Columbus, Ohio –
The state has spent a cool $3 million on fireman training since liberalizing its regulations pertaining to fireworks.
Next week, a state board is expected to approve the money’s transfer to the state Fire Marshal’s office. The funding comes from a 4% tax on the gross proceeds of sales of pyrotechnics.
A tiny amount of the money is set aside for administrative expenses related to controlling fireworks sales, with the majority going toward firefighter training.
A nonpartisan (though by no means unanimity) group of legislators approved a bill allowing Ohioans to enjoy fireworks back in 2022. Consumer-grade pyrotechnics could be purchased in Ohio under the prior legislation, but they had to be transported out of the state within 48 hours.
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Although less explosive pyrotechnics, such as sparklers and bang snaps, were permitted, in Ohio, using bottle rockets, firecrackers, and aerial bursts was prohibited since at least 1972.
Ohio residents are now permitted to light fireworks on their property during the following holidays, provided that their local government hasn’t outlawed them:
• January 1st
## Happy Lunar New Year
• May 5th
May Day (the entire weekend)
• Juneteenth
• July 3–5, plus the pre- and post-weekends
• The weekend of Labor Day
• The Diwali
• The Eve of New Year’s
The Fire Marshal is not required by law to direct funds toward training relating to fireworks. Requests for information on the training’s specifics were not answered by an office representative.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office reports that 128 fires were started by pyrotechnics in Ohio last year. Of those, twenty-two led to residential building fires with damages close to $700,000. There have been ten fireworks-related incidents in 2024 thus far, with losses totaling about $10,000.