Galt updates fireworks ordinance in effort to defuse potential damage
The Galt City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an updated ordinance that mandates illegal fireworks are prohibited, and that anyone in violation could be fined as much as $1,000.
In addition, the ordinance states that property owners who host individuals using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for each individual device, facing fines of as much as $1,000 for each one.
An officer who responds to an incident will have the authority to confiscate and destroy any firework on the property, including the "Safe and Sane" devices.
TJ Guidotti, the city's code enforcement supervisor, said Galt's current ordinance regarding fireworks had not been updated in about 10 years, and Tuesday's action was to ensure reduction of the risk of fire, injuries and other damages.
Updating the ordinance would also strengthen partnerships between Galt Police and Cosumnes Fire departments, whose officers and firefighters are typically busy during the days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.
"(Activities vary) From making sure every firework stand is licensed, every box being sold has the State Fire Marshal's stamp on it, and that at any given time these fireworks stands could be inspected," Guidotti said.
Safe and Sane fireworks are the only devices allowed within the Galt city limits, and can only be sold, used or transported between noon on June 28 and 5 p.m. on July 5.
Selling Safe and Sane fireworks also requires a city license.
Safe and Sane fireworks are ground-based devices that do not fly or explode, such as fountains, sparklers, and certain types of ground spinners.
Councilman Tim Reed, who has spent 27 years as a firefighter and EMT, said the 4th of July is one of the most stressful days for first responders because of the amount of incidents to which they report.
"Anytime we can do something ahead of time to address things like this would be great," he said. "Just last Fourth of July, I sat watching fireworks and I saw houses on fire in Sacramento, and they didn't have units to send because they were all out responding to other things."
Mayor Shawn Farmer said the ordinance was not designed to punish residents who use legal fireworks, adding he had friends who lost homes last summer, most likely due to illegal devices.
"We're not here as a city council or city to cut in on the right to celebrate a patriotic holiday," he said. "We just ask that you use fireworks that are allowed, and not be reckless."
The ordinance's adoption comes as Cosumnes Fire Chief Felipe Rodriguez reported Tuesday that there is a risk of a wildfire breaking out in the rural areas of Galt, as well as near seasonal waterways.
However, he said any wildfire that ignites in the area will not be as disastrous as those in Altadena and Palisades, which were located in very high hazard zones.
"We don't have any of those in Sacramento County," he said. "We have some moderate areas and areas of influence, but we don't have significant potential like they do in Palisades, where from sea level to the top of palisades is 2,000 feet of elevation. We're pretty flat here."
Rodriguez said his staff responds to as many as 30 fires between Galt and Elk Grove around the Independence Say holiday.
Crews typically respond to a few incidents on a normal day throughout the year, and answering more than 20 in a single day can be a lot to handle, he said.
However, Rodriguez said Galt has 9 million gallons of water in storage that can be used to fight any fire that breaks out, and 1,152 working fire hydrants.
He said his staff is currently working on a schedule to inspect each hydrant on an annual basis instead of the five year cycle currently in place.
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