Fireworks and Calling 911; When is it appropriate?

Lake Forest Park Police non-emergency number: 

206-364-8216

Shoreline Police non-emergency number: 

206-296-3311

Fireworks and Calling 911; When is it appropriate?

From the Office of the State Fire Marshall

Every year around the Fourth of July, 911 operators are inundated with calls regarding fireworks. The majority of these calls are non-emergency related, but tie up the 911 system, potentially delaying an emergency call from getting through.

The chart below has been produced with input from a number of Emergency Dispatch Centers and should be used as a guide when determining to call 911 regarding fireworks.

Who do you call to report illegal fireworks or suspicious activities involving fireworks?

Incident or Question?	Call 9-1-1?	If not a call to 9-1-1 who should I call?
Are fireworks legal within the city or county I live in?	No	Fireworks inquiries can be answered by searching the internet for local restrictions or calling the local police or fire department’s non-emergency phone number.
I want to report fireworks violations: ·        Being used in a fireworks ban area ·        Time of use (after 11:00 p.m. and before 9:00 a.m.)	No	Fireworks violations may be reported by calling the police department’s non-emergency phone number.
I have a firework related injury from using fireworks, example: ·       Burns ·       Injury to eye ·       Severed body parts	Yes Call 9-1-1
A fire has started from the use of fireworks.	Yes Call 9-1-1
The neighbor is using illegal fireworks (M-80’s).	Yes Call 9-1-1	Or the local police department’s non-emergency phone number.
Where do I get a Fireworks Stand License from?	No	Call the Office of the State Fire Marshal at (360) 596-3913 or check the internet.
I have old consumer fireworks I want to get rid of.	No	Call the local police or fire department’s non-emergency phone number.
I have found a short piece of pipe with a fuse coming out of it.	Yes Call 9-1-1	Leave the device where it is and do not pick it up.
There is a storage container at the neighbor’s house loaded with fireworks.	No	Call the local police or fire department’s non-emergency phone number.
My next door neighbor is making fireworks in his garage.	Yes Call 9-1-1

Calling 9-1-1:            

Reporting illegal activities or use of fireworks to 9-1-1 should be limited to those instances when the activity is in progress and poses a threat or danger to others or yourself.

Remember the 3 B’s of Fireworks

• Be Prepared—Have water nearby and put pets indoors
• Be Safe—Only adults should light fireworks
• Be Responsible—Clean up fireworks debris

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.

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