Flag nets suspension for fireman

CHESTER, Pa. -- A Chester City, Pa., firefighter was suspended without pay for a second day after he again refused yesterday to scrape an American flag decal from his locker.

A battalion chief also might be in trouble, after he refused the fire commissioner's request to remove the flag last night.

The clash began after a black firefighter posted a cartoon that showed two black men and included what could be considered racial slurs. It was removed after another firefighter complained.

That led to a directive ordering firefighters to keep the outside of lockers "free of alteration." They can keep family photos and other items inside their lockers.

James Krapf, 31, took down two other stickers from his locker Thursday but refused to remove a small U.S. flag in the upper left corner. He was sent home.

Battalion Chief John Powers said Fire Commissioner James Johnson called him last night and told him to scrape off the sticker, but he refused. Powers said he expected he would be reprimanded.

Krapf said he was not sure how far he would press the issue.