Councillor speaks out on effect of fireworks on son
A MUM of a military veteran has shared her son’s harrowing story to highlight the effects that fireworks can have on someone with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Jill Bonetto was speaking as a council passed a motion calling for shops to sell quieter fireworks, public firework displays to be advertised well in advance and the development of a public awareness campaign about the effect on animals, people with PTSD and those with autism.
Jill, a Labour councillor, told a meeting of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council that it’s “very personal” for her as her son was a serving soldier with the 7th Armoured Brigade, also known as the “desert rats”.
She said: “He came away with PTSD. He still has it. It doesn’t go away.
“The effect (of fireworks on people with PTSD) is not pleasant to watch and neither is it pleasant for them.
“He was back in a war zone when those fireworks went off.
“My son will not go out. It is 20 years later.”
She said he will stay indoors when fireworks are going off and turn the television up loud.
Council leader Andrew Morgan said the local authority has put out letters to residents and press releases to warn people about the firework show as part of the Nos Galan Road Races in Mountain Ash and had even considered having a laser show instead, with a review of its use of fireworks set to be completed before the 2020-21 event.
The “notice of motion” was put forward by Labour councillor Sharon Rees.
It stated: “The impact of fireworks is increasingly a concern to residents who either own pets or armed forces personnel suffering with PTSD.
“RSPCA Cymru has launched a campaign to increase awareness and reduce the potential for injury or distress to animals by proposing the adoption of a policy for the responsible sale of fireworks, including the potential for silent fireworks, which would achieve a compromise between allowing our communities to celebrate key events while ensuring that these celebrations are conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner.”
Pauline Jarman, leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, suggested an amendment that would see people with autism included alongside animals and people suffering with PTSD. After some debate over the wording, Cllr Rees agreed to include this in her original motion.
A report will be brought to the council explaining how the authority might be able to help the RSPCA’s campaign through launching a campaign of its own, requiring public events to advertise in advance and encouraging shops to sell quieter fireworks.
The council will also write to the Welsh Government urging it to do what it can to reduce any harm caused to animals and vulnerable people by firework displays.
The motion mentions the council’s commitment to animal welfare through the Lucy’s Law campaign and to the armed forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant, with a cinema screening for veterans with PTSD recently held at the Park and Dare Theatre in Treorchy on Bonfire Night.