HomeMy WebLinkAbout071023 FW_ High Fire Declaration_ complaint regarding
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From: David Neuenschwander
Sent: Sunday, July 9, 2023 5:42:57 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Greg Brotherton; Heidi Eisenhour; Kate Dean
Subject: High Fire Declaration, complaint regarding
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Commissioners:
I request the following complaint be read into the record for the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting.
Complaint
* That the High Fire Hazard Declaration issued by the Fire Marshal dated June 30, 2023
* Was ill-timed and capricious
* Failed to take into account economic damage to the citizens of the county
* Showed a lack of professional judgment
Specifications
* Ill-timed and capricious
* 8.75.040 Prohibited acts – Exceptions allows for sale, use and discharge of fireworks from June 28 through July 4 of each year
* (Oddly, the County ordinance does not specifically allow sale, use and discharge of fireworks on June 30)
* The Declaration making fireworks illegal came right in the middle of a period that the county set aside for legal sale and use
* Economic damage
* Fireworks stands invested in fireworks they expected to sell for the fourth of July.
* The declaration prohibited sales, depriving fireworks stands of potential revenue
* The declaration basically made their unsold inventory useless and an economic loss
* Individual consumers likely purchased fireworks before the declaration in anticipation of setting them off on July 4th
* The declaration made their unused fireworks illegal
* Professional judgment
* The Fire Marshal did not take into account the above considerations and demonstrated a lack of professional judgment
Recommendation
* The Commission should prepare a written letter of reprimand to the Fire Marshal
* Outlining the above
* Citing a lack of professional judgment and
* Including an expectation that future declarations, if any, should occur not less than 30 days in advance of allowed fireworks sale, use and discharge
* The Commission should amend 8.75.040 Prohibited acts – Exceptions to allow for sale, use and discharge of fireworks on June 30 of each year
David Neuenschwander
142 Old Lindsay Hill Rd.
Quilcene, WA 98376
360.765.3151