Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Department Illegal Fireworks Presentation - Receive a presentation on proactive efforts being undertaken to deter the use of illegal fireworks while celebrating Independence Day.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Corbin Reed, Fire Marshal, corbin.reed@visalia.gov, (559)713-4272, Dan Griswold, Fire Chief, dan.griswold@visalia.gov, (559)713-4220.
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends Council receive a presentation on the 4th of July fireworks detail focused on deterring the use of illegal fireworks.
Summary:
The Visalia Fire Department will once again be partnering with the Visalia Police Department to perform proactive fireworks education and enforcement during the Independence Day holiday. Life safety and fire prevention is again the primary mission, and messaging will be disseminated to the community through social media and printed materials. Dedicated patrols and a call center will be operational on the nights of July 3rd and July 4th. The call center is available for community members to report the use of illegal fireworks. The information received by the call center is relayed to patrols in the field to focus efforts on where the illegal activity is happening.
Background Discussion:
As Independence Day nears and celebrations begin, the Visalia Fire Department is coordinating proactive City efforts to 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 $3,000. In 2025 a total of 73 citations were issued. Citations were primarily issued on the 4th of July, however some citations were also issued prior to and after completion of the illegal fireworks detail.
For the 2026 fireworks season, the Fire Department is again focusing on preventing the use of illegal fireworks within the City of Visalia. Multiple social media messages are being created and will be shared across all City of Visalia social media platforms. Banners with information pertaining to fines for the use of illegal fireworks will be hung at all Visalia fire stations, and posters with fine information and how to report the use of illegal fireworks will be hung at all City facilities with public access. The website, www.visalia.gov/celebratesafely, 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 any Visalia fire station for safe disposal.
Additionally, approximately 41,000 mailers will again be added to City of Visalia utility bills. These mailers provide citizens with information for use of safe and sane fireworks, as well as the dedicated reporting number for illegal fireworks use. The mailer also contains citation information as a deterrent for using illegal fireworks.
A call center will once again be operating in the evenings of July 3rd and 4th. The call center consists of ten dedicated call-takers inputting the reports of illegal fireworks into a mapping system that feeds the location to patrol units in the field. The call center serves two purposes. First, the call center lowers the illegal fireworks burden on 911 dispatchers during this especially 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, however 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 2025. There will be dedicated patrols periodically through 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.
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 number of illegal fireworks used within the community. In 2025, the first $500 reward was issued for information leading to the successful confiscation of a large quantity of illegal fireworks being sold within our 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, Fire Department resources are often spread thin. Increased activity and celebrations coupled with high temperatures often yield an increase in both structure and wildland fires as well as medical aids, vehicle accidents and other calls for service. The use of illegal fireworks needlessly puts our community at risk by tying up valuable resources that could be handling other emergency incidents. One structure or grass fire can quickly commit multiple fire department units for an extended period and rendering this units unavailable to address other emergencies. The Fire Department does increase staffing beyond normal staffing levels to best manage the increased service demand.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: 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
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments: 2026 4th of July PowerPoint presentation
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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