Staying safe and sane

First responders are ready for a Fourth of July filled with activity, but want to make sure the public is, too

Santa Clarita Valley’s first responders are preparing for one of their busiest nights of the year Wednesday, hopeful the public will do its part to keep the SCV safe.

An extreme fire danger, dry conditions and a suburban population surrounded by a natural habitat that regularly experiences brush fires this time of year are all enough to put firefighters and deputies on edge.

The city of Santa Clarita and the county Sheriff’s Department have partnered for a “report illegal fireworks” program that incentivizes SCV residents to say something if they see something, but there are additional challenges to reaching all of the reports when the station becomes “inundated” with anywhere from 150 to 250 calls during the holiday.

“We’re pretty much inundated with calls,” said Sgt. Tim Vander Leek of the SCV Sheriff’s Station. “We will have, as we’ve had in prior years, suppression teams that we’ve had out there, solely handling fireworks calls that will free up our deputies to handle other crimerelated matters.”

First responders got together Monday to urge people, yet again, to attend sanctioned organized fireworks shows this Fourth of July and, at the same time, report those running private firework shows.

The city is also encouraging residents to report their neighbors when illegal activity is seen.

“It’s a busy night, as it is most places on the Fourth of July — and we’re going to do our best, as well as L.A. County Fire,” Vander Leek said, “because we don’t want to see a fire happening, especially in a residential area, and that’s where most of those (illegal) fireworks are going to be going off.

See something, say something, get $500

Santa Clarita city officials confirmed Tuesday its incentive program is still in place for reporting illegal fireworks. The city is offering a cash reward up to $500 if someone comes forth with valuable information that leads to the citation(s) of the person or persons responsible for illegal fireworks. Residents are encouraged to provide their tip by calling the SCV Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.

“For the purpose of this specific crime, illegal firework activity, the reward(s) will be distributed only to those who provide information which leads to the successful citation of the individual(s) committing the crime,” according to a statement from the city. Station officials would then notify the city if a reward is merited. In the event there are multiple contributors of information, the reward amount will be divided by the city “in the manner it shall deem appropriate.”

Emergency officials once again urged safety, not just for the public’s surroundings, but also against the threat of personal injury.

Dr. Matt Young, of the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills, speaking at Monday’s press conference, shared tragic stories of kids having lost their fingers and eyes because of fireworks.

Young shared the story of a 15-year-old boy who lost one eye, several fingers and a leg having bundled sparklers together.

“The No. 1 cause of injuries are sparklers,” he said. “A lot of people think they’re safe.

“But, in the hands of children, it can cause them to lose their eyesight, their clothing can catch fire,” he said. “A sparkler can cause devastating effects.”