11/8/2024
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee
November 20, 2024
2024 Fireworks Update
Fire Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 • Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2023, reported over nine thousand seven hundred (9,700) injuries related to fireworks and eight (8) deaths.
• To reduce illegal firework activity within the city, the Riverside Fire Department (RFD), Police Department (RPD), and Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) / Code Enforcement Division are working collaboratively on a fireworks education and enforcement campaign.
• The campaign's goal is to ensure that residents understand that all fireworks are prohibited in Riverside and that a violation may result in an administrative citations as well as restitution costs for any damages that may result.
BACKGROUND
1 2
11/8/2024
2 RiversideCA.gov
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 $1,500 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), aired throughout June and July.
• The electronic billboards at the Auto Mall near Adams and the 91 Freeway, and the Marketplace at Mission Inn Avenue and the 91 Freeway featured the “No Fireworks” message beginning in June.
• RFD and RPD used social media outlets to identify fireworks sales activity. • The fine for illegal fireworks was increased to $1,500. RFD, RPD, and Code Enforcement partnered to enforce fireworks violations.
FIREWORKS PROGRAM ACTIONS
3 4
11/8/2024
3 RiversideCA.gov
5 • RFD, Code Enforcement, and RPD increased staffing from June 29 – July 4, 2024. RFD overstaffed eight (8) fire apparatus to stand by at the Mt. Rubidoux and (1) at the 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 Force groups were active nightly.
FIREWORKS PROGRAM ACTIONS
RiversideCA.gov
6 • Data totals collected between June 30, 2024, and July 4, 2024:
• Citations Update:
• Twenty-four (24) citations sent to finance.
• No citations have been sent to collections.
• Two (2) citations have been paid in full.
• 7 have been appealed, 0 have been reduced
• Total unpaid- $20,545
Response and Citation Information
Total Collected
from Citations
Total Citations
Issued
Total Fireworks
Seized
Total 311
Calls
Total On‐
View
Total Radio
Calls
$3,645241,800 Lbs.8799344
5 6
11/8/2024
4 RiversideCA.gov
7 • Ward 1 – 4
• Ward 2 – 0
• Ward 3 – 2
• Ward 4 – 1
• Ward 5 – 2
• Ward 6 – 6
• Ward 7 - 3
Citation By Ward
RiversideCA.gov
8 • Fiscal Impact from Jun 30 to July 4, 2024, fireworks enforcement and event staffing totaled $72,860.
• Department financial breakdown:
FISCAL IMPACT
Fire DepartmentPolice DepartmentCode Enforcement
$16,531$45,074$11,255
7 8
11/8/2024
5 RiversideCA.gov
9 The Riverside Fire Department (RFD) and the Riverside Police Department (RPD), would like to recommend
enhancements to the City of Riversides efforts to enforce RMC 1.18. including the of use of sUAS technology for
fireworks enforcement
sUAS Technology for Fireworks Enforcement
RiversideCA.gov
10 Fireworks Enforcement:
The week leading up to and on July 4th, utilizing certified pilots to conduct flights in areas known to have high incidences
of illegal fireworks. Use them to lawfully monitor and video record such activity to establish a nexus between unlawful activity and specific residences/individuals whenever possible. Generate written reports detailing our observations and work with the City Attorney’s Office (CAO)to issue administrative citations based on the observations of evidence.
sUAS Technology for Fireworks Enforcement
9 10
11/8/2024
6 RiversideCA.gov
11 1. Personnel Needs:
The RFD and RPD recommend assigning a drone team to each ward to maximize the impact and responsiveness to the
community. Teams will consist of two officers or firefighters (one as the pilot, and 1 as the observer/safety officer). Due to the inherent risks associated with night flying operations, pilots would be required to attend a 3-day advanced course focused on night operations. Cost of the course in $30,000 and personnel cost is estimated at $121,168.00
sUAS Technology for Fireworks Enforcement
RiversideCA.gov
12 2. Equipment Needs:
Based on the number of available drones and their existing capabilities, RPD would not be able to meet the need with the current fleet. Recommend purchasing (4) DJI M30 drones to ensure effective operational teams. The (4) additional drones would cost $57,106.93
sUAS Technology for Fireworks Enforcement
11 12
11/8/2024
7 RiversideCA.gov
13 The City Attorney’s Office (CAO), will amend RMC 1.18 to provide a section for:
1. Social Host Liability: The Ordinance will incl ude language that is unlawful for any social host to allow by invitation or consent the use of illegal or storage of fireworks, and to hold the parent or guardians of juveniles liable when found to violate RMC 1.18.
2. RFD or RPD authorizes the use of sUAS (sma ll unmanned aircraft system) to be used for fireworks enforcement.
3. Penalties: Additional each subsequent violation shall be subject to increasing administrative penalties no less than $3,000.00, but not more then $25,000, per citation.
Riverside Municipal Code Update
RiversideCA.gov
14 That the Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee:
1. Receive update on fireworks enforcement for 2024; and
2. Receive proposal for the use of sUAS enforcement.
3. Provide funding for advanced night operations training
4. Provide funding for the purchase of (4) new DJI M30 Drones
5. Amend RMC 1.18 to provide for a Social Host Liability
6.Forward to the City Council.
Recommendations
13 14