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CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2024
DEPARTMENT: FIRE & POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: CHRISTOPHER KNAPP, DIVISION CHIEF/FIRE MARSHAL
JOHN MUREY, ACTING POLICE CHIEF
TITLE: 2024 FIREWORKS ENFORCEMENT AFTER-ACTION REPORT
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Receive and accept the 2024 Fireworks Enforcement After-Action Report presented by the Salinas Fire and Police Department.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The attached After-Action Report provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies utilized to enforce laws and ordinances regarding illegal fireworks in the City of Salinas. It outlines both the successes achieved and areas for improvement, guiding future enforcement efforts. Additionally, the report presents statistical data on the sale of 'Safe-n- Sane' fireworks and evaluates the effectiveness of our outreach and enforcement initiatives in curbing illegal fireworks use in Salinas.
BACKGROUND:
The use of illegal fireworks continues to frustrate our citizens and burden our limited public safety resources. As this problem is not unique to the City of Salinas, staff continues to work to find ways to help combat the issue and minimize the impacts to all.
The overall strategy for the public outreach campaign and enforcement plan was a collaborative effort on behalf of the SFD Prevention Division and other City departments, in collaboration with the City Council Fireworks Sub-Committee.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project . The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed Page | 2
action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Accepting this staff report supports the following Council goals:
• Safe Livable Community
• Quality of Life
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
This report is a compilation of information from the different departments and staff who participated in the enforcement operations and public outreach campaigns. The information was gathered by the Salinas Fire Department (SFD), the Salinas Police Department (SPD), Salinas Public Works Department (SPW), Monterey County Emergency Communications Department (ECD), and other City staff.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
Statistical Information:
Duration: June 1st – July 12th, 2024
Funding Sources
2023 2024 % Change
“Safe & Sane” retail fireworks booth application fees: $7,513 $7,933 5.59% “Safe & Sane” fireworks retail sales surcharges (7% of gross): *$71,400 *$51,115 28.41% Illegal fireworks fines collected through Administrative Citations: $55,517 $58,126 4.70% Total Estimated Revenue $134,430 $117,174 $17,256
* Information as provided by wholesalers TNT and Phantom Fireworks.
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Enforcement and Education Expenses
Salinas Fire Department Operations
During this period in 2024, SFD responded to nearly 2,176 emergency incidents. A breakdown of the fire incidents with previous years’ data is provided as follows:
2022 2023 2024
Structure Fires: 56 15 13
Vegetation Fires: 40 62 61
Misc. Fire (Dumpsters, etc.): 38 18 60
Totals: 134 95 134
Administrative Citations
Administrative Citation Issued: 118
Highest Single Citation: $22,500
2023 2024 % Change/Difference
City Staff Overtime: $10,123 $16,628 64% - $6,505
Drone Equipment: $0.00 $14,996 NA - $14,996
Video Equipment: $0.00 $1,100 NA - $1,100
Outside Services: $8,720 $12,561 44% - $3,841
Vehicle Rental: $1,153 $1,411 22% - $258
Sign Printing: $3,500 $0.00 100% - $3,500
Total Expenses: $23,496 $46,696 98% - $23,200
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ATTACHMENTS:
2024 After-Action Report
2024 After-Action PowerPoint