New legislation calls for new fireworks bylaw

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

As the hammer was brought down in Ottawa to affect legislative changes to the Natural Resources Canada Explosive Act and Regulations and a new Alberta fire code 2014, which was adopted at the end of February, Strathmore introduced a new bylaw to solely focus on the issue of fire works. The new bylaw, a linchpin to the all-encompassing original fire bylaw, will serve to accommodate the newfound need to deal with fireworks within the town.
The Explosive Safety and Security Branch (ESSB) – an organization which also adopted other modifications to the Alberta Building Code and the National Energy Code for Buildings five months ago – monitors and polices fireworks within Canada through the Explosive Act.
As a result of the changes, Strathmore is required to monitor recording of files, reports, and returns in relation to fireworks. While the issue was previously identified in the existing 2005 fire bylaw 05-02, the information contained therein remained basic.
“The new bylaw that I’m proposing identifies what the fireworks are in the Town of Strathmore, and it also provides details for the licensing of pyro technicians and persons to fire or set off fireworks,” said Muir Furzer, Strathmore’s fire chief, at the town council meeting on Aug. 5.
“It also provides documentation to provide a paper trail to monitor the different types of fireworks that are being used in Strathmore, and the different levels of certification by pyro technicians that are hired by different venues within Strathmore. This is the idea of our bylaw.”
As fireworks are explosive devices, classified as dangerous goods under the Alberta Fire Code when used improperly, bylaw 15-16 prohibits the possession, purchase, sale, storage, or discharge of fireworks by anyone who does not posses a valid Fireworks Display Supervisor card.
While Furzer said the new bylaw will provide authority to use greater enforcement in handing of fireworks, when asked whether the town bylaw officers would be required to use a different level of vigilance by Councillor Denise Peterson, he said the bylaw under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) provides the municipality with a system for licences, permits, and approvals. Furthermore, it will aid in the protection and the safety of Strathmore residents.
Councillor Peterson stated she believed it to be an excellent bylaw that was well presented and established, a comment that was echoed by Councillor Brad Walls.
“I commend [the fire chief] on getting a bylaw together so that we would be able to record and figure out who’s doing what, and I really like this bylaw I think it’s going to be really good for this town,” said Councillor Brad Walls.
Town council unanimously approved the stand-alone bylaw, with its purpose to regulate fireworks within Strathmore, during their regular council meeting on Aug. 5.