Two firefighters accused of vandalizing fire house will keep jobs

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Two of the Milwaukee firefighters accused of vandalizing Engine House 32 (near 30th and Vliet) will keep their jobs.

David Krebsbach and Robert Rutley were both suspended for five days without pay, but they only had to serve two, as long as they completed a special program.

One admitted to hanging up inappropriate signs, and the other to bringing pornography to the station.

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.

The Milwaukee Fire Department's Board of Investigation recommended five other firefighters be fired for their behavior.

Two probationary firefighters were also let go.

They presented the Fire and Police Commission with a petition containing 1,253 signatures to get their jobs back -- but a Milwaukee Fire Department Administrator told FOX6 News the decision to dismiss the two involved consideration of their entire probationary term, including the alleged vandalism for which they were present.

The Administrator says the department is adhering to that decision.

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