Council Bluffs firefighters says firing for prank was too harsh

A boyish prank has cost two southwestern Iowa firemen their jobs, but they’re appealing to be re-hired.Two Council Bluffs firefighters have filed an appeal after they were fired for playing a practical joke on a co-worker. According to papers filed by the Council Bluffs Fire Department, David Pryor, a 12-year veteran, and Michael Hasse, a two-year veteran, made a vulgar sign and placed in on a co-worker’s car. No one complained, but the chief fired the men anyway. The men’s lawyer says the chief over-reacted. He says firefighters play jokes on each other all the time as a way of relieving stress. And, he says Pryor and Hasse meant no harm with their joke. The Council Bluffs Civil Service Commission will review the case in May.