Firefighter Hung Brown Fetus Figurine From Neck At Station: MFD

MILWAUKEE, WI — A plastic figure of a brown fetus hung by a pink ribbon that was tied and knotted around its neck has led to disciplinary actions against several Milwaukee Fire Department officials, the department said.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark A. Rohlfing said a Milwaukee firefighter found the figurine outside during the course of a fire call. "He was curious about what it was, cleaned it off and showed it to other firefighters."

The fire chief said the figurine was discovered hanging from a bulletin board on Feb. 13 at Fire Station No. 2. It was taken down, but not before several others in the station noticed it, he said. Station 2 is located in Milwaukee's Downtown at 755 N. James Lovell Street.

Patch has decided not to include a photo of the plastic fetus and ribbon in this article due to the sensitive nature of the image itself. The image can be seen here. (WARNING: Some may find the image disturbing) The photo was taken during Thursday's press conference.

"Hanging the figurine was inappropriate and wrong," the chief said Thursday. He also said the firefighter who hung the figurine came forward.

An internal investigation ensued and Milwaukee Fire Department officials notified the Milwaukee Fire and Police commission of the investigation on May 15. The fire chief said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic significantly slowed the pace of the investigation.

Rohlfing said the firefighter in question, and a total of 11 others will face internal disciplinary charges related to the incident.

Rohlfing did not say which firefighters were to be disciplined, and declined multiple times to say what those disciplinary charges were, citing each member's due-process rights within the department.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the incident was "disgusting."

The Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters issued a statement, saying: "The Brotherhood of Firefighters stands with all firefighters who are affected by this racist act, even those who are not of African American heritage. There must be a change in the department culture at all levels. The negative effects of racist behavior that is often ignored is often followed by discrimination and disenfranchisement which has gone on far too long and has become far too acceptable."

Milwaukee fire officials said the entire fire department will be undergoing department-wide anti-harassment training in the next few months.