Fire Chief discusses nine firefighters on administrative suspension

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing went before the Fire and Police Commission on Thursday evening, October 3rd. This, after nine Milwaukee firefighters were placed on administrative suspension earlier this week. Chief Rohlfing was before the FPC for an unrelated matter, but did speak with the media on the suspensions.

"I'm disappointed, disappointed and just like everyone else, I have that feeling like what in the world they be thinking to do something like this in their workplace," Chief Rohlfing said.

Sources say the firefighters from Engine 32 at 30th and Vliet were upset about the sudden retirement of their captain and a decision to break up their group.

As payback, sources say the firefighters vandalized the station -- targeting co-workers they did not like.

Sources say the firefighters defecated on personal equipment, urinated on lockers and threw a dead mouse into a locker.

Chief Rohlfing provided some new details on Thursday, saying prior to the vandalism, an internal investigation was nearly complete on the fire station's captain.

"We were investigating that individual and we found some things that broke our code of conduct, when we looked at our policies and procedures. He chose to retire," Chief Rohlfing said.

Chief Rohlfing says that set off a chain of events.

The fate of the firefighters is expected to be decided within the next two weeks.

Chief Rohlfing said he did not expect any criminal charges, but says that option remains open.

"If we find any need to turn it over to another authority, then we will do that immediately," Chief Rohlfing said.

Chief Rohlfing also cleared up some details of the vandalism. He says everything that occurred in Engine 32 could be cleaned up.

Whether the firefighters end up at City Hall before the FPC themselves depends on what kind of punishment the department dishes out.