Fireworks Seminar Partners
State and Federal Agencies
Missouri ranks number one in federal fireworks licenses/permits
JEFFERSON CITY, April 17, 2006-Anticipating the upcoming
fireworks season, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation,
Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri State Fire Marshal’s
Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission hosted an informational seminar today on fireworks.
According to ATF officials today, Missouri currently
leads the nation with 258 federal fireworks licenses/permits. Behind
Missouri, Kansas was issued 162; Pennsylvania 115; Illinois 108 and
Iowa 99.
Missouri Public Safety Director Mark James emphasized
how important a collaborative effort is to public safety issues that
involve multiple disciplines.
“Today’s seminar promotes an enhanced working
relationship between the fireworks industry and federal, state and
local law enforcement,” James said. “I appreciate the
efforts on all accounts to cross disciplines and achieve a multi-facet
workshop.”
Mid-Missourians who hold explosives licenses or permits
gathered in the Truman State Office building in Jefferson City. The
seminar was free and provided a unique opportunity to learn about
up-dated information concerning buying, possessing, selling and storing
commercial fireworks with one-on-one access to expert agencies in
the law enforcement and transportation fields.
“We are pleased to join with our partners in
offering this seminar,” said Mike Boxler, Special Agent in Charge
of ATF in Missouri. “Our goal is to promote safety within the
fireworks industry and to the public that enjoys the displays.”
ATF is the primary, federal law enforcement agency
for investigating arson and explosives incidents. The U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from
unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000
types of consumer products.