RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Department is reminding citizens of the City of Richmond’s fireworks ordinance and safety surrounding fireworks, ahead of the July 4 holiday.

According to Sec. 13-197., fireworks are prohibited in the City of Richmond – except for permitted public displays conducted by professionals. Illegally discharging fireworks may subject the responsible party to legal action. Illegally discharging fireworks is a violation of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. Anyone caught can be subject to penalties of up to $2,500 for each offense and/or up to a year in jail.

Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year, including one recently reported here in the City of Richmond. At approximately 7:12 p.m. on June 17, 2021, a RFD crew responded to the 2100 block of Creighton Road for the report of a teenage patient who had been burned while playing with fireworks. The patient was treated on scene.

Below are some statistics and fireworks safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Fireworks start an average of 19,500 fires per year – including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of five deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and an average of $1053 million in direct property damage.
• In 2018, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,100 people for fireworks related injuries; half of those injuries were to the extremities and 34% were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2018 injuries.
• Sparklers account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries as they burn hot enough to cause third-degree burns.
• Burns account for 44% of the 9,100 injuries treated in emergency rooms seen in the month around July 4.
• Half of the fireworks injuries seen at emergency rooms were extremities: hand, finger, or leg. One-third were to the eye or other parts of the head.
• Children ages 10–14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury, with more than one-third (36%) of the victims of fireworks injuries under age 15.

Below are permitted public fireworks displays in the City of Richmond:

1. Dogwood Dell: The fireworks display will take place on Sunday, July 4 beginning approximately at 9:15 p.m. This year, the City of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will not have entertainment or food vendors available prior to the fireworks show. Seating within the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater will not be available for viewing the fireworks. The show can be seen from the Shields and Swan Lakes area, Fountain Lake area, and the area in front of the historic Carillon.
2. The Diamond: Independence Weekend Celebration with dueling fireworks after the games on Saturday, July 3, 2021 and Sunday, July 4, 2021. Both games at the Diamond on Arthur Ashe Boulevard start at 6:05 p.m.; fireworks to follow.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call our Fire Marshal’s Office directly at (804) 646-6640 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City of Richmond holidays.

RICHMOND, VA — Are you interested in becoming a firefighter? We want you to join our fire family! The Richmond Fire Department is holding an information session for prospective firefighters next week (flyer attached).

WHAT: Recruitment information session

WHEN: Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Fire Station 1 at 308 North 24^th Street

Attendees will have a chance to:

• Talk to active firefighters about the career
• Tour the facility
• Check out the apparatus (there is both a fire engine and fire truck housed at this particular station)
• Get a walkthrough of the online application & breakdown of benefits on-site from a human resources specialist
• Receive tips to train for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
• Learn about some of the department’s historical items on display at Fire Station 1

We are hiring for both lateral and traditional fire recruits. The application window for both positions close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Website to apply – https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/richmond

Website for more information – https://www.rva.gov/fire-emergency-services/employment

RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Department, Richmond Professional Firefighters Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 995 are hosting this year’s Central Virginia Fallen Firefighter & EMS Memorial Service.

In our 163-year history, 48 Richmond firefighters have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the citizens of Richmond.

WHO: RFD, Richmond Professional Firefighters Assoc. and IAFF Local 995        

WHAT: Central Virginia Fallen Firefighter & EMS Memorial Service

WHEN: Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Carillon Tower in Byrd Park

This day of remembrance is open to the public.

RICHMOND, VA — Fire Investigator Brian Acors and Arson K-9 Erny are a certified team for another year. They successfully completed several training drills – including scent discrimination, daisy wheel, and gasoline drops on carpet – during a virtual recertification on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Courtesy of State Farm, you can download a b-roll package of their assessment here – https://vimeo.com/547993853.

Investigator Acors and K-9 Erny are trained through the State Farm Arson Dog Program and went through the training class in August 2020. K-9 Erny is the fourth accelerant detection canine trained through the program for the City of Richmond. Each team must complete an annual recertification in order to remain active in the program. The teams are certified under the standards of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy through the Maine State Police. It is an internationally recognized standard.

“Since 1993, State Farm has been providing the funding for the acquisition and training of accelerant detection canines – more commonly known as arson dogs,” said Heather Paul, State Farm Arson Dog Program Coordinator. “These dogs are trained to work with a handler and alert where an accelerant like gasoline or fuel has been used to potentially start a fire. The benefit, of course, is that these dogs are able to pinpoint where there’s evidence that may be missed by a fire investigator and it is important when it comes to prosecuting arson crime.”

As of April 2021, State Farm has been able to place more than 425 teams across the United States and Canada. Currently, there are over 100 certified teams that have been trained through the State Farm Arson Dog Program.

RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit has identified the victims of the two latest fatal house fires as:

1. 3206 5^th Avenue: Tanica Bryant, 45 years old
2. 3206 Delaware Avenue: Leroy Davis, 75 years old

At approximately 5:53 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, crews responded to 3206 5th Avenue for the report of a house fire. Once on scene, they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure. The occupants were already outside. Richmond Ambulance Authority crews transported Tanica Bryant and another adult female to a local hospital for treatment. Bryant succumbed to her injuries Tuesday, May 4, 2021. The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit is still working to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

At approximately 9:41 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021, crews responded to 3206 Delaware Avenue for the report of a house fire. Once on scene, they saw heavy smoke coming from the residence, which had evidence of what appeared to be hoarding inside. At 9:57 a.m., RFD crews found Leroy Davis on the second floor of the home and quickly brought him outside. RFD crews provided immediate care and Henrico County medics transported Davis to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit determined the fire was accidental and started in a first-floor room on the left side of the residence.

There have been five fatal house fires in the City of Richmond so far this year. The Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services is starting the “Fire Safety Five to Stay Alive” campaign and would like to remind citizens of these best practices:

1. Get out and stay out of a house on fire. Make and practice a fire escape plan.
2. Clear the clutter, as it can become an obstacle to escape. Have a clear path to your exits.
3. Do not overload extension cords and power strips. Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
4. Have working smoke alarms and test them once a month. Replace your alarms after 10 years.
5. Always smoke outside. Never smoke in bed. Make sure cigarettes and ashes are put out completely.