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Fireworks

Although fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the holiday season, they can be dangerous when used improperly. It is estimated that 8,300 people are treated in United States hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks each year. Approximately 50 percent of the injuries are burns, and most of the injuries involve the hands, eyes, or head. Nearly half of the victims are under 15 years of age.

Fireworks Image stating Fireworks injure more than 10,000 people annually in the U.S. and Canada

The Williamson County Fire Marshal’s office encourages our residents to prevent a needless tragedy! Leave Fireworks to the professionals.

Recommended Safety Tips

  • Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
  • Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
  • A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities. NEVER give fireworks to children.
  • Be sure other people and pets are out of range.
  • Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
  • Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
  • Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
  • NEVER try to relight or handle malfunctioning “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • ALWAYS have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby for emergencies and for pouring on misfired or spent fireworks.
  • NEVER carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
  • DO NOT experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.

Firework image state Leave fireworks to the professionals

Permit Applications and Links

  • Fireworks Stand – Permit Application (Link to wilcopermits.com)
  • Fireworks Stand Renewal Application  (Link to wilcopermits.com)
    • Application for permit will be on an electronic form prescribed by the Williamson County Fire Marshal.
    • A copy of the Fireworks Retail Permit must be electronically submitted along with the Fireworks Stand documents to the Williamson County Fire Marshal's Office.
    • Provide details regarding distance to nearest buildings, stand length (ft), stand width (ft) and stand/building square footage.
  • Fireworks Display – Permit Application   (Link to wilcopermits.com)
    • Application for permit will be on an electronic form prescribed by the Williamson County Fire Marshal.
    • Detailed list of Fireworks to be used (i.e. 1.3g, 1.4g, Pyrotechnics or Flame effects)
    • Attach map showing area, in which fireworks will be detonated, all buildings within six hundred (600) feet of such area, area to be used by spectators, and place of storage of fireworks before and during the display.
    • Attach a copy of surety bond, or certificate of insurance.
    • All company/licensee’s business information on separate form (letterhead or business cards or attached paper to application)
    • Attach a photocopy of pyrotechnic operator’s license.
  • State Fire Marshals Notice [PDF]

Additional Information

Image of a dog hiding under a bed stating Fireworks are not fun for everyone

 
Mass Gathering Permits

A Mass Gathering is defined under Chapter 751 of the Texas Health and Safety Code as an event that can be defined by the following three (3) conditions:

(1) “Mass gathering” means a gathering that is held outside the limits of a municipality.

(2) “Mass gathering” means a gathering that attracts or is expected to attract; more than 2,500 persons; or more than 500 persons, if 51 percent or more of those persons may reasonably be expected to be younger than 21 years of age and it is planned or may reasonably be expected that alcoholic beverages will be sold, served, or consumed at or around the gathering; and

(3) at which the persons will remain for more than five continuous hours; or for any amount of time during the period beginning at 10 p.m. and ending at 4 a.m.

 
Mass Gathering Procedures

Permit Requirement

A person may not promote a mass gathering without a permit prescribed by the Williamson County Fire Marshal’s office:

Application Procedure

  • Application for permit will be on an electronic form prescribed by the Williamson County Fire Marshal.
  •  Mass Gathering – Permit Application [PDF] (must be submitted on the electronic permit application)
  • Application must be submitted at least 45 days before the date on which a mass gathering will be held.
  • The Williamson County Fire Marshal’s Office will coordinate communication to the County Judge regarding the application submittal and facilitate meeting with all stakeholders, county entities and respective commissioner to investigate the conditions of the application.

Hearing Procedure

  • Not later than the 10th day before the date on which a mass gathering will begin, the county judge shall hold a hearing on the application. The county judge shall set the date and time of the hearing.
  •  Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the promoter and to each person who has an interest in whether the permit is granted or denied.

Findings and Decision Procedure

  • After the completion of the hearing the county judge shall enter his findings in the record and shall either grant or deny the permit.
  •  The county judge may deny the permit if he finds that the application contains false or misleading information or omits required information.
  • The promoter’s financial backing is insufficient to ensure that the mass gathering will be conducted in the manner stated in the application.
  • The location selected for the mass gathering is inadequate for the purpose.
  • The promoter has made adequate preparations to limit the number of persons attending.
  • The promoter does not have assurance that the scheduled performers will appear.
  • The preparations for the mass gathering do not ensure that minimum standards of sanitation and health will be maintained
  • The preparations for the mass gathering do not ensure that the mass gathering will be conducted in an orderly manner and that the physical safety of persons attending will be protected.
  • The preparations for the mass gathering do not ensure that the mass gathering will be conducted in an orderly manner and that the physical safety of persons attending will be protected.
  • Adequate arrangements for traffic control have not been provided.
  • Adequate medical and nursing care will not be available.

Permit Revocation

  • The county judge may revoke a permit issued under this chapter if the county judge finds that preparations for the mass gathering will not be completed by the time the mass gathering will begin or that the permit was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.
  •  The county judge must give notice to the promote that the permit will be revoked at least 24 hours before the revocation.

Inspections

  • The county health authority may inspect a mas gathering during the mass gathering to ensure that the minimum standards for health and sanitation prescribed by state and local laws, rules, and orders are being maintained.
  •  The county fire marshal or the person designated under Section 751.005 (c) may inspect a mass gathering during the mass gathering to ensure that the minimum standards for ensuring public fire safety and order as prescribed by state and local laws, rules, and orders are being maintained.
  • The sheriff may inspect a mass gathering during the mass gathering to ensure that the minimum standards for ensuring public safety and order prescribed by state and local laws, rules, and order are being maintained.