Safety bill pending for pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics may no longer be seen by local residents in Bloomington's premier clubs because of new legislation that places rules and regulations on indoor pyrotechnic use throughout Indiana.\nState Sen. Vi Simpson D-Ellettsville introduced legislation that would establish rules to help ensure the safe use of indoor pyrotechnics and fireworks. Simpson said her legislation, Senate Bill 386, was prompted by a nightclub fire caused by a pyrotechnic show in Rhode Island in February 2003 that claimed the lives of nearly 100 people. \nSimpson said in a statement the legislation is needed because currently no rules exist.\n"This fire drew nationwide attention to the dangers of indoor pyrotechnics and the lack of regulation existing to prevent such tragedies," Simpson said. "As Indiana and many other states quickly discovered, there were no state provisions in law to regulate the use of indoor pyrotechnics."\nThe bill requires the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to adopt rules and issue permits for supervised displays of fireworks and also. The bill requires at least $500,000 of personal injury and $500,000 of property damage insurance coverage for a supervised display of indoor pyrotechnics under certain circumstances. \nSimpson said in a statement if club owners do violate the legislation severe penalties will be given. If a venue commits a violation, it will result in a Class C infraction. If the violation results in injury, it will be a Class D infraction. A reckless violation of the rules resulting in death is a Class C felony.\nRandy Brown, general manager of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, said the legislation will not really affect the Coliseum.\n"The new legislation will not make a big difference," Brown. "We require a liability insurance of $1 million dollars, whereas the legislation only needs $500,000."\nBrown said the pyrotechnics are used for sporting events and music venues, including the local football team.\n"Our indoor football team uses pyrotechnics, it's small and not as big as a KISS concert, but we do use flash pots."\nBrown said the legislation will help to regulate the smaller venues that use fireworks and set guidelines.\n"I think the legislation is more beneficial and gives value to a greater degree for safety purposes," Brown said. "This hopefully will stop amateurs from trying to shoot off firearms without experience and not endanger the lives of innocent people as well."\nState Sen. Thomas Wyss R-Fort Wayne, a co-author of the legislation, is very pleased to now have something in place in Indiana.\n"Presently, there is no regulation," Wyss said. "I am trying to ensure that what happened in Rhode Island does not happen here in Indiana.\n"We've been working all summer on this bill; Vi came to me and asked me to help her and other senators around the area," Wyss said.\n"I am thrilled to death about this bill, we can't guarantee that a situation like Rhode Island wouldn't happen here, but I am certain that this is a big step to making sure that this does not happen here," Wyss said. "I just applaud Vi Simpson's efforts. It seems that every time a major disaster occurs, unfortunately it spurs code changes and requirements that will help to ensure it never happens again"