July 2 Fireworks Viewing Areas Will Be Restricted Due To Safety Concerns

CHATHAM – Planning to attend the July 2 fireworks at Veterans Field? Better arrive early. Viewing areas around the field might be a bit tight.

 A number of locations in the vicinity of the field where spectators were previously allowed will be restricted this year. Public safety officials said the change is necessary to ensure the safety of the thousands of people who attend the annual display.

 The safety perimeter around the fireworks launching site, located in the middle of the outfield, was expanded for the most recent First Night display, excluding spectators from the space between the right side of the field and the playground, according to Fire Chief Justin Tavano. Despite the move, a spectator outside of the safety perimeter reportedly suffered an injury from fireworks debris, he wrote in a memo to the select board.

 For the July 2 display, sponsored by the Chatham Athletics Association, the safety zone will almost double in size, he said. Depot Road between Old Harbor Road and Post Office Road will be closed to vehicles at 7 p.m. and to pedestrians no later than 8 p.m. The safety perimeter will include the fire station lawn, the green space at the top of the center field hill, the Railroad Museum property and the adjacent tennis courts. Spectators will continue to be prohibited from the area between the first base line and the playground. Pedestrians walking to the field along Hitching Post Road will be diverted through the elementary school parking lot.

 Tavano recommended that spectators view the fireworks from the bleachers behind home plate, the adjacent little league field, the playground and the lawn on the parking lot side of the community center.

 “The message is to show up early,” Tavano said at the May 19 select board meeting. 

 The changes were made in response to several concerns raised by safety officials. While the exclusion zone is larger than required by the state fire code, Tavano said that the code doesn’t reflect the challenges at the site, particularly the unpredictable weather conditions often experienced around the field. During last year’s July fireworks display, for instance, wind speed and direction changed unexpectedly, which created a risk to spectators and nearby property from misfired shells, falling debris and malfunctions. Typically at that time of year, winds are from the south or southwest, he said, often sending smoke and the fallout from exploded fireworks toward the tennis court area.

 Limited emergency access and egress is another issue, the chief said, with congestion around the fire station restricting emergency response. To deal with this, the department will stage equipment and personnel at the public works facility on Crowell Road while a crew remains at the Depot Road station to respond to any incidents in the immediate area. 

 The new safety perimeter was inspected and approved by the state fire marshal’s office, Tavano said. He added that the fireworks contractor, Pyrotecnico Inc., will use a small size product to reduce the risk of debris falling outside the restricted area.

 Enforcing the new restrictions will require a significant amount of staff. The fire department’s regular shift of seven firefighters will be on duty along with seven additional personnel, some of whom will be assigned to the DPW while two will be stationed at the launch site, Tavano said. He has also requested 15 to 20 volunteers from the Brewster-Orleans-Chatham-Harwich Community Response Team to assist with crowd control.

 Additionally 11 police officers have been requested, said Chatham Athletics Association President Steve West. The association will foot the bill for the public safety details, he added.

 The fifth annual Independence Day fireworks display begins at 7 p.m. with kids activities, said West. Dan Clark, the Singing Trooper, will perform patriotic songs beginning around 8 p.m., with the 15- to 20-minute fireworks display following shortly after 9 p.m.

 The event has been growing more expensive, West acknowledged, with this year’s budget at about $40,000. “But quite frankly we’re doing it because it is such a well-attended and well-liked and a sesquicentennial event for the country,” he said.

 Select board member Randi Potash asked if the association had considered a drone show rather than fireworks. To have as much impact as fireworks, a drone show “is going to be a lot more than the fireworks show,” West responded.

 “I’m confident that we’ll put on a safe and exciting and fun event for everybody,” he said.