Firefighters Fired For Hanging American Flag Reinstated, Boss Who Fired Them Not So Lucky... The group of firefighters that were asked to take down the American flag and remove patriotic stickers from their helmets have reportedly been reinstated, after being accused of being racist. The controversy began when Maywood Fire Chief Craig Bronaugh issued a directive to his department to remove all stickers and other displays from their lockers and helmets. Bronaugh explained to reporters that he made the decision because of a photograph of a smoking monkey that could be viewed by some as racist. However, no complaints about the monkey had been lodged at the time. According to a local station, that complaint would not have been possible, because the picture that was being referred to was removed from lockers years ago. The firefighter, now a lieutenant, did not understand why anyone would have taken a photograph of the picture in his locker, and held on to it to launch years later. Now, Bronaugh is facing charges of creating a hostile work environment, and some are calling for his termination. While he has only been chief for two years, Bronaugh has worked in the department for nearly twenty. 