Maitland City Talk

Why so much concern about fireworks?

“Safety” is the state of being “safe,” the condition of being protected against physical, [and many] other types or consequences of failure, damage or any other event that could be considered non-desirable. Safety can also be defined as “the control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable level of risk.” So says the website Wikipedia.

When it comes to the concern for public health, safety and welfare, some things change little from year to year. Such is the case in the matter of the public’s view of and desire for consumer fireworks. “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change,” is an assertion made by Dr. Wayne Dyer, and one that if applied to the public’s view about fireworks, could have profound affects toward changing and improving the public’s health, safety and welfare when it comes to fireworks.

Because of this, it is necessary to repeat certain information and cautions to the public at large. Knowledgeable fire officials for many years have been united in their opposition to the general public’s access to and use of consumer fireworks — although legal in many states.

Why have Florida’s fire officials been patently clear about how they feel regarding consumer fireworks? Each year, related to New Year’s and July 4 celebrations, to name just two events, the fireworks issue is ignited (no pun intended). And what’s changed in all these years? As a brief answer, not much.

In Florida we have no such thing as legal “consumer fireworks,” and yet each year people and property are harmed by the effect and illegal use of these fireworks. Most of the fireworks are purchased out of state and transported back to Florida. To better understand why this is the case, one needs to know what consumer fireworks are.

Loosely described, consumer fireworks are any explosive device that goes “boom,” “bang,” and/or leaves the ground following ignition or explosion. In 2008 and 2009, articles presented by the Florida Fire Marshal’s and Inspectors Association (FFMIA), the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and untold others invited readers to acquire a better understanding of this very significant and potentially debilitating activity. It was recommended that the public consider the position and data amassed by the premiere life safety organization in the U.S., the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of Batterymarch Park, Mass.

To learn more about fire safety, visit http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/FireworksExecSum.pdf or http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/pdf/Fireworks_Enforcement_Guide_2004_brochure.pdf

That national organization publishes data on this and all facets of fires and fire safety across the nation. (See its 2010 report in box.) For other information about Florida’s fireworks, go to the SFMO’s website and download the consumer safety brochure.

In that report, it notes that in 2008, 7,000 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms, which represents an increasing trend since 1996, except for two years of spikes and one year of a decrease. In that same year of 2008, there were an estimated 22,500 reported fires started by fireworks, resulting in one civilian death and 40 civilian injuries, and represented $42 million in direct property damage.

The plain and simple truth is — Consumer fireworks are dangerous! The public education division of NFPA reports comparative information relative to the risk of injury in very understandable terms:

Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, wood burns at 575 degrees and glass melts at 900 degrees. But the simplest of fireworks legally permitted in this state are sparklers, and they burn at 1,200 degrees.

The highest rates of injuries per million were for teens between the ages of 15 and 19 and young children ages 5 to 9. The report continued by pointing out that the risk of fire death relative to exposure shows fireworks to be the riskiest consumer products for death due to fire.

Florida law makes it “…unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks…,” less certain exemptions that include sparklers. (s.791.02)

Let’s make this year 100 percent injury free. If you enjoy fireworks, go see them at a commercially presented and licensed show. But don’t do them in your neighborhood, where injury and property damage to friends, neighbors and loved ones can occur.

For information or questions about this important matter, please call your local fire department or Maitland Fire Department at 407-539-0774.

—Bart Wright, CFPS

Assistant Chief/Administration

Maitland Fire Rescue Department

City Council Meeting of June 25

The Maitland City Council met on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting.

Consent:

• Approved various Council and Advisory Board Minutes.

Purchases and contracts approved:

• Contract with Blue Ox Enterprises for $27,849 for improvements to the gravity sewer system on Lake Lucien Drive

• Purchase of a generator from ACF Standby System for the amount of $45,175 to replace the generator located at Water Plant No. 4

• Contract with NU Environmental Development, LLC in the amount of $98,520 to construct the Lake Eulalia Water Quality Improvements

• Contract with Burgess and Niple in the amount of $33,200 to conduct a feasibility study as phase I of engineering services for the Grove Street Stormwater Improvements

Decision:

David O’Connor and Phillip Senderowitz were reappointed to the Police Officers & Firefighters Pension Trust Fund Board.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, visit itsmymaitland.com