Fireworks discussed at Electric City

Fireworks won’t be banned from Electric City, the result of a discussion last week considering such an action by the city council.

Citizen and firefighter Ken Dexter told the city council Aug. 13 that he was speaking for himself and Electric City Fire Chief Mark Payne when he made a few points against a possible ordinance outright banning fireworks within city limits.

“The main reason we are against this fireworks ordinance is we don’t want to drive people outside the city,” Dexter said. “My main concern is we don’t want to drive people out of our area into the dry brush and grass, because they WILL buy fireworks and they WILL shoot them off.”

“Why make an ordinance when we as a fire department don’t have a problem with the fireworks?” Dexter continued. “I’ve been a firefighter 40-plus years; only a couple real small fires have been started with them. Chief Payne said he can’t remember any since being appointed chief.”

Dexter also said that since the fire department isn’t an enforcement agency, they couldn’t seize fireworks. He also spoke against shutting off a revenue source for local business H&H Grocery, which sells fireworks in the summer.

Later in the meeting, Councilmember Birdie Hensley brought up a rumor that fireworks could still be allowed at North Dam Park, a popular spot for shooting them off in years past. They weren’t allowed this year after the Bureau of Land Management took over the fire management of the Bureau of Reclamation-owned park.

Dexter said that, yes, a permit could be obtained to light off fireworks 90 days before an event, and that the city of Grand Coulee simply found out too late to acquire a permit for the Fourth of July this year.

Diana Parrish, Electric City resident and deputy clerk at city hall, also spoke against the possible ordinance.

“I’m not against (fireworks),” she said. “This is my country. I celebrate my country on the Fourth of July. I think people have the right. I’d hate to see the town stop fireworks here. I agree with the fire department.”

Councilmember Aaron Derr spitballed some ideas with the group.

“I don’t think a ban is what we need to do,” Derr said. “I think we need to look at other options.”

Those included designating a place for fireworks, such as the Ice Age Park soon to be constructed, where fire trucks could stand by.

Or offer a permit that people could buy to light off fireworks, the money from which could pay for cleanup.

“We definitely need someone cleaning up afterwards, it looks like hell on the fifth,” Derr said.

Councilmember Rich McGuire reminded the council that there were citizens who had complained about the fireworks in the past, and they needed to be considered, as well.

Derr also brought up that dogs aren’t big fans of fireworks.

The group seemed to believe that allowing fireworks on July 4 and on New Years Eve into New Years Day would be the way to go, although they hadn’t reached a clear conclusion concerning permits.

The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office reported Monday that they had received 331 reports of fireworks-related incidents from hospitals, clinics, and fire agencies in Washington State for 2019 to date.

“Of the 331 incidents, 297 were reported to have occurred between June 28 and July 5, the legal sales and discharge period for consumer fireworks in Washington State,” the release said. “The majority of injuries were caused by individuals holding fireworks while they were lit or standing too close to fireworks once they were lit.”

“Although the sales and discharge period for consumer fireworks in Washington has concluded for this season, the SFMO would like to remind residents to enjoy consumer fireworks in safe and responsible ways to avoid injuries and fires.”