Kennett Fire Department warns of unauthorized solicitations

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Fire Department is warning against unauthorized solicitations of the public for charitable donations.

According to fire marshal Scott Tutor, the department has not authorized any organization to solicit donations for the department as the annual calendar is the only fundraising in which the department actively participates.

The Kansas City-based solicitor is using the name of the "City of Kennett Fire Department" as well as citing the "local firefighters' union" and other lesser-known, but official-sounding firefighter and first responder charities and organizations.

The solicitors also may talk about fallen firefighters as well as the families they left behind or insisting that donations "will go directly to providing better equipment that will ensure the safety of the men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to save your home, your possessions and even the lives of your family members."

The callers also may try to imply that residents will be better protected if they are willing to make a donation to emergency personnel.

For example, residents may be told that emergency police or fire response to their house will be faster.

The truth is that contributions to these organizations - or their fund raisers - will have no effect on the level of protection police and fire departments provide.

According to fire chief John Mallot, "the Kennett Fire Department has not authorized this activity and we most certainly are not a part of it."

Chief Mallot requests residents contact the Kennett Fire Department at 573-888-5412 if they have been solicited for a donation by anyone using the name of the Kennett Fire Department or the local firefighters' union.

Please provide fire officials with details of the request.

"The Kennett Fire Department never solicits donations by telephone and warns area residents to beware of aggressive telemarketing by callers who falsely claim to represent firefighters," Tutor said.

Residents should thoroughly research any charitable organization before making a donation.

If there is any question about an organization and its relationship to the fire department, contact the them directly.

Pertinent address:

Kennett, Mo.