Agenda Item Wording:
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Pre-Fourth of July Presentation by Fire Department - Presentation on pro-active efforts being undertaken to deter the use of illegal fireworks.
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Deadline for Action: 6/17/2024
Submitting Department: Fire Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Corbin Reed, 559-713-4272
Department Recommendation:
Receive a presentation on the 4th of July fireworks detail focused on deterring the use of illegal fireworks.
Background Discussion:
As Independence Day draws closer and celebrations begin, the Visalia Fire Department is coordinating pro-active City efforts to implement Council policy and deter the use of illegal fireworks.
In 2021, Council substantially increased the fines issued for the use of illegal fireworks in the City of Visalia. The fee structure now begins at $2,000 for the first violation, escalates to $3,000 for the second violation, and to $4,000 for the third violation and each additional violation. Violations are tracked over a three-year period meaning, if a resident received a citation last year for $2,000, and is cited again this year, this year’s citation will be for $3,000.
For the 2024 fireworks season, the Fire Department is again focusing on preventing the use of illegal fireworks within the City of Visalia. Multiple social media messages were designed and have been shared across all City of Visalia social media platforms. Banners with information pertaining to fines for the use of illegal fireworks have been hung at all Visalia fire stations, and posters with fine information and how to report the use of illegal fireworks have been hung at all City facilities with public access. The website, www.visalia.city/celebratesafely, has been updated and provides a map showing the locations of all permitted Safe and Sane fireworks booths in the City of Visalia. Additionally, the website provides safety tips for safe and sane fireworks use and pet safety. The website also provides the address of each fire station to encourage citizens to anonymously drop off illegal fireworks at Visalia fire stations for safe disposal.
Fire department personnel will again be hanging door hangers in the neighborhoods of the community impacted by illegal fireworks use. Door hangers will be placed in areas with high reports of use this year and in areas with high numbers of citations last year. The purpose of the door hangers is to provide community members with statistics on illegal fireworks use, information on the fines for the use of illegal fireworks, and the phone number to report the use of illegal fireworks. Again for 2024, approximately 41,000 mailers have been added to City of Visalia utility bills. These mailers will have the same information as the door hangers and are being added as an additional means of informing the public of the City’s illegal fireworks prevention efforts.
A call center will again be operating the evenings of July 3rd and 4th. The call center consists of 10 dedicated call-takers inputting the reports of illegal fireworks into a mapping system that feeds the information directly to patrol units in the field. The call center serves two purposes. First, the call center lowers the illegal fireworks burden on Dispatch during this exceptionally busy holiday and allows dispatchers to focus on standard operations and calls for service. Second, the call center provides a robust system for citizens to report their concern to a City employee with a minimal amount of wait time. Citizens can report illegal fireworks use by calling 559-513-8080. Reporting a specific address is most beneficial, but a general location, such as cross streets, may also be provided.
Currently, reports of illegal fireworks are down when compared to the same period of 2023. There will be dedicated patrols throughout the month of June with an increase around the Independence Day holiday. Staff are partnering with the Visalia Police Department for both preventive efforts and enforcement during patrol details. Each dedicated patrol unit will consist of a Visalia Police Officer and Visalia Fire Department member.
Enforcement, prevention, and education efforts will again be a joint effort across the county with neighboring departments working together to combat illegal fireworks use throughout the valley.
In 2021, Council directed Fire Department staff to implement a rewards system as an incentive for citizens to assist with enforcement efforts. This rewards system provides a $500 reward for information leading to the citation of individuals selling illegal fireworks within the community. This rewards system is intended to help catch individuals who are selling illegal fireworks in our community and potentially reduce the amount of illegal fireworks used within the community.
Illegal fireworks pose a great danger to our community, not only endangering citizens’ properties by increasing the risk of grass, tree and fence fires, but they also increase the risk of structure fires that can and have turned fatal. During the Independence Day holiday time our resources are stretched thin not only because of the extreme weather that comes with this time of year, but the increased fires and medical aids that also rise during this time. The use of illegal fireworks needlessly puts our community at risk, tying up valuable resources that could be handling other emergency traffic such as medical aids. One structure or grass fire can rapidly deplete our Emergency Services City wide, putting others at risk and causing significant delays in response.
Fiscal Impact:
Cost for the 4th of July detail will be the personnel costs for staffing the call center and the dedicated patrols, and the material cost of the mailers.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No Motion required
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: PowerPoint presentation