Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1 Fireworks Report 1' CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT DATE: September 9, 1991 SUBJECT: Fireworks REPORT PREPARED BY: Harold Ritter, Fire Chief EXHIBITS ATTACHED: Exhibit A - Letter from City of Pleasanton Exhibit B - Letter from City of Fremont RECOMMENDATION: 4VKReceive report FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None BACKGROUND: At the July 8, 1991 Dublin City Council meeting, the issue of fireworks sales was brought up under the Public Comment portion of the agenda. In response this issue, the Dublin City Council requested the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority to prepare a report on fireworks activities. Under current State of California law, Cities and Counties have the authority to allow the sale of "Safe and Sane" fireworks within their jurisdictional boundaries. For several years the City of Dublin, by ordinance, has exercised this authority and permitted the sale of State Fire Marshal listed "Safe and Sane" fireworks. . In 1988 an advisory measure (measure I) , asking if the City of Dublin should ban the sale of fireworks, was placed on the ballot. The measure was defeated by 124 votes (1, 519 yes - 1, 643 no) . It is important to note that the designation of fireworks as "Safe and Sane" is a term originated by the Legislature, not the State Fire Marshal. "Safe and Sane" , therefore, is not a quality statement by the State Fire Marshal; it is a designation given by the Legislature for those fireworks which are on the list of devices allowed to be sold in the state. Fireworks sales are used as a fundraising activity for several non- profit groups located within the City of Dublin. Several groups apply each year for a limited number (1 per 3 , 000 City population) of sales permits. In 1991, seven groups were drawn for permits to sell fireworks in the City. The groups were; Dublin Little League, Dublin Rotary Club, Dublin Athletic Boosters, Briarhill Homeowners Association, South Valley Football, Valley Christian Center, and Tri-Valley Minor Hockey. 'California State Fire Marshal Journal, March/April 1990, Number 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: Ann Henderson CITY C L E R K ITEM NO. 7-* 1 r1:111zl/7 7 T � Groups who applied but were not drawn were; Dublin Irish Guard Band Boosters, Dublin Soccer League and the Soroptimist International of Dublin. The Dublin Historical Preservation Society Association withdrew its application prior to the drawing. The seven groups participating in sales in 1991, sold $183 ,422 . 58, worth of fireworks, of which $91,711.29, represented profits to the seven organizations. In addition to these fireworks booths, the Dublin-San Ramon Lions Club sold Funnerworks, an alternative to "Safe and Sane" fireworks. Since these items do not use any fire or explosive mixtures they are not regulated by the State Fire Marshal's office and did not require a fireworks permit. The Dublin-San Ramon Lions Club sold $2 , 200 worth of Funnerworks for a profit of $1, 030. The City of Dublin is the only City in the Tri-Valley area to allow the sale of fireworks. Two other Cities in Alameda County, Newark and Union City, also permit the sale of "Safe and Sane" fireworks. The City of Dublin does not sponsor any Fourth of July activities. Since the Fourth of July is a traditional time for community celebration, the following information on how surrounding Cities celebrate the holiday is provided. In the City of Pleasanton, the Alameda County Fair provides a public display of aerial fireworks. No other organized activities are scheduled in conjunction with this display. Admission is charged to enter the Alameda County Fair. No additional admission is necessary to view the public display. In the City of San Ramon, the City sponsors an all day outdoor celebration with thirteen local community groups participating in selling various craft, food and drink items. Profits for these groups ranged between $200 to $1, 000. Entertainment during the day was provided as well as a public display of aerial fireworks in the evening. San Ramon estimates 30, 000 people attended the event in 1991. The event cost $30, 000 to put on, $18, 000 of which went toward the aerial fireworks display. There is no admission charge for this family orientated activity. The City of Livermore and the Livermore Area Parks and Recreation District both work with a group called the Fourth of July Committee to put on a similar event. There is, however, an admission charge of $1. 50 for adults and $. 50 for children. The 1991 attendance for the event was approximately 10, 000 people. Approximately twenty non-profit groups sell items at the event. Profits for these groups ranged between $100 to $1, 000. The event cost $30, 000 to put on, $17, 000 of which went toward the aerial fireworks display. Prior to 1989, the City of Livermore allowed people to buy and use "Safe and Sane" fireworks at the event. This use was not allowed in any other part of the City. The use was discontinued after 1989 because of nine "Safe and Sane" fireworks related injuries to people attending the event. Sales of fireworks in the City of Dublin do have an impact on other surrounding Cities. According to City Officials in both Pleasanton and Livermore (where private possession and use of fireworks is not permitted) , several contacts were made with people using fireworks during 1991. Officials in both Cities stated that approximately 95% of those persons contacted indicated they purchased the fireworks in Dublin. In Livermore, several pounds of "Safe and Sane" fireworks were also confiscated by the Police and Fire Departments. Nationally, since the mid-1970s, the toll of serious fireworks injuries has more than doubled. In 1990, 12 ,200 serious injuries were reported to U.S. hospital emergency rooms.2 In 1988, the last year for which national fire statistics could be located, an estimated 441500 fires begun by fireworks were reported to U.S. fire departments. These fires caused an estimated 20 deaths and $41 million in direct property damage.3 In the 1990 study period, sparklers caused the majority of fireworks related injuries to children under the age of five. In 1991, the California State Fire Marshal's office withdrew its listing of sparklers as a "Safe and Sane" firework. As a result, sparklers were not sold in Dublin during the 1991 Fourth of July season. In 1989 fireworks were responsible for 302 injuries and 1, 068 fires in California. A break down of the 1989 statistics show that Alameda County accounted for 60 of these fires as follows: Safe and Sane 13 fires $1, 200. 00 damage Dangerous 38 fires $7, 850. 00 damage Unknown Type 9 fires $7, 750. 00 damage State and National statistics for 1990 and 1991 fireworks related fires are not yet available. A five year summary (1987-1991) of fireworks activities within the jurisdiction of the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority shows the following activity: Safe and Sane 8 fires $ 1, 100. 00 damage Dangerous 26 fires $67 , 400. 00 damage Unknown 7 fires $ 8, 550. 00 damage 2The Times, National Fire Protection Association, Issue #2 , 1991. 3California State Fire Marshal Journal, Issue Number 2 , 1991 In 1991 the following activity occurred within the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority: Safe and Sane 1 fire $ . 00 damage Dangerous 3 fires $ . 00 damage Unknown 1 fire $ 8, 500. 00 damage Due to the hot, dry and windy climate of the Tri-Valley, and the ever present potential for injury, fireworks continue to be a special concern to area firefighters. Each fire jurisdiction in the Tri-Valley area brings in off-duty firefighters and management personnel on the Fourth of July to staff reserve equipment. This overstaffing is due to the special events taking place in some jurisdictions and the historic increase in fire activity on the Fourth of July. Overtime costs for the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority on July 4, 1991 were $1, 296. 50. ti��SAN�o -' CITY OF PLEASANTON \ =� P.O. BOX 520 PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA 94566-0802 = -� JUL 23 1991 .« ¢0 AL41VNE0 4 CITY nr DUBUN July 19 , 1991 CITY OFFICES 123 MAIN STREET CITY COUNCIL City of Dublin 484-8001 Mr. Richard Ambrose, City Manager CITY MANAGER 1000 Civic Plaza 484.8008 Dublin, CA 94568 CITY ATFORNEY 484-8003 Dear Mr. Ambrose: CITY CLERK 484-8235 We all like to celebrate personal accomplishments and IINANCE historical events in a variety of ways. However, sometimes 484-8033 our celebrations result in very tragic and long lasting PERSONNEL memories for the individuals and families involved., 484-8012 An annual celebration that always causes concern for fire CITY OFFICES zoo OLD BERNAL nvE fighters and other emergency services personnel is Independence Day/the Fourth of July. We would like to PLANNING encourage everyone to celebrate in a manner that eliminates 484-8023 or reduces the chances of causing property damage or ENGINEERING injury. The annual sale of "Safe & Sane" fireworks, within 484-8041 the City of Dublin, causes a considerable amount of concern BUILDING INSPECTION for City Officials and Emergency Services Personnel within 484-8015 the City of Pleasanton. COMMUNITY SERVICES 484-8160 The sale, possession and use of all fireworks (even "Safe WATER- BILLING 484-8038 & Sane") is not permitted in the City of Pleasanton. Because of this, our Police and Fire Department Personnel FIELD SERVICES experience numerous contacts with residents and visitors of 3333 BUSCH RD. our City regarding the possession and use of fireworks. SUPPORT SERVICES Approximately 95% of these people say that they purchased 484-8067 their fireworks in Dublin. Almost every contact also PARKS results in negative or hostile feelings on the part of the 484-8056 public because they can't understand why they can buy SANITARY SEWER fireworks in Dublin but they can't use them in Pleasanton �- 484-8061 (or the other cities in the Tri-Valley area) . This two or S R three day period of time results in more negative public 8 484 4-8066 relations for our city than any other time of the year. WATER 484.8071 As you consider your decision regarding the continued sale of fireworks within the City of Dublin, we hope that you will weigh the impact that this decision has on your FIRE RAILROAD AV 4444 E. nei g hborin g jurisdictions. 484-8114 Please remember that fireworks maim, burn, kill and cause POLICE property damage within communities. This is well-known by 4833 13 MAL AVE. emergency response personnel who respond each year to fires 11.0.BOX"9 and emergency medical calls which are caused by fireworks 484-8127 related accidents. EXHIBIT - A Mr. Richard Ambrose, City manager Page 2 July 19 , 1991 Members of the Fire Service and the medical community, who see these tragedies firsthand, are responsible for actively working to reduce the number of senseless accidents by taking an active stand against the private use of fireworks, by supporting public education regarding the dangers of fireworks and by supporting safe alternatives which also raise funds for community organizations. The reasons why members of the Fire Service need to take aggressive stands against fireworks sales and possession speak for themselves: The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that, last year, more than 12 , 400 Americans were reported injured in fireworks-related accidents. Children face the greatest risk. Over 50% of fireworks ' annual victims are under 19 years old. Half of those are 10 years or younger. City Officials and Community Service Organizations must work together to find alternative fund raising activities that can truly prevent needless injuries and property damage. We would like to encourage the City of Dublin to become proactive in this area and to take all actions necessary to prohibit the sale, possession and private use of fireworks in the future. Your cooperation will make our Fourth of July activities much more positive and much safer for many families in Pleasanton, as well as other cities in the Tri-valley area. Respectfully, Deborah Acosta, City Manager GeorgeJ'Withers, Fire Chief JUL 22 JW1 CITY OF DUBLIN City of Fremont Fire Department 4200 Mowry Avenue Fremont, California 94538-1298 July 18, 1991 Richard Ambrose City Manager 100 Civic Plaza F Dublin., VW✓vfOri4Yw -0 50Q Dear Mr. Ambrose, Chief Ritter recently shared with the Alameda County Fire Chiefs the possibility of fireworks sales being discontinued in your agency. The City of Fremont is in its fourth year of fireworks prohibition, both sales and use. The ordinance did not come easily nor was it welcomed without comment in our community. The community as a whole has come to enjoy the calm quiet that has emerged during the last four years. The absence of fireworks booths has made it difficult for the sale of illegal fireworks to occur easily. The service groups who publicly objected have since found other funding sources and haven't been heard from since the ban went into effect. The City of Fremont can share with you our activity statistics if you are interested. I don't envy you having to look forward to a public outcry about fireworks. I do believe you and your community will never miss them once they are gone. Best of luck in handling this very emotional issue. Sincerely, DANIEL T. LYDO Chief of Department DTL:mas c: Chief Ritter, Dougherty Regional Fire Authority City Manager Anderman Fremont Fire Department staff Chief Cole, President, Alameda County Fire Chiefs Association EXHIBIT—B 17Q, �iSU - Lv