East Meadow Fire Department warns of mail solicitations

The East Meadow Fire District Commissioners are advising residents to beware of a solicitation sent through the mail requesting donations to a 2024 annual fund drive. Commissioners of the department are warning that the mailing from the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, which has a Houston-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 said. “We have no affiliation with the Volunteer Firefighter Alliance, nor have we received any funds from them.”

Commissioner William Neill added that the fire department 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.

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 EastMeadowFD.com

The East Meadow Fire Department, which covers East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury 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 the department’s website or call (516) 542-4565.