Fire Chief Opposed to Fireworks Bill

Westwood Fire Chief William Scoble is among a group of local and state fire officials who have recently spoken out against a proposed bill that looks to legalize the sale of fireworks in Massachusetts.  

The bill would essentially give each community in the state the option of issuing permits to use fireworks and licenses for businesses sell them. For those towns or cities that don't choose that option, the sale or use of fireworks would remain illegal, according to a recent Boston Globe report.

But while the move could allow for more income in the state, it could also result in more injuries, fire officials claim.

In 2010, there were 101 reported incidents in Massachusetts involving fireworks, an 84 percent increase from the 55 reported incidents in 2009, according to a 2010 report by the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System. 

That number would only increase if the sale of fireworks were prevalent in the state, Scoble said. 

"You are guaranteeing more fires, more injuries," he said. "It's unquestionable that they cause more fires, they cause more injuries. The majority of injuries are to children. Why would you want to do anything that willingly increases the chances of fires and injury to children?"

The bill was filed by State Rep. Richard Bastien (R-Gardner) and a hearing was held with the legislature's Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Feb. 27, according to the report. 

Bastien said that allowing the sale of fireworks would "enhance jobs and economic activities in the Commonwealth," while also lessening any incentive for residents to drive out of state or shop out of state for the products, according to Boston.com.

About 18,000 fires were caused by fireworks across the nation in 2009; of those, 1,036 occurred in Washington state, which is comparable in population to Massachusetts, according to data provided by Scoble. Washington experienced 53 times more fires per million population than Massachusetts did that year. 

On Feb. 28, a coalition opposing the bill wrote a letter to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, elaborating on the dangers of fireworks-related fires in the state. The coalition comprises members of the fire service, law enforcement and medical community, including Massachusetts Fire Marshal Stephen Coan. 

"We believe that if the bill becomes law, it will lead to more fireworks-related fires, injuries, deaths and property damage, and it will further strain fire department and emergency medical resources," the letter reads. "Across the nation, there are more fires on the Fourth of July than any other single day."

While Westwood does not hold an annual Fourth of July celebration, a fireworks display is held at every New Year's Eve. A fireworks display is also in the works for the upcoming . 

The state adopted the National Fire Protection Association's Model Fireworks Law in the 1920s, Coan explains in the letter, and says the law has been effective in keeping the rates of fires and injuries related to fireworks "significantly lower" in Massachusetts when comparing it other states that legally sell the products.  

"If this bill becomes law, it is reasonable to expect an increase in injuries and visits to emergency rooms," the letter reads. "Sadly our current experience indicates most of those injured will be children. As responsible adults, it is imperative that we set a good example and leave the fireworks to the professionals."

Are you supportive or opposed to the fireworks bill? Let us know in the comments section below.