EMFD Commissioners Warn Residents of Potential Fundraising Scam

EAST MEADOW, NY — July 11, 2025 — The East Meadow Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners is cautioning residents to beware of telephone solicitations falsely claiming to solicit donations on behalf of the fire department. The East Meadow Fire Department only requests donations by mail through its annual fund drive, or by in-person contact with volunteer fire department members who carry an official EMFD identification card. The volunteer fire department does not request donations by phone. The East Meadow Fire Department also accepts tax-deductible donations online at www.eastemeadowfd.com.

"If you receive a phone call requesting a donation for the East Meadow Fire Department, please be aware that it is not legitimate,” stated Commissioner William J. Neill. "We encourage you to be cautious and not provide any personal or payment information such as credit card numbers or bank accounts over the phone and report any such calls to the EMFD dispatcher at 516-542-0578 and give your name, date and time of the call, and if possible, the originating phone number.”

"We are grateful for the continued support of our community and want to make sure your generosity is not taken advantage of. Your support means a lot to us," added Commissioner Keith J. Hoffman.

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.