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1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
City Council
May 7, 2024
2023 Fireworks Update
Fire Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 • Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2022, reported over ten thousand (10,000) injuries related to fireworks and eleven (11) deaths.
• The City of Riverside has developed a Task Force
consisting of Code Enforcement, Fire Department, and
the Police Department personnel.
– The City of Riverside campaign aims was to inform, educate, and enforce codes to reduce and prevent personal injuries or property damage from Fireworks.
BACKGROUND
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3 • Riverside Municipal Code 16.32.370 Section 5601.1.1:
– The manufacturing, possession, storage, use, and handling of fireworks is prohibited. • RMC Chapter 1.18, Section 1.18.040 Penalties:
– Admin Citation in the amount of $1,000 and a disposal fee set by the state. • RMC Chapter 16.32, Section 104.1.1 Citations:
– Fire code official and his or her designee are authorized to issue a citation. • RMC Chapter 16.32, Section 16.32.080 Assistance from Other Agencies:
– Authority to render assistance with investigation of fires/enforcement when requested to do so.
RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE
RiversideCA.gov
4 • The Riverside Office of Communications, Riverside Fire Department, and the Riverside Police Department provided Fireworks Public Safety Announcements (PSAs), that aired throughout June and July.
• Electronic billboards at the Auto Mall near Adams and the 91 Freeway, and the Marketplace at Mission Inn Avenue and the 91 Freeway featured “No Fireworks” messaging beginning in June.
• RFD and RPD used social media outlets to identify fireworks sales activity. • The fine for illegal fireworks is $1,000. RFD, RPD, and Code Enforcement partnered to enforce fireworks violations.
FIREWORKS PROGRAM ACTIONS
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5 • RFD, City Code Enforcement, and RPD increased staffing from June 29 – July 4, 2023.
RFD overstaffed six (9) fire apparatus to stand by at the Mt. Rubidoux and La Sierra fireworks shows on July 4, 2024
• Fire management staff were on duty and on-call for emergencies. Three battalion chiefs were on duty for July 4, and four additional chief officers were on-call and available to respond if needed.
• All 14 Fire stations are directed to maintain a visible presence during July 4 festivities to enforce RMC 16.31.100 and to educate the public on the danger associated with fireworks.
• Five (5) to seven (7) Task Forces were active nightly.
FIREWORKS PROGRAM ACTIONS
RiversideCA.gov
6 • Data totals collected between June 30, 2023, and July 4, 2023:
Response and Citation Information
Total Collected
from Citations
Total Citations
Issued
Total Fireworks
Seized
Total 311
Calls
Total On‐
View
Total Radio
Calls
$2,00024340 pounds82132279
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7 • Citations Update:
• Twenty-four (24) citations were referred to finance.
• Two (2) citations have been paid in full.
• Following exhaustive internal colle ction efforts, the unpaid accounts will be referred to an external collections' agency
Response and Citation Information
RiversideCA.gov
8 • Ward 1 – 0
• Ward 2 – 6
• Ward 3 – 3
• Ward 4 – 5
• Ward 5 – 6
• Ward 6 – 6
• Ward 7 - 3
Citation By Ward
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9 • Fiscal Impact for the June 30 to July 4 fireworks enforcement and event staffing totaled $95,375.
• Department financial breakdown:
FISCAL IMPACT
Fire DepartmentPolice DepartmentCode Enforcement
$26,411$63,319$5,645
RiversideCA.gov
10 That the City Council :
1. Receive update on fireworks enforcement for 2023.
Recommendations
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