City Council
MEETING DATE: 8/8/2018
TITLE:
Title
2018 Fireworks Program Recap
End
FROM:
Paul Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
For information and discussion only.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Cathedral City has an ordinance permitting the annual sale and discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks in Cathedral City, during the July 4th holiday period.
The ordinance was implemented to accomplish two objectives;
First; to provide funding to cover the City expenses of public education and police enforcement related to fireworks; and
Second; to allow qualified non-profits an opportunity to recover youth-oriented funding that was eliminated during previous City budget reductions.
The “Safe and Sane” fireworks program is open to six non-profit groups.
DISCUSSION:
“Safe and Sane” firework sales are permitted from noon on June 28th until 10:00 p.m. on July 4th.
The use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks may commence at noon on June 28th and must cease by midnight on July 4th.
Aerial and exploding fireworks are always prohibited by state law and local ordinance.
2018 Fire and Police Response Summary:
Between July 1st and July 4th, 2018 a total of 111 9-1-1 calls were received by Dispatch related to fireworks. The Police Department responded to all calls for service.
The Cathedral City Fire Dept. was dispatched to the following emergency incidents from 12:01 a.m. on July 1 through 8:00 a.m. July 5, 2018;
July 1st - 20 incidents, none related to fireworks.
July 2nd - 11 incidents, none related to fireworks
July 3rd - 18 incidents, none related to fireworks
July 4th - 17 incidents, 5 fireworks related (see summary below)
July 5th - 14 incidents, 1 related to fireworks
No delays were experienced by the fire department units responding to reported emergency incidents.
Below is a summary and description of the F.D. emergency responses:
1. July 4: Rio Del Sol (Sunny Ln. west of Da Vall Dr.), Vegetation Fire: Hay bail and small hedge ignited by fireworks. Extinguished by Engine Company.
2. July 4: 31355 Ave El Mundo, Vegetation Fire: Palm tree on fire at front of residence. Extinguished by Engine Company.
3. July 4: 69233 Peachtree, Vegetation Fire: Palm tree on fire at front of residence. Extinguished by Engine Company.
4. July 4: 68130 Molinos, Rubbish Fire: FD units arrived to find an extinguished fire outside a trash enclosure of discarded fireworks, fire was extinguished by homeowner.
5. July 4: Landau Blvd x Vista Chino, Vegetation Fire: Palm tree on fire. Extinguished by Engine Company.
6. July 5: 33255 Date Palm, Trash Receptacle Fire: FD units arrived to find a dumpster inside a trash enclosure on fire. Extinguished by Engine Company.
Between June 30, 2018 and July 5, 2018, the Police Department Communications Center received 878 emergency calls via 911 and 3,059 non-emergency calls for service during the 120 hour deployment period.
A total of 111 fireworks related calls for service were initiated by dispatch and the police department responded to all 111 calls for service. Evaluating the 111 fireworks calls for service that were created in dispatch, 55 of the 111 calls for service were reported by community members and 56 were called in by officers as on-view activity. A total of 23 citations were issued for illegal fireworks between July 2nd and July 4th, 2018.
Two Code Compliance Officers worked on July 4, 2018 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight enforcing the use of fireworks. They issued 4 citations, administered 7 verbal warnings, and Police Officers and Code Compliance Officers confiscated 600 pounds of illegal fireworks.
The Fire Department stepped up enforcement awareness. In additional to billboard advertising, we utilized social media and signage along arterial roads. The Public Works Department created and installed signs at the following locations:
• Eastbound Dinah Shore Dr. before the bridge
• Westbound Ramon Rd. after the cemetery
• Eastbound Ramon Rd. at the bridge
• Southbound Date Palm Dr. at the Vista Chino intersection
Social media resulted in the following positive results:
• 201,187 impressions (ads that were served)
• 1,066 clicks on impressions (.53% “click-through rate”)
• Responses received were 7.57 times the national average of ad responses.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $3,191. “Safe and Sane” fireworks program fees, received from each qualified non-profit, represents the actual costs for administrative tasks, public education advertising, inspections and additional police officers for enforcement of fireworks.
ATTACHMENTS:
2018
2017
2016