Phoenix launches fireworks safety task force, expands inspections and outreach ahead of July 4

City of Phoenix officials on an annual fireworks-safety media event announced a new fireworks safety task force that combines Phoenix Fire, Phoenix Police, public works and parks staff with community partners to expand inspections, public outreach and targeted enforcement ahead of the July 4 holiday.

The task force, city leaders said, will increase inspections of retail fireworks sellers, run a co-branded public awareness campaign and deploy designated enforcement units in police precincts to respond to calls about illegal fireworks. "This task force brings together Phoenix fire, Phoenix police, our public works and parks departments and community partners to address fireworks safety from every angle," Vice Mayor Anne O'Brien said.

The announcement emphasized both traditional fireworks risks and wildfire prevention. "We've also added a very important wildfire safety component this year," a Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson said, and the city invited state and federal wildfire response partners to the event to share guidance.

Why it matters: city officials said outreach and inspections helped reduce fireworks-related incidents by roughly 37% year over year, a figure cited by Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Eric Williams as evidence the outreach campaign can work. The…