06/29/12 The Town of Bremen is going ahead with a public fireworks display on July 4 as a part of their annual Bremen Firemen’s Festival. Rich Martin, Bremen director of operations, indicated that they have a number of safety measures planned including watering down the field in Sunnyside Park two hours before the 10:30 fireworks display. Martin said the town has 13 pieces of fire apparatus that will be on hand and they expect most, if not all, of the 28 volunteers and 10 substitute fire fighters to be at the event. He said, “The wooded area nearby is green and cooled.” He added, “We are using common sense and have defiantly done our homework.”
According to Bremen Police Chief, Matt Hassle, a decision to cancel or proceed could be made up until the last minute. Hassle said if they receive word in advance that the fireworks portion is canceled, he will email local media.
This week, Clyde Avery, Marshall County EMA Director, at the request of the Marshall County Commissioners issued a Disaster Declaration regarding the Burn Ban that now includes prohibiting the use of all fireworks public or private. The Declaration included the following: “The local area Fire Chiefs were consulted and based on their experience and the current conditions, they believe that in the interest of public safety, the burn ban should remain in place and that public displays and use of the consumer fireworks should be prohibited.”
Martin said they are going by the state statue and town ordinances that allow them to proceed. Fireworks are allowed from June 29-July 9. The time allowed on July 4 is extended to midnight.
Avery said the Marshall County commissioners set the first “ban burn” on June 13 and have re-evaluated each week. The latest directive was set on June 27 and is in place until further notice. According to Avery, his role is to give the commissioners information that he has gathered and the final decisions are made by the commissioners. He said he reported what he had learned from surveying fire chiefs, the National Weather Service, and the USDA. Although there is no county ordinance in place concerning the specifics of the latest Disaster Declaration, the commissioners do have “exceptional powers” to restrict activities.
Martin said they would follow any directives from the state level on the matter.
Plymouth Speedway had planned on having a July 4th fireworks celebration on Friday night but due to the county wide burn ban owner, Ed Kennedy has decided to postpone them. He said, “I want to have the safety of the community come first!”
Carol Anders Correspondent
