The Fort Worth Fire Department is urging people to use the city's app or a non-emergency number to report fireworks. On a "busy day," the department says it will respond to 400 calls. Over an eight-hour period on July 4, the department expects to receive 2,500 calls.
"If we tried to use the systems that are built and exist, it would collapse our 911 systems," Richard Harrison of the Fort Worth Fire Department said.
Instead, Harrison urged people to report fireworks using the "MyFW" app, http://reportfireworks.fortworthtexas.gov, or calling (817) 392-4444. He said city departments work together to provide extra manpower for reports of fireworks.
"911 is for when we have imminent threats to somebody's health, life, welfare, or property," he said. "We've got those frontline resources out there. Whether it's fire, police, MedStar, we're out there and we're ready to respond through those systems."
State law forbids setting off fireworks from cars, within 100 feet of a place where fireworks are sold, or storing flammable materials within 600 feet of locations like churches, schools, and hospitals. Many cities, including Fort Worth, do not allow fireworks.
"They're dangerous, and I know that message can start sounding like background noise, but these can cause catastrophic injuries," Harrison said.
The National Fire Protection Association said fireworks start 19,000 fires and send 9,000 people to the emergency room every year. Harrison urged people to see a professional show.
He said Fort Worth Fire has worked with Panther Island Pavilion to prevent a repeat of last year's fire. The show was stopped early in 2022 when grass around the Trinity River caught fire.
"Since the conclusion of last year's event, we immediately started talking about preplanning and looking at different options, trying to avoid that situation," Harrison said. "We're certainly aware of it. We're working with our partners over there."
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