Agenda Item Wording:
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Receive the 2023 4th of July Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Detail report presented by the Visalia Fire Department.
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Deadline for Action: 8/7/2023
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Corbin Reed, 559-713-4272
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council receive the 2023 Illegal Fireworks Education and Enforcement Detail Report.
Background Discussion:
This report provides City Council with a summary of events and activities conducted throughout the City of Visalia pertaining to the 2023 Illegal Fireworks Education and Enforcement Detail.
Beginning on June 29th, local non-profit fireworks booths were permitted to open and begin selling safe and sane fireworks. For many of these organizations, fireworks sales comprise most of their funding to sustain operations throughout the year. Fireworks booths are inspected prior to opening and are only permitted to sell safe and sane fireworks. The number of permitted safe and sane fireworks booths is set by City ordinance and based on population. This year, 27 safe and sane fireworks booths were permitted in the City of Visalia. Safe and sane fireworks are relatively quiet, non-disruptive, and typically enjoyed by families until about 10:00 pm. Fountains, sparklers, smoke balls, and ground blossom flowers comprise the majority of safe and sane fireworks used throughout the community. These are very distinct and different from the illegal fireworks that create the danger and angst in the community.
In the weeks leading up to the 4th of July, the Visalia Fire Department proactively hung approximately 2,000 informational door hangers in targeted neighborhoods. These door hangers provided the public with information compiled from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) intended to deter the purchase and use of illegal dangerous fireworks, the reporting number for the Illegal Fireworks Hotline, as well as information regarding the rewards program for reporting the sales of dangerous fireworks. Additionally, 41,000 mailers were included in the utility bills sent to Visalia citizens. Furthermore, the Communications Divisions presented a comprehensive and wide-ranging campaign through the City’s website, social media channels, and platforms like Inside City Hall. During the 4th of July campaign window of June 18 through July 4, the City’s Facebook and Instagram posts related Celebrating Freedom Safely reached a total of 258,500 users.
During the month of June, calls for complaints of the use of illegal fireworks increased from 66 in 2022 to 71; a 7% increase. In July, specifically in the days before and right after Independence Day, calls for complaints again decreased with 647 in 2022 and 530 in 2023.
Year to date, there have been approximately 662 reports of illegal fireworks use. There were 794 reports during the same period in 2022. Where calls for complaints may not directly indicate a decrease in the use of illegal fireworks, this data may indicate approximately a 20% decrease in illegal fireworks activity throughout our community. The sense that illegal fireworks use had decreased this year was also noted by patrol units in the field. Patrol units report witnessing fewer large amounts of fireworks being set off, and instead found smaller amounts being discharged. Although use remained consistent in some areas with past years, most areas patrolled had a noticeable decrease.
Once again, a call center was operated from the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) during peak hours on July 3rd and 4th. The Call Center allowed for an additional 332 calls to be received and properly routed without inundating Emergency Dispatch services. This year’s calls into the call center surpassed calls received by Dispatch. Ten city staff members were dedicated to receiving and entering call information to be routed to patrols in the field. Complaint information entered by call center staff shows up in real time on the mobile data terminals of the patrols in the field. Each call is indicated by a “target” icon in the area, or in some instances the address, where illegal firework use is reported. This target icon decreases in size as time passes indicating which complaints are more recent and which complaints are older.
Beginning in late June, and continuing through the Independence Day Holiday, dedicated patrol units were assigned to patrol the city for illegal fireworks use. Leading up to July 3rd and 4th, patrol units focused on areas identified as high-use areas throughout the community. This determination was made by analyzing complaint data from 2022,complaints received prior to the detail, as well as reports received during the patrol hours. On July 3rd and 4th, patrol efforts were focused on areas of high call volume or in areas where high use was witnessed by patrol units. Patrol units are not dispatched to specific addresses and some patrol/citizen interactions require the attention of multiple patrols for officer safety. During the patrol period, 67 citations for use/possession of illegal fireworks were issued totaling $140,000 in fines.
An increase in fire related calls was experienced in 2023 over the last couple of years. Seven structure fire responses, four tree fires, four grass fires and six trash bin fires were dispatched on the 4th of July. Most of these responses were related to the improper use or disposal of illegal and/or safe and sane fireworks.
The Community Services Department successfully partnered with community stakeholders on events throughout the community to celebrate Independence Day safely. The events were largely well attended and a breakdown of participation in each event is included in the included presentation. Lastly, the Animal Services Division experienced a total of 55 animals impounded, the same as in 2022, with 18 being reclaimed this year compared to only five in 2022.
Fiscal Impact:
Citations for illegal fireworks use and/or possession start at $2,000 for the first offence, $3,000 for the second offence, and $4,000 for three or more offences.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required; information only
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: 2023 Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Detail Report PowerPoint