November 21, 2008
- Yakima, Washington 29
Yakima Fire Crews And The Fourth
By Robin Woodson
YAKIMA -- The 4th of July is typically a busy holiday for firefighters.
Last year, Action News took a ride with the fire department on the holiday, and by the end of the night, crews were hosing down the big fire at Raquet Lane Condominiums. "It is a bit busier, we don't see a dramatic increase, certainly not like years past, but we get a few extra calls," Deputy Fire Marshall, Ron Melcher, said. In years past, Melcher says the department had to use all their resources to answer the calls. "We would literally run from one call to the next, to the next, to the next, and actually, I would hear calls for like brush fires and minor calls that we just couldn't get to," Melcher added. But times have changed. Melcher says since the City passed a ban against fireworks in town, the holiday hasn't been so hectic. "Every year, it seems like fewer and fewer people use fireworks," Melcher said. And it's also made things easier on the department's already strained resources. This holiday, Yakima Fire plans on patrolling the town with two less engines than before and one brush truck. Melcher says the department is confident people are getting the idea. "There are about 5 percent that believe, you know what, it's my God given right to discharge fireworks on the 4th of July, and my answer to them would be, you know it's your neighbor's God given right to not have his house burn down or his property burn down or his landscaping," Melcher said. For those who may be unsure, possessing, selling and setting off fireworks is against the law in Yakima. Those caught could face a minimum fine of $250 and even jail time. So far, YFD tells us there's already been one fire set off by fireworks. The damages were minor, but two people were arrested for it. |
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