Oct. 25--Two probationary Milwaukee firefighters who were dismissed in the midst of an investigation into vandalism submitted a petition to get their jobs back to the city's Fire and Police Commission on Friday.
Former firefighters Nathan Fager and Joseph Siegert delivered the petition with more than 1,200 signatures to commission executive director Michael Tobin at City Hall.
Fager and Siegert told reporters on Friday that they appreciated the public support they've received and simply want to return to being firefighters.
Fager and Siegert were among nine firefighters who were suspended as the department launched an investigation into vandalism that occurred at Engine House 32 on N. 30th St. during the Sept. 28 overnight shift. That shift was the last before many of the firefighters assigned there were to be transferred.
Two of the suspended firefighters have since retired.
Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing said this week that the two probationary employees were dismissed because the department lost confidence in them. The probationary period for firefighters is 16 months, which includes time spent at the training academy.
Tobin said the commission defers to the chief in matters of probationary employees, who cannot appeal their discipline before the commission.
"When the fire chief makes decisions like this on personnel matters, we rely on his judgment and his perspective," Tobin said, before adding, "We always want the community members to inform us of what they think of our actions."
Tobin said he will forward the petition to the commission's citizen board.
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