Your Help Is Needed

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

The legalization of Class "C" fireworks is rearing its ugly head once again. The IFSA was assured that the Governor had no interest in doing so last week after they presented the case against this idea. WELL...this is Illinois and lo and behold this coming Tuesday July 20th, a hearing will be held led by State Senator Terry Link (D)30th on LEGALIZING CLASS "C" FIREWORKS. I have been asked to spread the word to all of you. We all want to keep our State safe and prevent children (and adults) from being injured,maimed or even killed. This is politics at its finest. I will post the complete details of the hearing when I get them. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is looking for firefighters and fire service leaders to spek out on this and if possible attend the hearing. For my fellow UNION MEMBERS this is right from the IAFF web site. IAFF and Leading Health and Safety Advocates Call for Ban on Consumer Fireworks

July 1, 2004 — The IAFF, along with other leading health and safety groups, is urging a ban on consumer fireworks as Independence Day celebrations get underway. Each year, fireworks used by consumers cause thousands of injuries and fires. Citing deaths, injuries and fires, the IAFF strongly suggests that adults and children not use these devices and instead attend public fireworks displays, conducted by professionals.

Members of the group are:

American Academy of Ophthalmology

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Association for Hand Surgery (new member, this year)

American Burn Association (new member, this year)

American College of Emergency Physicians

International Association of Fire Chiefs (new member, this year)

International Association of Fire Fighters (new member, this year)

International Fire Marshals Association

National Association of State Fire Marshals

National Fire Protection Association

The group is calling attention to the dangers of seemingly harmless fireworks at a press conference in Washington today.

Fireworks are typically the leading cause of fires on Independence Day. In 1999 – the latest year for which there are statistics – an estimated 24,200 reported fires were started by fireworks. Most of these fires were outdoor brush or refuse fires, and most of the loss occurred in fires with structures involved. These fires can start with outdoor use of fireworks. For example, a bottle rocket launched outside that lands on a roof or other location not easily accessed, ignites combustibles before anyone can retrieve it.

In 2002, eight out of nine emergency department fireworks injuries involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use. Fireworks can result in scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. Sparklers, for example, can burn up to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

There were an estimated 8,800 people injured by fireworks who were treated in a hospital emergency department in 2002. In the same year, four people died, according to U.S. death certificate records. Nearly two-thirds of fireworks injuries were burns, according to a newly-released report from NFPA. More than one-third of fireworks injuries were to the head, with one-fifth of the total involving the eye. Half of all injuries were to the extremities.

Males accounted for 71 percent of the fireworks injuries. The female injury rate was higher than the male rate for adults, ages 45 or older. Highest risk of fireworks injuries is among teens and preteens. Children ages 10 to14 had a fireworks injury rate three times the general population, the rate for children ages five to nine was more than twice as high as average, and the rate for teens ages 15 to19 was twice that of the population as a whole.

At present, only seven states ban all consumer fireworks. They are: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Such bans have been linked to significantly lower rates of fireworks-related injuries and fires.




International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006 • 202.737.8484 • 202.737.8418 (Fax)

[ChiefReason]

MIKEY:
I won't be able to attend any hearings, but I will certainly pass this along to all of my associates and those in both the house and the senate.
I feel confident that we can stop this.
CR

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Re: Oppose SB 2793 – Exemption of Class C Fireworks





As you all know, our burn camp has clearly shown us the devastating burn injuries incurred by fireworks! We need to unite in this effort. If you are on a fire department, see if your department can send someone to the hearing (details below) in uniform. Whether you are a fire department or not make phone calls to the Senate Licensed Activities committee. (Info attached)



After being so successful in Springfield last Tuesday, we are now challenged by SB2793 which would legalize Class “C” Fireworks. (Amendment #1)



SB2793 would exempt Class C fireworks from the Lead Pyrotechnic displayers Act which was passed last year. The current law requires displayers of Class C fireworks to go through training and testing with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and obtain $1 million in insurance.



We need fire departments represented at the hearing on this bill. The hearing will be before the Senate Licensed Activities this coming Tuesday, July 20th at 11:30 a.m. in Room A-1 of the Stratton Building in Springfield. Please let me know if your department will be able to send someone.



In the meantime, please call the senators listed on the attached list who serve on the Licensed Activities Committee and will be voting on this issue. Let them know that 2 people died this week because of class C fireworks (a 4 year old girl in Missouri who was standing 150 ft away and was struck in the head causing her to be brain dead (she was pulled off life support) and a woman from Calumet City whose mailbox was filled with fireworks.



As Representative Boland, D-East Moline said at our press conference in Springfield last Tuesday “In this heightened state of homeland security risk, where we are all concerned about this, it seems irresponsible for us to legalize and expand those types of explosives”.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

OPPOSE SB 2793 –EXEMPTION OF CLASS C FIREWORKS

CURRENT LAW: Currently only 3 counties in Illinois (Macon, Sangamon, and Vermilion) allow for the purchase and sale of Class C Explosives. However in order to purchase and sell Class C Explosives, you must first obtain a county permit and obtain $1 million in liability insurance. Legislation will go into effect in April 2005, which will also require anyone who is shooting off Class C Explosives to be licensed under the Illinois Lead Pyrotechnic Displayers Act. In order to obtain a license, one must go through training and testing program established by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

PROPOSED CHANGE: SB 2793 would exempt Class C fireworks from the law.

Why does this proposal make bad public policy?

· In 2003, 50 % of all fireworks injuries were to children under the age of 15
· 88 % of Fireworks Related Injuries seen in the Emergency Rooms Involve Class “C” Fireworks
· 63.2 % of fireworks injuries resulted in burns
· In 2002, 8800 people were injured by fireworks and received emergency room treatment, many more go unreported
· The recent Calumet City incident of teens putting lit fireworks in an elderly woman’s mailbox involved Class C Explosives, after clinging onto life support, the woman passed away 7/14/04
· A little girl was killed last week in Missouri in an accident involving Class C Explosives. She was 150 from neighbors who were shooting off fireworks. She was struck in the head and was brain dead when she was taken off life support.
· Medical and property insurance claims will rise
· The Consumer Product Safety Commission considers Class C Fireworks “Explosives”. In this heightened state of homeland security risk, it is irresponsible put these explosives into untrained hands. If mixed together, Class C explosives can do as much damage as dynamite.
· Greater burdens will be put on public services such local fire, police and EMS which are funded by taxpayer dollars
.
OPPONENTS

IL FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE
IL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
IL FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATED FIREFIGHTERS OF IL
CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMET
PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERERS OF IL
IL FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
IL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS
IL FIRE INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
IL FIRE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTE

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

SENATE LICENSED ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
First number listed is Springfield office (217 area code). Please call in opposition to Floor Amendment #1 to SB 2793 – which would legalize illegal fireworks in IL.

Senator Antonio Munoz (D-1)
Chicago, IL
782-9415 (773) 869-9050

CHICAGO

Senator M. Maggie Crotty (D-19)
Oak Forest, IL
782-9595 (708) 687-9696

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS OAK FOREST
FLOSSMOR OLYMPIA FIELDS
HARVEY ORLAND HILLS
HAZELCREST ORLAND PARK
HOMEWOOD PARK FOREST
MARKHAM RICHTON PARK
MATTESON TINLEY PARK


Senator James A. DeLeo (D-10)
Chicago, IL
782-1035 (773) 237-2525

CHICAGO NILES
HARWOOD HEIGHTS NORRIDGE


Senator William R. Haine (D-56)
Alton, IL
782-5247 (618) 465-4764

ALTON HARTFORD
BETHALTO MARYVILLE
CASEYVILLE O’FALLON
COLLINSVILLE PONTOON BEACH
EAST ALTON ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS
EDWARDSVILLE ROXANA
ELSAH SOUTH ROXANA
FARIVIEW HEIGHTS TROY
GLEN CARBON WOOD RIVER
GODFREY WORDEN
GRANITE CITY


Senator Ira Silverstein (D-8)
Chicago, IL
782-5500 (773) 743-5015

CHICAGO NILES
LINCOLNWOOD SKOKIE
MORTON GROVE


Senator Richard J. Winkel Jr. (R52)
Champaign, IL
782-2507 328-0400

ALLERTON HOMER
ALVIN INDIANOLA
BELGIUM LONG VIEW
BISMARCK MUNCIE
BROADLANDS PATOMAC VILLAGE
CATLIN RANTOOL
CHAMPAIGN RIDGE FARM VILLAGE
DANVILLE ROYAL
FAIRMOUNT ST. JOSEPH VILLAGE
FIDELL SAVOY
FITHIN THOMASBORO
GEORGETOWN TILTON
GIFFORD WESTVILLE
HENNING


Senator Wendell E. Jones (R-27)
Palatine, IL
782-4471 (847) 776-1490

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS MT. PROSPECT
BARRINGTON PALATINE
BARRINGTON HILLS PROSPECT HEIGHTS
BUFFALO GROVE ROLLING MEADOWS
HOFFMAN ESTATES SOUTH BARRINGTON
INVERNESS WHEELING

Senator Dave Sullivan (R-33)
Mt. Prospect, IL
782-3875 (847)734-0033

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS PARK RIDGE
ELK GROVE VILLAGE ROLLING MEADOWS
MT. PROSPECT ROSEMONT
NILES

Senator Bill Peterson (R-26)
782-8010 847-634-6060
BUFFALO GROVE,
MUNDELEIN
LONG GROVE AND PARTS OF LAKE COUNTY

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Thanks for reading all of this. To contact the IFSA to see what YOU and YOUR department can do call 1-800-634-0911 or visit them om line at ILLINOIS FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE WE can make a difference !