Firefighter May Lose Job After Flying Confederate Flag

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A small-town firefighter may lose his job after flying the Confederate flag from a firetruck during a parade in Albert Lea.

Brian Nielsen says he didn't expect such a backlash when he put the flag on a fire truck belonging to the town of Hartland.

He says he wanted to protest efforts to censor the historic symbol.

Nielsen's fire chief has suspended him.

And town leaders may decide this week if he will keep his job as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.

In a statement today, Albert Lea officials say the Confderate flag does not reflect the values of the city of the city's fire department.