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Kokomo fire department doesn't want bottled water donations

Posted at 5:19 PM, Jun 26, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-26 20:16:10-04

KOKOMO, Ind. -- The Kokomo fire chief has asked people not to donate bottled water to the fire department or its employees.

In a June 21 email to the fire department, Chief Nick Glover said “Effective immediately, no Kokomo Fire Department employee is to accept any donation of bottled water from the public.”

Several citizens took screen-shots of the email and asked Call 6 Investigates to look into what was behind the email.

Deputy mayor David Tharp told RTV6 the Kokomo Scanner put out a request on their Facebook page to bring bottled water to area fire departments.

However, Tharp said the fire departments have water coolers and do not need bottled water.

Plus, well-meaning citizens are often blocking emergency vehicles when they park at the fire stations to unload bottled water.

“It’s actually very dangerous,” said Tharp.

Tharp said they want the public to donate to charities that need the water.

The Kokomo Fire Department is directing any bottled water donations to charities like the Kokomo Rescue Mission.

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