EMFD Commissioners Issues Warning About Phony Donation Letters

The Board of Fire Commissioners is warning residents about a fake letter soliciting donations.

The letter is being mailed to residents across Long Island and asks for money supporting the fire department's annual fund drive.

"The letter is from an organization called the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance Charity and looks like a statement and asks for money by a certain date," said Commissioner James Surless. "A legitimate fund drive letter from the East Meadow Fire Department will have our letterhead on it along with a local East Meadow return mailing address and a local phone number."

Commissioner Surless also noted that the fire department's annual fund drive is already in progress, and solicitations requesting donations have already been mailed out to residents. He further stated that the fire department does not ask for donations by phone. Anyone with questions regarding a solicitation letter received in the mail can call the fire department's non-emergency number 516-542-0578.

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury (Salisbury), is always looking for new members to join their ranks as firefighters or emergency medical personnel; no experience is necessary. The fire department provides the training required. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering, including tax breaks, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance, and a service award pension program, all at no cost. For more information on volunteering with the East Meadow Fire Department, visit www.eastmeadowfd.com, or call 516-542-4565.