Safety first

POLSON — John Fairchild hates the beginning of July and he has a good reason why.

Fairchild, chief of the Polson Fire Department, said between the 3rd and 5th of July there are more children injured and more homes lost than the department would like to talk about, mostly because the accidents could have been prevented.

“You gotta be safe, number one,” he said.

The use and abuse of fireworks can easily bump up the number of calls the fire department receives by 40 to 50 percent.  The fire department would normally get around 35 calls in a month. Fairchild said there could be up to 75 calls in the span of three days surrounding the Fourth of July.

But it’s not only time that is spent fighting firework related blazes. It’s money, and lots of it.

“Firework season is an expensive time for us,” Fairchild said.

For one fire engine to respond to a call it costs $2,500 and for a typical fire there are several engines that respond. The manpower can cost upwards of $20 per hour for each firefighter to battle the flames.  Do the math and a fire can cost upwards of $10,000 without batting an eye, Fairchild said.

But it’s not just taxpayers who should be worried. A 50-cent firecracker could lead to a hefty bill and if evidence proves you caused the fire with a firework, you will be responsible for the cost of suppression and property damage.

“I don’t want to be the one knocking on the door with a bill because they weren’t safe,” Fairchild said. “But if there is evidence, we will be coming after you.”

Fairchild advises everyone to be safe and monitor fireworks to make sure each one is properly put out. He also said residents must clean up the mess left behind.

“People need to clean up after themselves,” he said.  

Some years the fire department has not been able to drive down city streets because too much debris was left from fireworks that were set off.

You won’t just have Fairchild to worry about if you don’t clean up your mess.  Polson City Ordinance No. 662 goes into full effect this year, and if you don’t pick up your mess it could lead to a misdemeanor and up to a $100 fine.

The ordinance also limits the times that fireworks can be used. Through June 24 to July 2, fireworks can be used between 8 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.  On July 3rd and 4th, fireworks can be used between 8 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. the following day.  The punishment for using fireworks outside these time limits is a misdemeanor, with a warning for the first offense.

Fireworks may not be lit in City of Polson parks or within 2,000 feet of the airport, according to the ordinance.

While you can light fireworks almost anywhere in Polson, Fairchild said he still recommends open areas free of tall grass, such as a parking lot.  Many commercial parking lots will not allow people to light fireworks on their property but school parking lots are public property.  Fairchild recommends using these public locales so long as people are safe and clean up their waste.

Copies of the ordinance are available at firework stands, Polson City Hall and on the city’s website.