Putting a pop into July… Fireworks largest fundraiser for local volunteer fire departments
Published 12:17 pm Friday, June 26, 2020
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The sale of fireworks for the Fourth of July is the largest fundraiser that Hampton Volunteer Fire Department has during the year. The fire department counts on the money to help with costly operational expenses during the course of the year.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Hampton Volunteer Fire Department has opened their doors on Highway 19-E for its annual Fourth of July fundraiser. They are currently opened from 10 am to 10 pm but will be opened later as the days wind down toward the holiday.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Customers can help the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department by purchasing fireworks during their annual sale. There is no tax charged on firework purchases from the fire department.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders One of the expenses for the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department is replacing gear such as turnout gear and air packs which is an extensive costs to the departments. Payments on fire trucks along with fuel are just a few examples of some of the cost to the departments as well.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
It might seem ironic that one of the biggest fundraisers for local volunteer fire departments like the Hampton/Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department comes from the proceeds from the sale of fireworks for the Fourth of July.
However, that has been the case for the 15 years that the Hampton department has been selling fireworks to customers who continue to come back year after year.
With the announcement of many larger firework displays like the Johnson City Pepsi Firework Display being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, individual purchases have surged during the opening sale of fireworks this year.
“It’s actually been pretty good for us as far as these other places not having them this year,” said Hampton Assistant Fire Chief Scottie Wilson. “Johnson City is not having their fireworks this year and other places as well.
“We are off to a really good start this year. Last year we sold $1,000 worth during the first week and this year we sold $7,000. We still have about the same amount of fireworks as we did last year.
“Once we sell out we may have about a couple of thousand dollars more fireworks than we did last year. People seem to be buying them sooner this year.”
The additional sales of fireworks so far is a welcome sight for the firemen who depend on the proceeds from the fundraiser to help cover many expenses that the department has to cover throughout the year.
Some of those expenses include payments on two fire trucks, insurance, fuel, utilities for two facilities, repairs to vehicles, and equipment that needs to be replaced such as hoses that get holes from fire and metal during battling of fires, turnout gear, and air packs and tanks.
It is conceivably if the fundraiser isn’t successful the department would have their hands tied to be able to do their jobs the way they are required to do.
With Hampton being the centralized fire department, they are responsible for assisting neighboring departments as well as the city fire departments when they are called out to larger fires such as the Dale Earnhardt plane crash one year ago.
“Without this fundraiser, we wouldn’t be able to pay for our trucks, it takes care of insurance and things like that. It is our biggest fundraiser,” Wilson added.
The department also tries to educate its customers about the proper firework safety with help from the U.S. Forestry Service.
“Usually, James with the Forestry Department comes down and brings pamphlets to give out,” said Wilson. “We will also answer any questions that our customers have about the particular fireworks that they are looking to purchase.”
The fireworks carried by the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department include fireworks for all ages as it is important that the little ones have fun but have fun safely with the fireworks.
“We have different kinds of fireworks for different ages,” stated Wilson. “For the younger children, we have like sparklers and snap pops and some fireworks that stay on the ground. And then we have those that are launched and we will tell customers how to set up to shoot those off.”
If customers are looking to make sure they have fireworks to put on a show for their family and friends, it is important to know that once the current stock is sold it will be hard to get more fireworks in.
For that reason, Wilson encourages those who are looking to get some great deals on fireworks and help out the department in the process not to wait until just before the Fourth of July as with brisk sales, the supplies may not last.
“If we run out it will be probably hard to get more since most of the fireworks come from China and many that were ordered late are sitting in shipping yards unable to be shipped,” Wilson said.
“We do try to order fireworks for the next year as soon as we finish the ones we have so we can make sure we will have them for the next year. The distributor we buy our fireworks allows us to pay for them once we sell them so we don’t have to come up with the money all at one time.”
For those who do not feel comfortable setting off fireworks, Wilson said that the fire department will be hosting their annual firework show the week following the Fourth of July holiday.
“We will be having our fireworks at the Hampton station on July 11th,” Wilson commented. “We normally have fireworks, food, bouncing inflatables for the children, and a band playing.
“We also demonstrate how fires burn in a house and around a tank in our training area so people will see what we have to face when fighting these types of fires.”
Other local fire departments that are selling fireworks this year include Roan Mountain, Elk Mills/Poga, Watauga, and the Central Volunteer Fire Departments.
Unfortunately, the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department isn’t participating in firework sales this year.
The Hampton fire department also raises donations by mailouts to residents they serve.
All photos are by Ivan Sanders.
