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Fire department reports 92 fireworks-related incidents, 19 citations during 2025 season
Summary
Wichita Fire Department reported 92 fireworks-related responses and 3 structural fires linked to fireworks contents during the 2025 season; outreach and permit-fee revenue funded part of enforcement, and staff plan expanded messaging and committee review ahead of 2026.
The Wichita Fire Department briefed council on the 2025 fireworks season, reporting 92 fireworks-related incidents, three structural fires involving fireworks contents, and 29 reported injuries.
Jose O'Kees of the fire department summarized policy changes since 2023: the city moved to allow certain aerial fireworks in phased steps (first limited dates, then expanded sales in 2024) and in 2025 adjusted local rules to align with a new state statute while banning brick-and-mortar sales inside city limits. He said the department responded to 92 calls tied to fireworks, and that 410 within-city calls were classified as ordinance violations out of 1,188 non-emergent fireworks calls received by emergency communications. The department issued 19 citations this year and used permit-fee revenue (about $112,500) to fund enforcement and outreach work.
O'Kees said enforcement teams were reduced this year compared with 2024 (patrols cut by roughly 50 percent) and that officers focused on enforceable hours and hotspot patrols; the department ran 14 enforcement teams (one firefighter and one officer per vehicle for hotspots) plus two fire-investigator teams. He said courts have dismissed or questioned some fireworks citations when there is insufficient direct observation versus debris evidence, which affects the department's enforcement approach.
The council asked about pre-holiday patrols, real-time information and drone use; staff said cameras and police real-time software are under discussion. Council members praised the outreach campaign and recommended continued use of the program’s metrics. The department said it will revisit committee recommendations and outreach plans before the 2026 season, particularly given the America250 celebrations and a July Fourth that falls on a three-day weekend next year.
Next steps: staff will reconvene fireworks committees, examine enforcement and outreach timing and propose adjustments for 2026.
