VWFD doesn’t endorse phone solicitation

Van Wert Fire Chief Jim Steele says telephone solicitations purportedly on behalf of a national firefighters organization are not endorsed by either him or his department.

“We have received a couple of reports from city residents of phone solicitations for a national firefighters benefit,” Chief Steele noted. “Details are limited, but needless to say, our department does not endorse this type of solicitation nor are we affiliated in any way with this organization.”

The fire chief added that his department would receive no funds from the telephone solicitation.

Chief Steele did note, though, that his department does do one fundraiser a year in the spring through the Columbus company Creative Safety, which the local department partners with for fire prevention materials and programs for the local schools.

The fire chief noted, though, that the local solicitation is done in person by firefighters and each solicitor will have a letter signed by Chief Steele endorsing the project.