EMFD Commissioners Warn Against Solicitations Misrepresenting the FD

The East Meadow Fire District Commissioners advise residents to beware of a solicitation sent
through the mail requesting donations to a 2024 Annual Fund Drive. Commissioners warn that the mailing from the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, which has a Houston, Texas-based return address, is not from the East Meadow Fire Department. The fire department conducts its
annual fund drive via mail, which includes a return envelope addressed directly to the East Meadow Fire Department or by direct door-to-door residential contact via volunteer fire department members who carry an official EMFD identification card.

“Using the word ‘firefighter’ in an organization’s name doesn’t mean we are associated with that group,” Commissioner John Priest explains. “We have no affiliation with the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, nor have we received any funds from them.” Commissioner William Neill added that
the EMFD never asks for donations via telephone.

According to Charity Navigator, a leading national charity rating organization, the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance has a poor rating of zero stars (43 rating out of 100).

Commissioners advise residents that there are certain things to look out for to see if a letter asking for donations is legitimate, including the official letterhead of the fire department, an email, local phone number and local return address. Residents can also call the East Meadow Fire Department’s non-emergency number, 516-542-0578. The fire department also accepts tax-deductible donations online at www.eastemeadowfd.com.

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.