UPDATED: Medfield Fire Chief Cautions Residents Donating to ‘Volunteer Firefighter Association’

Medfield Fire Chief William Kingsbury is cautioning residents about a volunteer firefighter organization soliciting donations around town.

The organization, Volunteer Firefighter Association, has “nothing to do with the ,” Kingsbury told Medfield Patch in an e-mail Tuesday and cautions residents who are being asked for donations.

“We do not endorse it nor do we receive any benefits from it,” Kingsbury said of the Volunteer Firefighter Association. “I am not aware of who this organization is and therefore caution any resident before donating any money to them.”

At Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting, selectmen chair Osler "Pete" Peterson read a memo sent by Kingsbury:

"Medfield Fire Department has been made aware of a telephone solicitation from the 'Volunteer Firefighters of America,' who are seeking donations that they claim will benefit the Medfield Fire Department. I have contacted the attorney general's office as well as the secretary of state's office and they were unable to verify the legitimacy of the organization. We do not endorse this solicitation effort. It has nothing to do with the fire department and does not benefit any members. We ask residents not to make any contributions to this group and suggest any donations that have been made to stop payment if possible."