Volunteer Firemen No Longer Launching Fireworks

Fairhope, Alabama 

 

July 4, 2019

NEW STATE "SHOOTER" LAW IN EFFECT

The city council voted to appropriate $32K to J and M Displays of Dothan Al. for the city's annual Independence Day fireworks show at the Fairhope pier; this will be the first time in memory the Volunteer Fire Department was not in charge of the holiday production.  

Councilman Burrell: "The firemen lost certification. Not able to participate. Had to get a third party."

(Last year's Independence Day and New Years Eve shows had to be canceled due to the pandemic.)

Mayor Sullivan said there have been "a lot of changes in recent years" to laws concerning fireworks, such as liability, insurance ... and even issues with storing them in the usual bunker at the Thompson Hall Fire Station (new houses encroaching). 

The state Fire Marshall's office began enforcing the  more stringent guidelines in 2019, i.e. a 16-hour instruction course and a minimum six shows of supervised experience, which could take up to three years to complete according to Community Affairs Director Tuberville.

Mayor Sullivan added there were "a lot of obstacles right now" to having the fire department shoot again; not a lot of interest among the firemen either.

DIFFERENT LOOK TOO?

Tuberville added the show may have a somewhat different look this year, with set up on the end of the pier two days earlier than usual.

J and M Fireworks Company.