June 28, 2017 – Local Fire Service Law Enforcement Officers will be teaming up with Local Officers from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department, Nevada City Police, Grass Valley Police, California Highway Patrol, State Parks, Cal Fire and the US Forest Service on a Fireworks Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to eliminate the use of all fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, within Nevada County. Fire Service Law Enforcement Officers will be on duty from July 1st through the July 4th holiday.

“We have been participating in this project for several years with great success” said Nevada County Consolidated Fire Chief Jim Turner. This partnership allows for the Police Officers and Deputies to continue their normal patrol duties while the fire service Law Enforcement Officers assist them with Fireworks concerns. “We have seen a noticeable decrease in the amount of fireworks incidents over the last couple of years due to increased patrols and enforcement. Working together with our allied agencies is the key to the success of this program with our goal to provide a safe 4th of July holiday”

According to the National Fire Protection Association Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.

In 2015, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 51% of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for one-quarter (26%) of the estimated 2015 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2015 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling Tu.

Fireworks, including those classified as Safe and Sane, are illegal to possess or use in all areas of Nevada County including the Cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City.

“We encourage families to attend the public displays that will be held in several locations throughout the area and to have a safe 4th of July.”