Slow fireworks sales affects fire training funding - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The restrictions and outright bans on fireworks across more than half the state are killing sales and cutting the money big city and small town fire departments depend on for training.

When the state legislature legalized fireworks, it added a special sales tax to raise millions of dollars to train firefighters. The loss of that tax revenue is an unintentional consequence of banning fireworks.

Fireworks store owners say business is terrible, down at least 70 percent, according to their trade association. Poor sales mean less money to train firefighters, since buyers pay a special five-percent public safety tax when they purchase fireworks. That's all the money the Indiana Department of Homeland Security receives to train volunteer and professional firefighters across the state.

The $2 million program, which provides both basic and advanced safety and survival training to 10,000 firefighters every year, could be cut by more than half.

"We are concerned about that," said Joe Wainscott, executive director of IDHS.

He says less funding could "a possibility" of less training for firefighters, a serious concern for fire departments of all sizes. Many small volunteer departments don't have the money to conduct their own training. Larger departments with their own training academies also depend on the state program. The Wayne Township Fire Department sends about 20 firefighters to the classes.

"That's how we improve our services. That's how we make sure our firefighters go on a run and come back to their families at the end of the day," said Wayne Township Fire Division Chief Mike Pruitt.

Wayne Township and other fire departments may have to adapt and improvise if programs are cut.

To make up for the lost revenue, IDHS will look for grants and may consider asking the state legislature for additional funding. Compared to the severe drought conditions and potential dangers of personal fireworks, it's an option Wainscott prefers.

"I would much rather do that than I would working on some major disaster declaration, where homes and businesses are burned or people injured," he said.

Both the state and local fire departments have time on their side, as any loss of tax revenue won't be felt until next year. Both have an opportunity to revise training priorities and find other sources to make up for the lost money.