In an effort to ensure safety, both Valley Regional Fire Authority and Auburn Police Department are increasing their presence for the July Fourth Holiday.
APD and VRFA Prepare for the Fourth
APD has already announced increased firework emphasis patrols prior to and during the holiday. In addition to these patrols APD will have additional officers on duty tomorrow, July 4th.
“We will have approximately 20 officers on duty just for fireworks,” shared Commander Steve Stocker. “Six will be assigned to the firework stands area on Auburn Way South. The rest will be patrolling the streets handling fireworks calls. We will also have officers assigned to the parks to handle fireworks violations.”
To make a firework complaint, call 253-288-2121 . When calling, have as much information as possible (address or street, general description of who is setting off fireworks etc.) Complaints with unknown locations are difficult if not impossible for officers to respond to. Do not call 911 for firework complaints.
VRFA Fire Marshal Karen Stewart shared how Auburn, Algona and Pacific’s fire departments are preparing for the explosive holiday. “The Fourth of July is a very busy day for the VRFA. We have extra staffing to manage the increase volume of 911 calls. To address the increased call volume, we have an additional fire engine, with three people; the brush rig, with two people; a battalion chief, and one fire investigator. This is to supplement the normal VRFA staffing in the afternoon when the call volume increases.”
“Along with the extra VRFA staff,” Stewart continued, “there is also an incident action plan for South King County fire departments. This plan includes contingencies for providing assistance in large events that may overwhelm any individual department.”
Fireworks in Auburn
“Bottom line is, if it goes up and/or blows up, it is illegal,” said Stocker. “No fireworks can be discharged in the [Auburn] city limits until the Fourth [of July]. The exception is on Tribal Land.”
An estimated 12,900 are seen in emergency rooms in the US each July Fouth for firework related injuries. Please use safe and smart firework handling practices this holiday season so you don’t become one of those 12,900.
As an alternative to setting off fireworks yourself, find a local professional display on this handy list. Most are free and you don’t have to worry about clean up or missing appendages!
Don’t forget about Auburn’s Fourth of July Fest at Les Gove Park!
Burn Ban Still in Place
As a reminder, there is a Stage 1 Burn Ban in place in both King and Pierce Counties. Stewart shared that with this burn ban in place, “the VRFA is no longer issuing recreational burn permits, following King Counties Stage 1 Burn Ban.”
Be First to Comment