Firefighters concerned about possible change to Iowa's fireworks law - KCCI Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Local fire departments are expressing concerns about a bill now on the way to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk.

Currently, cities and counties in Iowa can decide where fireworks are sold.

If the bill becomes law, fireworks stands would be allowed in commercial and industrial zones in every city and county in the state.

Clive Firefighter Clay Garcia showed KCCI security camera video from 2019. The video shows discharged fireworks sparked in a garbage can, igniting an entire container of explosives.

Garcia says fire departments are not in favor of the bill allowing fireworks to be sold in industrial and commercial zones.

"Putting those stands next to businesses is a recipe for disaster. We as a city know that better than anyone else," Garcia said.

Senate Democrats argued the bill is dangerous. "It doesn't make any sense to put dangerous explosives on the main street of every Iowa downtown," Sen. Joe Bolkcom said.

Republicans who support the bill say fireworks sales would not be as limited but would still be regulated.

"What this bill does do is provides a check to cities to use spot zoning as an attempt to do an end to run around the state's law that allows fireworks to be sold legally in the state of Iowa," Sen. Mike Klimesh said.

The Senate approved the bill Wednesday and sent it to Gov. Reynolds. Now, fire departments are reaching out to the governor's office with their concerns.

source: https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-firefighters-concerned-about-possible-change-to-iowas-fireworks-sales-law/39603921

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