With the current debate on a potential fireworks ban in Bonney Lake, I’ve been asked to share my experience and position on the issue.
Yes, this year’s weather was outside what our normal early July weather pattern. Summer started well before July 5th. But weather aside, the Fourth of July is always a busier day for fire departments.
This year on the Fourth of July, 20 percent of our call volume district wide was attributed to fireworks. An average day (24 hour period) in East Pierce Fire and Rescue is about 28 incidents. In 2015, we responded to 49 incidents on July 4th, compared to 37 in 2014.
Some people may ask “what’s the big deal if the fire department has to put a few more brush fires?”
It’s risky business responding to any 911 call. Accidents happen, and when they do, they are often catastrophic when they involve a fire engine. I’ve seen what a fire engine can do to a car when they collide. You wouldn’t want your family to be in that car. Nationwide, vehicle accidents responding to and returning from alarms is one of the larger killers of firefighters. Every additional alarm just creates another opportunity to have an accident.