Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department’s firework fundraiser signs stolen from I-40

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — The Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department is hoping their 14th annual fireworks fundraiser will be successful despite the theft of three of their signs along I-40 last week.

The VFD’s fireworks sale fundraiser has grown from a fireworks tent that helped raise enough money to build a modest station and purchase some firetrucks to what is now a major funding source that keeps the department going, Grassy Fork VFD Chief Walt Cross explained.

On June 27, the crew noticed business slowed down, which led Cross to investigate and discover that three signs that were along the west side of I-40 had been stolen.

“I went out doing some investigating and saw the signs have been stolen and we found some other signs that weren’t as big,” Cross said. “There’s some smaller signs we put up and so we’re able to at least do some pointing now, but it’s not the same signage that we had initially put up.”

According to a Cocke County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the signs were located along I-40 between mile markers 447 and 451. The report states there were signs on both sides of the highway, but only the signs on the westbound side of the highway were taken. Cross said the signs that were taken each cost around $50 each, but the bigger problem is that the signs are what alert many of the customers to the fundraiser as they drive along I-40.

“It’s just hard to believe that someone would go and steal from fire department, so you know you’re trying to sell fireworks to make money to protect the community, and someone steals that, that someone steals those signs.”

The fundraiser is taking place at the Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department’s Hartford, located at 4110 Big Creek Road from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day until they run out. Cross said the VFD is offering competitive pricing. There is no sales tax and active first responders and military members can receive a 10% discount with ID.

“100 percent of the funds go for our fire department. We make $0 off of it. We stay there 24-hours a day, whether we’re selling fireworks or they’re just protecting our trucks, which are set outside because we can’t have the trucks inside with the fireworks. And so 100 percent goes back to our community and fire protection,” Cross said, adding that the VFD also response to crashes, medical calls and wildland calls.

While it might seem ironic that a fire department is selling fireworks, Cross said since they’ve started the annual fundraiser, they have not had a fire and have only had one very minor injury.

“I started as a firefighter down in Chattanooga area 44 years ago, and when they find that I’m selling fireworks, those guys give me a hard time,” Cross said. “It’s actually a better situation where we’re able to educate the community about fire prevention. It’s all about prevention and where we’re able to train those folks through coming in, giving them literature, talking to them and helping to prevent a fire or prevent an injury.”

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