Title
Vote to approve pyrotechnics display for the Silk Hope Ruritan’s Club “Summer Spectacular 2025” located at 4221 Silk Hope Rd. Siler City NC on July 19, 2025
Abstract
Introduction & Background: North Carolina General Statute 14-410 and 14-413 (Attachment #A) requires that pyrotechnic displays be pre-approved by the County Board of Commissioners that the display is to be conducted in. Mr. Kevin Wetzel, Wetzel Pyrotechnics, has submitted a letter of request (Attachment #B) to conduct a Pyrotechnic display at the Briar Chapel community Association located at Silk Hope Ruritan’s Club “Summer Spectacular 2025” located at 4221 Silk Hope Rd. Siler City NC on July 19, 2025. The actual display operator conducting the displays will Mr. Gary Nunn, Wetzel Pyrotechnics, who is an NC Licensed Pyrotechnics Display Operator.
Discussion & Analysis: Due to the dangerous nature and tragedy at Ocracoke, NC involving pyrotechnics, the State of North Carolina enacted strict requirements including the licensing of Pyrotechnic Display Operators. Mr. Kevin Wetzel, Wetzel Pyrotechnics, has provided the required documentation for review which includes a copy of his NC Pyrotechnic Display Operators License (Attachment #C), Certificate of Insurance (Attachment #D), and an ATF License/Permit (Attachment #E). Mr. Wetzel also submitted a drawing of the areas denoting the required distances from the spectators and structures (Attachment #F and #G). The sizes and types of pyrotechnics to be used were reviewed. Mr. Wetzel has met the applicable requirements of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1123 Fireworks and Explosives. Once notice is received that the County Board of Commissioners has approved the events, the pyrotechnics company representative will be contacted to advise them of the approval and request that they please stay abreast of the conditions at the display sites as the event draws near. If dry and/or windy conditions appear to pose an increased risk to life or property, a Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will request that the operator contact the firm and/or persons that they have contracted with and advise them of the same.
A Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will also contact the company and/or person and advise them of the same. In the event that conditions continue to exist that pose and elevated and/or increased risk to lives and property due to fire and it is determined that the event may need to be cancelled, the Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will contact the pyrotechnic company representative and the firm and/or person they have contracted with within a minimum of forty eight (48) hours prior to the event and advise them of the same. In accordance with the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code an inspection of the display area will be conducted by a Certified NC Fire Prevention Inspector of the Chatham County Fire Marshal's Office prior to the actual display. A piece of fire apparatus and personnel from the Silk Hope Department will be on-site before, during, and after the display. The Pyrotechnics display may be delayed and/or cancelled if weather and/or atmospheric conditions deem the activity to be unsafe. The Chatham County Fire Marshal will conduct a post-display inspection of the display areas.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: N/A
Budgetary Impact: N/A
Recommendation/Motion: Motion to approve pyrotechnics display for the Silk Hope Ruritan’s Club “Summer Spectacular 2025” located at 4221 Silk Hope Rd. Siler City NC on July 19, 2025.