(NEWSnet/AP) — An aide to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin asked first-responders to avoid using lights and sirens in requesting an ambulance be sent to Austin’s home, after he had complications from surgery.
Austin was hospitalized Jan. 1 and admitted to intensive care after developing an infection a week after undergoing surgery. He was released Jan. 15 from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
On the Jan. 1 call to Fairfax County Department of Public Safety, a man who identified himself as a government employee described Austin as “alert.” The identity of Austin and the caller were redacted from a copy of the 911 audio, which was obtained by The Associated Press under Freedom of Information Act.
In the four-minute call, the reason for needing the ambulance also was redacted. The caller said Austin was not having chest pains.
“Can I ask, like, can the ambulance not show up with lights and sirens? Um, we’re trying to remain a little subtle,” the aide said, according to the recording.
A dispatcher responded that the ambulance would comply when it got near the home.
“Usually when they turn into a residential neighborhood, they’ll turn them off,” the dispatcher said, adding that emergency sirens and lights are required by law on major roads when ambulances are responding to a call.
Austin was located on the ground floor of the residence, said the aide, who indicated he would be waiting outside for the ambulance.
Details of the 911 audio file from the Fairfax County Public Safety Department were first reported by The Daily Beast.
As he recovers, Austin will be working from home. His doctors said he “progressed well throughout his stay and his strength is rebounding." They said the cancer was treated early and prognosis is “excellent.”
Austin, 70, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery to treat cancer, which had been detected earlier in the month during a routine screening.
President Joe Biden and senior administration officials were not told about Austin's hospitalization until Jan. 4, and Austin kept the cancer diagnosis private until Jan. 9.
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