Port Moody’s fire chief says it’s time the city get tougher on the use of fireworks.
In a report to be presented to council’s governance and legislation committee on Tuesday (July 18), Darcy O’Riordan recommends the city review its fireworks bylaws to ban their sale and require a permit for their use by consumers.
He said the changes “would essentially ban consumer firework use” in Port Moody. They would also bring the city in line with several surrounding communities.
Currently, Port Moody is one of only three municipalities in Metro Vancouver that still allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks; the others are West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.
Consumer sale and use of fireworks are banned in Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, North Delta Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Langley while Port Coquitlam, Burnaby and New Westminster prohibit sales of fireworks but still allow their use.
O’Riordan said “widespread contraventions, community complaints and increasing hazard levels” are prompting the request for tighter rules.
He said common complaints leading up to Halloween include:
- fireworks being discharged outside permissible hours
- excessive noise
- fear and anxiety for household pets
- litter and debris left behind
- fire damage caused by fireworks
- poor air quality
And with climate change extending periods when fire dangers are rated high, O’Riordan said a ban makes sense.
“Banning the sales and requiring a permit for consumer firework use can help to protect individuals, the environment and communities from the potential dangers and negative effects associated with their use.”
In 2022, the city issued three licenses to businesses selling fireworks and between 2018 and 2021 only an average of 10 people voluntarily registered consumer fireworks plans with Port Moody Fire Rescue.
O’Riordan said the changes wouldn’t affect fireworks used in public displays or by certified technicians in pyrotechnics and special effects.
He said such instances would still require a permit with requirements like:
- having at least two operators in charge, with at least one holding a valid fireworks supervisor certificate
- providing at least two approved fire extinguishers within the area where the fireworks are being discharged
- discharging the fireworks at least 60 metres from the nearest building or transportation corridor or 15 metres from the nearest telephone pole, tree or other overhead obstruction
- obtaining approval of a site plan by PMFR
- securing comprehensive insurance coverage
