Fireworks Cancellation Blamed on Firefighters

THE TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS, HAD TO CANCEL their fireworks display that had been scheduled for Thursday night. Many of the townspeople are blaming the firefighters because of what many perceive as a job action.

The Mass. state fire marshal requires that public fireworks displays, no matter what size, have a dedicated fire company on standby at the event. However, Wednesday afternoon Randolph’s fire chief announced that he could not issue a fireworks permit because none of the town’s firefighters would volunteer for the detail.

Randolph FF’s have been working without a contract for about a year and talks have been stalemated. In the previous years the FF’s association has sponsored the fireworks by soliciting the funds for the show and seeing that it goes on, including volunteering for the standby. But earlier this year they told the town council that they would not do it this year.

The business community went out and raised the money for the display, but the FF’s all said that they wanted to enjoy the holiday at home with their families like everybody else does.

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Comment by James Hoy , FF530 on July 11, 2008 at 3:52pm: Sounds like there was lots of fireworks....down at Randolph City Hall. Give the Firefighters what they want, alot is not enough for risking your life every day, even though some of us do it for free.

Comment by Band of Brothers pipes and drums on July 8, 2008 at 8:19pm: The Union's rep should have at least got his face on the news cast to make some issues known. If the community wants fireworks they need to light a fire under the ass of their councilmen and get a contract signed. The community thought the fireworks display was so important to the kids? How important is it to be with our families on the 4th? How much money is enough to be gone from the kids and if you arent getting time and a half or dbbl time, per your contract, its important to get one.

I would think that while fireworks are important on the 4th a fire department not being able to man vehicles for special events like a 4th of July parade or the evening fireworks display might be a wake up call for a community. Im guessing they have bigger issues

Comment by Theresa on July 6, 2008 at 2:55pm: Being on a volunteer department I know how many times I have had to leave my famiily or family parties to answer a call. Family is very important in the Fire Service. I am a 3rd generation firefighter and my kids are 4th. We have other jobs also that take us away from our families. Yet we do a lot of community service for the town.. ie..fire extinguisher training at the elderly housing complex. fire prevention at the schools. mock accidents at prom time, etc.... All these things require a lot of coordinating and volunteering of time and people that the public doesn't see, but the families of these firefighters do. Give them the day off to be with their families and schedule it for a different night.. What a treat to have a special night set aside for just the fireworks. Many towns are doing it now for various reasons. Imagine a clear winters' night with the lights of the fireworks reflecting off the snow,, wow.. also less hazzards of fire from hot embers. We have Christmas in July sales and celebrations, why not July 4th in Winter celebration? Take care and Stay Safe

Comment by Joe Zamgulis on July 6, 2008 at 2:08pm: Good PR for the council, bad PR for the department. It might have been more palitable for them to push the safety aspect of overworked firefighters, vs the we just want to be with our families. If it is a union department, why are people "donating" money to the department?

Comment by lloyd on July 5, 2008 at 7:25pm: It's about time people realize that firefighting is a two sided coin. It takes support on the tax payers side just as it does the firefighters. Hooray for them being strong enough to take a stand!