursued.
© 2008 United Press International
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10 comments:
I've personally witnessed local firefighters and EMT's walk out on dinners they paid for and leave lines they're waiting in to go answer calls many, many times.
I don't think any of our local firefighters would ever think
of doing such a thing . I can't imagine someone getting a food order before going on an emergency
call.
Protocol in public service is hard, however it is necessary to follow the guide lines to prevent a breakdown in life saving services and the plan of action.
I can't really knock the local firefighters, to be honest I can't critique them without walking a mile in their shoes. I am involved in volunteer work, however firefighting is not what I do.
As far as the guy in Texas, if the food business had better management, I would think they would have the order ready and maybe even bring it next door to them at a discount.
That being said, if that wasn't possible, and I owned the place I would have thrown the old food out and cooked the entire order over again when they returned and made sure those guys and gals got hooked up with a good meal.
I sure did my share of moaning and groaning about the cost and location of the new firehouse. I'm going to stay away from the negative comments. After citizen participation was allowed at a controlled burn, that helped start a bridge with civil communication and I would like to see that continue.
Ocean City sounds like they have experienced some of the same problems, however they are addressing them. Seems like some(I said some)of the paid firefighters and some of the volunteers just stay at odds with each other. I would like to see that changed, we are supposed to on the same team.
That was no firefighter...that was a jerk in a firefighter's outfit.
i agree with the 1st comment...i've seen them get out of line at wawa and go or leave the sub they ordered there and are waiting on to respond.
9:06 Please update your information before you post. The relationship between the Ocean City paid and volunteers are well on the way to being the best they have ever been. I can assure you both their Chief and officers would not accept anything less than what the public expects. They are not perfect, but well on their way to becoming the best.
BTW Joe, if you have not heard, the Ocean City Mayor and Council, approved the final agreement Tuesday to approve the new chief. The new chief, and the union were seated shoulder to shoulder along with other volunteers front row, it was very impessive.
To Sunnyoc, might be a good start for your new blog interest to request a ride along or visit with the OC fire dept., they welcome most media, stop by 15th street, the new chief is there most of the time.
Way to go Chris Laramore and company
well back to the post i have personally left the food line to answer the call. yeah i dont like doing it, but me being a vollie i have to do what i have to do. i have even seen my hole engine crew jump up from a nice hot dinner at the station grab their gear and jump on the engines. It's what we are here to do. When the pager goes off or the sirens blow we stop thinking about our selves and start thinking about the ones in need.-Hell's Fire.
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