Easily the most controversial of my motions, a proposed consumer fireworks betrayed a decades and generations -old tradition in Vancouver: Fireworks at Halloween. While I had enjoyed my share of Halloween fireworks in my youth, I recognized that the extent of property damage, pollution and disturbance were no longer sustainable or appropriate in the urban environment. My mind was made up after the senseless death of a mixed breed dog named Maggie – terrified by thoughtless louts lighting fireworks outside of Halloween in an off leash park.
What started as a quixotic quest that earned me the ire of fireworks aficionados, some friends and neighbours, and a few councillors resulted in a tremendous outpouring of public support. The motion to ban consumer fireworks went from no support at council to a commanding endorsement at a remarkable change for our city.
The existing regulation around fireworks were quite weak and barely observed – the singular greatest distinction being that a specially permitted Halloween-only activity spanned weeks and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage and fire services call outs annually.
UPDATE: In the first full year of the ban, fireworks property damage went from a 10 year average of $400,000 per annum to just $5,500 in 2021 and reports of considerably less nuisance noise.
WHEREAS 1. Fireworks are dangerous explosive items that can burn up to 1000 degrees Celsius and create loud noises in the range of 150db. Safety guidelines published by Natural Resources Canada requires a minimum 30m x 30m (100’ x 100’) clear space be used when setting off fireworks. The typical Vancouver lot is only 10 m wide; 2. Consumer fireworks are a popular form of fireworks used for recreation, they include noisemakers, ground spinners, sparklers and aerial fireworks. Display Fireworks are fireworks designed to be used by professionals;1 3. Each year, Vancouver Police Department calls for service dramatically increase during the five days leading up to October 31st. In a 2018 memo, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services compiled damages and cost over the last 12 years and found that the average fire loss per year due to the use of consumer fireworks is $379,000.00; 4. Vancouver is one of the only local cities that allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks. Nearby cities that have banned fireworks due to excessive property damage, injuries and costs to the communities include North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, Langley, Langley Township, Abbotsford, Mission, Victoria, and Seattle WA; 5. In 2007 Council approved amendments to the Fire By-law to restrict the purchase and discharge of fireworks to individuals holding a permit issued by the Fire Chief. The City of Vancouver fire bylaw currently restricts the sale of fireworks except between October 25th and October 31st of each calendar year. Permit holders must be 19 years of age or older and successfully complete the fire department (on line) education and test regarding handling of fireworks; 6. Fireworks set off in urban areas have demonstrable and significant adverse effect on wild animals.2 Research studies show that the noise from fireworks causes a great amount of fear, stress and anxiety in wild animals. Other documented effects include nesting birds and other small mammal parents abandoning their nests leaving their defenseless babies behind. The panic can sometimes cause so much disorientation that wildlife parents cannot locate their nests and their babies die. Panic and disorientation from fireworks noise has also resulted in birds flying into windows and buildings, or too far out to sea to escape the noise;3 7. Fireworks set off in urban areas have demonstrable and significant adverse effect on many domestic animals. In 2016 a mixed breed dog named Maggie was killed 4 when spooked by fireworks she ran onto SkyTrain tracks. Each year the BCSPCA issue warnings to public to protect and calm pets traumatized by fireworks. Animal shelters typically see an increase in lost animals during fireworks sessions and Veterinary Associations caution many animals injure themselves in panicked attempts to escape the blasts; 8. Fireworks have environmental impacts though the release of poisonous chemicals and airborne particles, including colourants and propellants like copper, strontium, lithium, barium, aluminum, potassium and percholates. Research has found that fireworks sourced airborne particulates have been found to deplete lung defences more than pollution from traffic sources. Spent fireworks particles and detritus make their wat into our waterways, atmosphere and environment; 5 6 9. Fireworks can trigger PTSD for survivors of gun violence, war refugees, and veterans; 7 8 10. Fireworks-related injuries disproportionally impact children and youth. In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment in the United States, 50% of those casualties were to children and youth under twenty; 9 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to work with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and the Vancouver Police Department to report back in 2020 on a plan to ban the retail sale of consumer fireworks to the public by 2021. Considerations should include: i. How to address enforcement and compliance with a ban on consumer fireworks; ii. Exemptions for how display fireworks can still be used as part of large public events (Celebration of Light, New Year’s Eve etc.) and cultural/religious occasions (Diwali etc.); iii. An authorized Fire permit from the City of Vancouver to ignite, explode, set off or detonate display fireworks within the guidelines and conditions of the permit, Vancouver Fire Bylaw, and the Canadian Explosives Regulations; iv. Necessary amendments to the Fire By-law in order to facilitate a ban on consumer fireworks. * * * * * 1. http://www.nationalfireworks.ca/ 2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2015/12/31/birds-flee-en-mass-fromnew-years-eve-fireworks/#b9dd8b378505 3. https://www.westsoundwildlife.org/wildlife/Coexisting/CO_Fireworks.html 4. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/dog-spooked-by-fireworks-killed-on-skytrain-tracks1.3139826 5. http://theconversation.com/our-prettiest-pollutant-just-how-bad-are-fireworks-forthe-environment-52451 6. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es1016284 7. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/04/fireworks-ptsd-fourth-of-julyveterans-shooting-survivors 8. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-prepares-refugees-for-new-year-fireworks-overtrauma-concerns/a-18949967 9. https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonalsafety/summer/fireworks * * * * *