See our previous coverage of this story
Chester City, Pennsylvania Firefighter James Krapf is getting a second day of suspension for refusing to remove an American flag sticker from his locker. Fire Commissioner James Johnson is not backing down from his order that all decorations be removed from the outside of lockers. He talked to a reporter at WCAU-TV:
“We wear the American flag on our uniform…it’s flying outside that station,” he said. “It is not about the American flag or patriotism.”
For his part, Krapf said it was “a matter of pride”.
Here is more in excerpts from Joelle Farrell’s latest article at Philly.com:
The clash over the flag started as an attempt to squash arguments in the firehouse. Johnson directed all 61 firefighters to clear the outside of the lockers this summer after a black firefighter posted a cartoon that some found offensive.
The firefighter, Robert Butler, said today that he posted the cartoon, which showed two black men and included language that could be considered racial slurs, as a protest. Butler, 48, who is black, said he feels that some white firefighters have tried to get him in trouble during his 15 years with the department.
Johnson, who is also black, removed the cartoon after another firefighter complained. Butler then posted a sign that read, “Black man has no free speech.”
Butler was suspended for a day when he refused to remove the sign. He took it down the following day.The directive, which ordered firefighters to keep the outside of lockers “free of alteration,” was announced Aug. 14 and went into effect Aug. 29. Firefighters can keep family photos and other personal items inside the lockers.
Firefighter Krapf's locker from WCAU-TV.
Also on STATter911 …
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- Handling the bad news: Estero, Florida firefighters say chief ordered them to leave fire engine & serve alcohol, topless at private fundraiser. Fire commission extends stories life with vague answers. – December 20, 2011
- FDNY EMS Chief John Peruggia first to take a fall for snowstorm. Read the news coverage. – January 6, 2011
Comments
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I am as patriotic as they come, but a rule is a rule Mr Firefighter
Out of curiosity, does anyone know the wording of the regulation concerning displays on the lockers? I notice that there are two other labels on the locker, in addition to the flag. Not to split hairs, but if the regulation states NO displays, then I guess that means names and numbers too.
Flag Code
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
An American flag is not a “personal item”. It is a public symbol and patriotic gesture of our great country and its FREEDOM! The American flag is universally accepted in our country, and can be displayed ANYWHERE in the US. The American flag is exempt from these rules, prohibiting promotion of an individual agenda.
The reason that Mr. Krapf’s flag was ordered down in this circumstance is because of the prejudice and racism of comissioner James Johnson, believing that Mr. Krapf’s US flag somehow represents opposition to our current liberal administration.
Chill out folks. Rule is rule. They also have a rule that says no stickers on the walls, no stickers on the windows. Do we make an exception for every sticker rule just because the sticker is the flag?
Read around, you’ll find what’s really going on is the union trying to get sympathy.
WAY TO GO JAMES! Say it loud and say it proud! We are happy to be Americans and living in America. If anyone finds that offensive, they are welcome to leave. Stick to your guns buddy!
Nancy – Humble, TX
ITS NOT ABOUT HIS PATRIOTISM! IT IS ABOUT BLATANTLY VIOLATING A DIRECTIVE SET FORTH BY THE FIRE COMMISSIONER! He was told to remove all stickers! HE DID NOT! So his punishment is just! NOW if he was the stand-up guy that everyone is wanting he would have used the proper channels AFTER this incident, without going to the media, and discussed having Flag stickers on the outside of your locker. The locker is city property. LIKE IT OR NOT! If its not yours, you have to comply! They did not remove the flags from their uniforms or tear down the flag poles in front of all the stations.
Great reply Scott……you truly are a real Brave American ZERO….
And what brings you to that uneducated deduction HOOKMAN!?
HOOKMAN! I fought for our country under the very flag that he is wanting to display, my father and his father and his father also did! I wear the very same flag on the right breast of my uniform shirt. I have the very same flag on display (properly) on my mailbox post. That FF violated a directive…period.
That flag is a symbol of freedom! Signing up to be a firefighter is a selfless act to serve and protect their own community. There are also amazing heroic soldiers that sign up to go to war and they are no doubt heros but,what about our hero’s that serve us while they are gone? Fire Fighters save people lives here, they have in a sense their own war right here they save the lives of your moms and your dads and your children yet they don’t seem to get the same amount of respect. I’m sorry but there is a huge difference between an American Flag and some stupid comic strip.. It is an AMERICAN FLAG!!! It should be able to be hung where ever someone want to especially with the state of our country and that fact that we have so many brother and sisters our defending our freedom! The very freedom that flag repressents!
Thank you to our first responders! May God keep you safe