COVENTRY, R.I. (AP) — Firefighters in Coventry say they're being asked to remove U.S. flags from their fire trucks.

The firefighters say it started last year when Central Coventry Fire District Chairman Fred Gralinski likened their display of the flags on the back of the trucks to something the Islamic State group would do.

Gralinski apologized Thursday, saying he chose his words poorly.

David Gorman, president of the firefighters' union local, says the district board recently adopted a policy that the fire chief must approve any stickers or decals applied on the trucks.

He says the policy made no mention of flags, but he says he's still being asked in private to remove them.

Gralinski says there's no order to remove the flags.