Dear Editor:
It has come to my attention that the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation is disbanding. This is a shame, they have done a lot of good work over the years.  While this is a sad event, I am disturbed at what they are trying to do as part of closing down. The EFSF owns the old fire truck housed at Station 17 and used for public displays and fundraising.

The Foundations work has included raising money to support the Fire Department (since “sold” to the Fire District) by buying safety and other equipment for our first responders. The donors of these funds were led to believe that was the purpose of the gifts.

Now I hear from a couple well-placed sources that the EFSF wants to give the truck to the Edmonds Museum as well as $60,000 to pay for its upkeep. I have a problem with this on a different levels. One, the money raised from us was not to maintain a relic but buy lifesaving equipment. And two, the truck is just fine where it is. Nobody is looking to have it moved. Then the Museum needs to find a house for it.

I would recommend to the foundation to leave the truck where it is and donate the money to either the Fire District so it can be used for the reasons they solicited the funds or to the Edmonds Police Foundation (full disclosure, I am a member of the EPF), where the money will be used as intended — to help the first responders get the equipment the City cannot afford.

Chris Fleck