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City staff and providers outline wildfire, public-safety and animal impacts of fireworks ban; enforcement limited by staffing
Summary
Portland officials and outside experts briefed the Community and Public Safety Committee on the local fireworks ban, describing increased 911 call volume around July 4, health effects for veterans and people with PTSD, animal welfare harms, and enforcement limits because of staffing and administrative appeals.
City bureaus and outside experts told the Community and Public Safety Committee on June 24 that Portland's fireworks ban addresses documented safety and health harms but that enforcement is limited by staffing constraints and administrative appeal processes.
Interim Bureau of Emergency Communications Director Steve Maudsley said hourly 911 call volume nearly doubles on July 4 and July 5 and that last year the city saw an average of about 2,300 911 calls on July 4. He said the bureau is asking residents to reserve 911 for life-or-property threats and that a 311 reporting link for fireworks will be launched to route nonemergency complaints.
Fire Marshal Carrie Schimmel described fire risk in Portland's drought conditions and said Title 31 grants Portland Fire and Rescue the authority to cite per incident of illegal fireworks use. She noted the city adopted a comprehensive fireworks ban by ordinance in March 2022, and said citations can be appealed through an administrative process that often reduces or waives fines.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day said officers will be directed to seize fireworks and issue citations where appropriate and that the bureau will brief officers on the public-health impacts raised during public testimony. Chief Day said most enforcement actions during the season rely on patrol availability and voluntary compliance.
Outside witnesses described public-health and animal welfare effects. Dr. Jonathan Betlinski, a psychiatrist at Oregon Health & Science University, testified that fireworks can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and recommended announcing and scheduling displays and using alternatives such as light shows for inclusivity. Debbie Castleton of the City Veterans Empowerment Team described family trauma from fireworks and urged consideration of professional displays and non-explosive alternatives. Dr. Steve Coaches, interim CEO and chief medical officer of the Oregon Humane Society, described increased emergency veterinary visits, more stray animals in municipal shelters around fireworks periods and the limits of sedation to eliminate animal stress.
Councilors asked bureaus about the fine amount and enforcement records. Staff said the city fee schedule allows fines of up to $1,000 for fireworks violations but that Portland Fire and Portland Police did not assess $1,000 fines last July 4 and that staff would follow up with seizure and citation counts from 2024 if available.
No formal policy change or new funding was proposed in the meeting; staff highlighted outreach, a forthcoming 311 fireworks-reporting intake and internal staff direction to emphasize seizure and citation when officers encounter illegal fireworks.
Ending Staff asked for community cooperation in using 311 for nonemergency reports and said bureau leaders will track seizures and citations and provide follow-up data to council on enforcement during the holiday period.
