sr-081479-11bSanta P~1.onica, California, July 30, 1979
To: ttayor and City Council
From: City Staff
°7~Q - vvL-vi AUG 1 4 9979
Subject: Safe and Sane Fireworks -Summary 1979
INTRODUCTION
Thie report presents information requested by the City Council at its
meeting of July 10, 1979 regarding the City's experience with the sale
of fireworks.
nrvr_oni loin
On Piay 22, 1979, Ordinance Number 1126 was adopted by the City Council
authorizing the sale and discharge of "Safe and Sane" fireworks within
the City of Santa Monica. In anticipation of a final adoption of the ordinance,
on May 18, 1979 at 9:00 A.P1., a drawing was conducted by the City Clerk
to determine which charitable organizations would be entitled to file
fora permit. Nine organizations filed their names with the City Clerk's
Office. Asa result of the drawing, the following organizations were
selected in the order indicated:
1. Y.W.C.A.
2, Santa Monica Bay Area Health Screening Clinic for the Elderly
3. Santa Monica Westside Volunteer Bureau
4. New Start
5. Santa Plonica Jaycees
6. Family Service of Santa Monica
auc i ~ 1979
To: P•1ayor and City Council - 2 -
7. Ocean Park Community Center
8. Sunrise Optimist Club of Santa Plonica
9. Y.M.C.A
July 30, 1979
The first five organizations were eligible to apply fora permit to
sell fireworks. The remaining organizations would become eligible if
any of the first five were disqualified for any reason.
Fvoi un-rmni
Administration and Insoection
The Fire Department, in cooperation with the City Planager's Office and
the City Attorney, developed a permit application form containing all
necessary waivers and insurance regulations. Upon completion of all
portions of the application, the Fire Department issued the permits
to the first five applicants. Considering the time constraints imposed
by the legislation, very few problems were experienced in issuing of
permits. However, since no time deadline had been specified for the first
five groups on the eligibility list to actually take out the permits,
there was some delay in determining which of the five r e all y intended
to take out a permit. If, for example, one of the five-had decided in
the interim not to exercise its option, it would have been difficult for the
sixth organization on the list to be notified in sufficient time to prepare
itself to begin sales on June 28th. The Fire Department is developing
administrative regulations to avoid this type of problem in the future.
Administrative Costs
The combined permit fee of $150.00 per site generated a total revenue of
$750.00. The cost to the City for Fire Department personnel to develop
To: Rtayor and City Council - 3 - July 30, 1979
this permit application, perform the on-site inspections and review the stand
activities was $1,791.72. Fire Department personnel devoted twenty-eight (28) man
hours to the development of the permit application. Inspections on behalf of both
the Fire Prevention Bureau and Fire Suppression personnel amounted to one-hundred
fifteen (115) hours. Administrative costs exceeded permit revenues by $1,041.72.
These administrative costs do not include such variable factors as cost of operating
fire equipment, lost time for other required activities and fireworks stand
violations which required greater than normal amounts of time. Also, it is extremely
difficult to speculate cn the hours spent by other City Departments. The City
Attorney's Office, the City t4anager's Office, the Building Department and the City
Clerk's Office were all involved to some degree in the development and regulation
process. The administrative costs involved with the development and preparation of
permit applications is now complete. This, then, represents a one-time cost item
which will not be present in future years.
Revenue for Fire Prevention Education
It is the intent of the Fire Department to utilize the bulk of the Fire Prevention
Education Funds to conduct an intensive education program directed toward
Fireworks Safety prior to July 4, 1980. Fireworks educational safety materials
can be as simple and inexpensive as printing and distributing signs, posters and
placards, or highly sophisticated such as designing and constructing a mobile
fireworks safety display vehicle for use at Civic t4eetings, Libraries and Schools.
The larger display type of the vehicle can then be utilized as part of a wider, more
extensive school education program on a year round basis. Specific plans
for such a program will be delayed until the Fire Department knows the amount
of funds available.
To: Mayor and City Council - 4 - July 30, 1979
Property Damage and Personal Injury
Fire incidents as a result of the use of fireworks during the reporting
period from June 28 through July 7 are as follows:
1978 1979
Refuse 0 2
Tree 5 4
Mail Box 0 1
Shrubbery 0 1
Building 5 2
Grass 1 2
Brush 2 1
Total Incidents 13 13
Dollar Loss 2,100.00 $700.00
The three emergency room facilities serving this im mediate area are
located at Santa Monica Hospital, Brotman 6lemorial Hospital ih Culver City
and P4arina P1ercy Hospital in Marina Del Rey. Reported injuries at these
locations as a direct result of the use of fireworks are as follows:
Santa Monica Hospital; 8 patients
5 via "Dangerous Fireworks"
3 via "Safe and Sane"
Brotman Memorial Hospital: 2 patients
2 via "Dangerous Fireworks"
Marina P1ercy Hospital: 12 patients
12 listed as unknown fireworks
To: Mayor and City Council - 5 - July 30, 1979
Fireworks injury reports for this area can be misleading in that the
beach communities experience such a tremendous influx of people during this
time and that many injuries are unreported or are seen by doctors near the
patient's home. The 1978 injury reports are not available for the local area
at this time.
There is no statistical or factual data which would indicate that the
sale of "Safe and Sane" fireworks in the City of Santa Monica caused a greater
or lesser degree of emergency activity in terms of property damage or
personal injury during the July 4th holiday. National and statewide
statistics will not be available until later in the year.
CONCLUSION
The mechanics of Ordinance Number 1126 presented no functional problems other
than for time. In the area of property damage and personal injury, the
Fire Department is pleased to inform the City Council that there was no
perceptible increase over prior years as a result of the ordinance. However,
by the very nature of fireworks, there is a potential for injury and
property loss, and the Fire Department is still opposed to the sale of
"Safe and Sane" fireworks in this community.
If, however, authorization is again given in 1980 for the sale and discharge
of fireworks, the administrative apparatus is now in place and functional.
Asa result, the permit process will move along punctually and with ease.
Consideration should be given to increasing the permit fee to offset the
To: P1ayor and City Council - 6 - 30 July 1979
administrative costs of enforcement. Although development costs will be
eliminated, or greatly reduced, the expenditures required for physical
inspection of the sites will be increased due to escalation of personnel and
equipment costs.
Those organizations which received a permit to engage in the sales
operation were requested to forward comments relating to their experiences.
Copies of the City's letter to them, and the responses received are attached.
Prepared by: Thomas C. Tolman
Fire Chief
Gentlemen:
h Santa Montca City Gouncithe
At the July l0, 1979, meeting of t e
eriod. As part of that
The fire Department was rtheeJuly dQSeilingepa report summer z ng
sale of Fireworks during rovide info~^-
report we are asking that your organie~1encesas Pleaseipipant in that
sale, to provide comments on your exp
mation and comments on the following topics:
`What problems, if any, were experienced with Pyrotronics
as-your supplier?
The approximate gross sales for: your organization during
the selling period
Did you experience any ;problems due to either the buying
°public or the. location 'of the stand?
Tn the event thou Fireworks sales are permitted in the
or anization again seek a permit?
future, will Y_ ~`
`po you.; have any suggestions that you feel will improve ,
future sales operations or make the sales more equitable to :<
all caneerned.
Any further suggestions and or comment not covered ih this
letter will be greatly appreciated. or
_~_ r., ~.~r;tina to this office on or,be€
SANTA MONICA BAY AREA
HEALTH SCREENING CLINIC FOR THE ELDERLY, INC.
1148 Fourth St. Santa Monica, Calif. 90403
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451-1727
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GRAYCE SOLL
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co>re,Pa~dhsse~re=a>v July 22, 1979
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GWEN UMAN. R.N., M.N. r~- .~,
BOARD
DAVIDA COADY. M.D.
JEANNE CHERRY. RN.
FRANCES COHEN, R.N. Thomas C. Tolman Fire Chief
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DAVID DURST, ESQUIRE Fire Department
ROBE T°KDANe, M.D. 1444 Seventh Street
GOLDA LARKS
EVELYN ROSF.N BERG
Santa Monica, California 90401
RALPH SACHS. M D.
GERALD SHAW, M.D.
ERNEST STANTON. M.D. Dedr Chief Tolman•
In response to your letter of July 11, 1979, the following infor-
mation is provided regarding fireworks sales by the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program, acting under the permit obtained by the Health
Screening Clinic for the Elderly. A separate letter will follow
shortly from the Board of Directors of the Clinic.
1. Re Pyrotronics and problems associated with them:
There were several verbal promises given (such as site loca-
tion being performed by their representative) that were not
complied with. In addition, separate agreements were made
with individual organizations that resulted in differential
treatment among the participating agencies.
2. The approximate gross sales for our organization (i.e., RSVP )
was $18,578.00.
3. There were not problems due to the buying public. However, the
location of the stand in a vacant lot was problematic in that
lighting was difficult, and RSVP had to expend more than other
agencies on publicity.
4. RSVP will seek a permit; however the Health Screening Clinic
decided to oppose participation in the future on the basis of
the fire and safety hazards (letter to follow, as mentioned above).
5. Future suggestions: all sites should be suppled by Red Devil
and should be assigned by lottery.
6. Ide suggest that greater care be paid by the City in setting up
future contracts. It may be that Red Devil will gain a dispro-
portionate share of the profits, and a smaller portion is suggested.
Ver~y_ truly yours,
Gray~Sol 1,
Past President
ESTELLE TUVMAN. M.P.H.
Director
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2019 - 14th Street e Santa Monica, California 90405
(213) 399-7711
July 16, 1979
Thomas C..~TOlman, Fire Chief
City of Santa Monica Fire Department
1444 Seventh Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mr. Tolman:
The YWCA of Santa Monica participated in the selling of safe and sane
fireworks during the Fourth of July period. This is our report:
We had no difficulties or problems with Pyrotronics. They provided
service, advice, and help for us in our booth. The products were as
advertised.
Our approximate gross sales totalled $21,000.00 (including sales tax).
We had no problems due to the buying public other than endless requests
for "illegal" fireworks. (Many people said, "Never mind, we know where we
can get Them.°') Parking was so limited at our stand that we were just
about limited to selling to foot traffic to the beaches. (We were at Pico
and Ocean.)
We would seek a permit to sell fireworks again if it were allowed.
It might be. more equitable if the participating organizations were to
divide the profits equally, as originally planned, although we have no
complaint about the way it was done this time.
Thank you for your help in alZ this.
Rolla' Johnson, Exec Live, Director
for Simona B. Elkin, President
Serving The Greater Santa Maniea Bay Area
A Member Agen ry: The So nio Monim Cam mu oily Chen.
J,1~ lrt ~i ~t r'~`~3t~
Post Office Box 1128, Santa Monica, CA 90406 • (213) 395-2534
July 23, 1979
Chief Thomas Tolman
City` of Santa Mon~`ca f%re. Dept,
1444 7th Street
Santa Monica, California 90401
Dear Chief Thomas Tolman:
Than[c you for your letter of July 11th, Tam sorry for the delay
on your request to receive this information by July 19th.. However,
T did not receive tFe letter i;n adequate time to respond by that
date,
T will tafce the quest%ons you requested and answer them i;n the
order as stated In your letter:
1. Problems with Pyrotronics3
We experienced no problems Other than late deliveries with.
them. Pyrotroni'cs was extremely Celpful to us .and co-operated
ariah us i:n all aspects.
2. Approximate gross salesi
The approx%mate gross sales-came to $34,950 (excluding sales tax).
3. Profilems due-to public orlocationof stand.
We experienced no problem wi It the exception of enough parking
space,
4, P1l`il your organi`zati'on again seek a permit?
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5. Any suggestions ~*te feel w%ll improve future sales or make sales
more equ%ta61e?
There were more than 400anan hours which. this project consummed.
We feel that an adequate return to the various charitable organ~-
i'zdtions would require the. city to decrease their percentage of
Lea tlersnip Training .the grOSS] -
antl Community Service
to Santa Monica since 1928 In essence, %, e, , Base percentage on the amount of gross sa es
less sales tax,les~s pyrotronTcs,
T hope. that this satisfies your request for information, If you have
further questions, please do not hesi ate to call me.
Sncerelyy ~; ,,
MTCFtAEL DEV~S`i)
STATE DIRECTOR-SANTA MONTCA JAYCEES
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