Please Remember Fire Fighters and Fire Danger This 4th of July

For the first time in 22 years it is legal to shoot off fireworks in Pasco. It's also OK in Richland, but banned in Kennewick. It gets more confusing every year.

Like a lot of things these days, there seems to be a polarization about the freedom to shoot off fireworks wherever and whenever balanced with the danger it poses to the community and especially the risks to firefighters. Never forget what happened on the 4th of July 1992, from the Always Remember website.

Incident Name: fireworks wildfire near Jump Off Joe Butte in Benton Co, WA.
Date: July 4, 1992
Personnel: Paul K Bjorklund
Age: one month short of 26 years old
Agency/Organization: Benton County Fire District #1, Kennewick, WA
Position: Wildland firefighter

Summary: On the 4th of July, 1992, fireworks ignited a wildfire on Jump Off Joe Butte. Paul Bjorklund, a 26-year-old firefighter, was killed while trying to put out the fire. He was riding on the back of a brush truck, manning a water nozzle, when the driver lost control, the truck rolled on the steep slope, and crushed Bjorklund.

All the first responder agencies are asking residents NOT to light up the skies --for obvious reasons. Please remember to be safe and sane and if possible take in organized Independence Day activities (like River of Fire in Columbia Park) in lieu of your own cul-de-sac soiree.

America Rocks.

Categories: Education, Events, Holidays, Tri-Cities News