The July 4th weekend did not break any records for the Rio Vista Fire Department (RVFD), with respect to incidents and ‘calls-for-service’. Since 8:00 AM on the morning of July 4th, we responded to only 13 calls for service in the Community and the surrounding area. However, two of those incidents (fires) were fires attributed to fireworks – either as the determined or suspected cause
Like most of California, we had more than our share of illegal (aerial) firework activity on the evening of the 4th, and we suspect that will continue for the next few weeks. For the first time since Fire Chief Armstrong’s tenure at RVFD, Fire Department members (and mutual aid assistance) proactively patrolled the Community for firework safety and education in a coordinated fashion. We were primarily focused on education and promoting safety. Early in the evening we were pleased to see families preparing for legal fireworks use, with buckets of water, “social distancing” and other safety measures in place. Fire Department members stopped and visited with our Community and handed out stickers to the neighborhood kids.
As the evening progressed, the environment changed in several areas of town. The gatherings became larger and encroached on streets, preventing traffic and fire department vehicles from accessing neighbors in a timely manner. The groups were large, open containers of alcohol were seen and no masks or social distancing were witnessed. The cars parked in neighborhoods seemed to indicate a number of visitors, from either other neighborhoods in Rio Vista, or out of town.
Supporting our patrol, was a drone that was actively filming the lighting of illegal fireworks by residents or visitors, with the drone operator communicating to ground resources with the location and description of the individual. As a result, many contacts were made, unsafe practices halted, and illegal fireworks seized. RVFD focused on prevention that included confiscation of fireworks, issuing warnings, collecting footage from the air and ground, while maintaining our physical distance from these large gatherings.
We are currently working with the Rio Vista Police Department to review drone and cell phone footage that identifies those who were in possession of and used illegal fireworks. Follow-up will be conducted with the District Attorney that may include citations and court summons for those responsible. Meanwhile, RVFD will also be evaluating our future in enforcement and determining our role, needs and the possible need for an Arson team and associated policies.
We would like to thank those who made this 4th of July a ‘safe and sane’ one. We appreciate your support along with the inquires, calls, and tips related to fireworks. While we could not respond to each of you, you all are an important part of our Community.
Your Life, Our Mission!