Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Bloomfield, Missouri – The Bloomfield Firefighter’s Association will conduct the city’s fireworks display shortly after dark on Thursday, July 4^th at the Bloomfield City Park.

The fireworks display is solely supported through private donations and the cost is about $4,000 to host a display like they had last year.  This year the Bloomfield Firefighters Association is hoping to raise at least that amount for this week’s celebration.

A fireworks display on the 4th of July is as American as apple pie, backyard barbecues and baseball.  However, safety must always be the primary concern whether at a large public display or backyard outing.

The Missouri Division of Fire Safety has the duty of enforcing the laws governing the sale and use of fireworks, licensing individuals responsible for public displays and the inspection of sites where fireworks are sold or displayed.

An important aspect of the fireworks enforcement program is the testing and licensing of fireworks display operators and pyrotechnic operators.  Before obtaining a license, all applicants must attend an approved training class, pass a state examination, and provide documentation of assisting with actual displays.  The division licenses over 550 display operators for public displays.

Not just anyone can go out and purchase Class B fireworks and use them in a display.  Multi-shot ground and shell displays, which are common to large fireworks display and are designed to fire simultaneously an arrangement of shell sequences in a horizon or angle effect.  Your normal day-to-day Roman candles purchased at a fireworks tent are nothing compared to the 3” diameter of a display Roman candle.

For a small city type display to last approximately an hour the cost can exceed $4,000 to $5,000.   Some of the large shows like in Boston, New York or Washington, D.C. can cost in the upwards of $100,000 or more. 

Purchasing the fireworks is not the only cost involved.  There is also training, licensing, permits, documentation, safety personnel must also be on hand such as your local fire department and/or ambulance service. 

We applaud efforts of the Bloomfield Firefighter's Association and appreciate all that they are doing to allow us to celebrate our Independence Day with tradition.  There is no government funding for their display, so if you can donate just a little to keep our fireworks tradition alive for our children, it is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to donate, please contact Brooke Smith at 820-7841 or Randall McCollum at 820-1640.  You may also make checks payable to Bloomfield Firefighters Association and send to BLFA, 21681 County Road 510, Bloomfield, MO 63825.

“With your donation and dedication to our community, we can continue this family-oriented celebration of our country’s independence the way our forefathers intended.”