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Illinois fire chief dismisses firefighters for displaying flags on helmets, lockers

An Illinois fire chief, who initially fired some firefighters when they refused to remove flags and other decals from their helmets and lockers, now appears to ...
flag photo from Dept of Defense

An Illinois fire chief, who initially fired some firefighters when they refused to remove flags and other decals from their helmets and lockers, now appears to have had a change of heart.

Firefighters at a station in Maywood, Illinois put American flags on their lockers after Fire Chief Craig Bronaugh ordered the removal of an American flag the firefighters purchased with their own money, according to WGN.  The firefighters said they weren’t told why they were required to remove the flag, so they put American flags on their lockers.

That’s when Bronaugh reportedly ordered all Maywood firefighters to remove all decals and stickers, including those representing the American flag and military insignia, from helmets and lockers.  Those who refused were relieved of duty and sent home.

Bronaugh defended the mandate as part of his strategy to quash a culture of racism in the department, but firefighters said his evidence – a picture taped to a locker, showing a monkey smoking a cigarette – was actually part of a joke among a few firefighters and had no racial undertones.

After meeting with Bronaugh on Wednesday, September 10, the dismissed firefighters were reinstated and the chief appeared to have a change of heart, saying “After review, I made a decision to put department-issued flags on every locker and in every locker room,” according to the report.

Union reps filed a complaint with the labor relations board, alleging Bronaugh created a hostile work environment and that he falsely accused a firefighter of racism.  In addition, they are asking for the chief to resign.

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