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Independence Day is synonymous with fireworks. ACFR's Fire Marshal's Office works with all public and private aerial fireworks displays in our county, not just on busy weekends like Fourth of July, but the many shows that celebrate milestones throughout the year.
Before any fireworks display can begin, an ACFR Fire Marshal (FM) completes an inspection of the display set-up to ensure proper safety protocols are in place. Pyrotechnicians must be credentialed and show proof of such to the FM.
Once the display has been inspected, the FM works with the venue to ensure people are not sitting within a certain radius of the launch area based on the size of the mortars being used. This is to protect people not only from debris, but any potential misfired fireworks. The FM then addresses any issues or needs that come up - in one case over the weekend a drone operator that was flying near the launch area had to be found to explain why it was unsafe to fly the drone where fireworks were being displayed.
The FM's job is not over when the show begins. They track each firework as it's launched to count any that don't explode in the air. After the show, the FM will work with the pyrotechnician to find any undetonated fireworks and watch for potential flare-ups from debris.
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