The Newton Fire Department warning residents about a company that is falsely claiming to raise money for the fire department.
“Many cities throughout Iowa are getting complaints of businesses trying to sell advertising space and magnets while claiming the proceeds support your local fire department. The Newton Fire Department will never sell you a magnet; we would give them away if we had them,” said Newton Fire Marshal Mike Knoll.
The company that ended up on the Newton Fire Department’s radar happens to be from Moline, Ill., but Knoll said there are other companies that claim to be affiliated with fire departments, too.
Knoll received the news from other fire marshals throughout Iowa. He wants to make sure people know that the only organization the Newton Fire Department works with is the National Fire Safety Council.
As part of the department’s fire prevention efforts, it asks for donations during the summer months for educational material, coloring books, stickers and pencils to give away at Newton schools. The National Fire Safety Council is the only organization that will send out letters asking for donations on behalf of the Newton Fire Department.
“If you or your business are approached by someone wanting you to pay for advertising or they want you to pay for a magnet to support the Newton Fire Department, we did not authorize this,” Knoll said.
Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com