HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.1 After-Action Report on 2026 Fireworks Activities Agenda Item 8.1
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
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DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT:
After-Action Report on 2026 Fireworks Activities
Prepared by: Jordan Foss, Senior Management Analyst
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive an After-Action Report on the City's fireworks activities on and
around July 4, 2026.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The net City cost for the 2026 Fourth of July activities related to fireworks, including the public
safety, maintenance, and City staffing costs, was $56,363, as shown in Table 1.
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Table 1. City Expenditures and Revenues
Expenditures 2025 Amount 2026 Amount
Dublin Police Services $36,619 $17,246*
Fire Services $17,312 $14,130
MCE Services $13,995 $21,454
Other Costs (street sweeper, garbage bins, lost rental
revenue) $5,220 $4,965
Staff Time (City Clerk, Community Engagement,
Community Development, Finance, Parks & Community
Services, and Public Works)
$2,544 $3,928
Total Expenditures $75,690 $61,723
Revenues
Application & Inspection Fees $4,935 $5,360
Forfeited Deposits $600 $0
Total Revenues $5,535 $5,360
Net City Cost $70,155 $56,363
* The reduced cost in 2026 was related to DPS staffing being allocated to the City-hosted event earlier
in the day.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
On January 13, 2026, the City Council received an informational report on Dublin's Safe and
Sane Fireworks program, including its history, current practices, financial impact, and
enforcement activities. The City permits the use of Safe and Sane Fireworks at four designated
parks within the city from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The four parks are
Alamo Creek Park, Dublin Sports Grounds, Emerald Glen Park, and Shannon Park. The sale
of fireworks is permitted with an approved permit from the City from noon on June 28 through
noon on July 5 annually. Each year, the City coordinates with Dublin Police Services (DPS)
and the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) to prepare for and respond to fireworks-
related activity. Maintenance staff (MCE) also support cleanup efforts at the four designated
parks during and following the holiday.
Staff conducted an after-action review of the City's preparation for and response to fireworks
activity. The following is a summary of that review.
Fourth of July Fireworks
Pre-Fourth of July Preparation
In advance of the Fourth of July holiday, Staff and partner agencies completed the following
activities:
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ACFD Administration staff reviewed and approved 16 fireworks booth permit
applications and inspected the fireworks booths to ensure compliance with Fire Code
requirements.
ACFD removed two “pop-up” vendors operating in areas adjacent to permitted booths
that were not permitted for fireworks sales.
Staff performed vegetation management activities in and arou nd the four designated
parks to reduce fire risk.
DPS confiscated approximately 100 pounds of illegal fireworks during undercover
operations in advance of the holiday, and three citations were issued. The confiscated
materials were later disposed of by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO)
Explosive Ordnance Detail.
Maintenance staff installed fireworks warning signs, barricades, “No Parking” signs, and
“No Fireworks Allowed” signs at non-designated parks, along with informational signs at
the four designated parks.
Maintenance staff installed nine safe-disposal dumpsters at the designated parks to
reduce fire risk associated with discarded fireworks materials, seen in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Dumpsters at City Parks
Park Dumpsters
Installed
Dublin Sports Grounds 3
Emerald Glen Park 4
Shannon Park 1
Alamo Creek Park 1
Total 9
July 4 Evening Summary
DPS personnel, with support from ACSO, were tasked with providing security at the four
designated parks from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There were no reports of fireworks-related
injuries or property damage at the four parks, aside from anticipated fires inside the designated
fireworks disposal dumpsters. After 10:00 p.m., assigned personnel ensured all fireworks
ignition activity ceased and cleared visitors from the parks. DPS units then shifted to citywide
response to fireworks-related calls for service.
During the evening, suppression detail and patrol units responded to 29 fireworks-related calls
for service citywide, a decrease from the 51 calls for service received during the same period
in 2025. Three structure fires were reported after 10:30 p.m., two of them caused by
improperly discarded fireworks:
A garage fire fully engulfed a residential garage and spread to the adjacent hillside as a
grass fire. ACFD responded and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire was
undetermined.
At another residence, a wooden fence and garbage can caught fire. ACFD responded
and extinguished the flames. The cause was determined to be the improper disposal of
Safe and Sane Fireworks.
At a third residence, units responded to a smoldering garbage pile in the side yard,
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caused by firework material which had been dumped in a garbage can. The flames had
already been extinguished by the residents, but there was some damage caused to a
neighboring home. The cause was determined to be the improper disposal of Safe and
Sane Fireworks.
DPS Suppression Detail
Staffing for the fireworks suppression detail consisted of one Lieutenant, three Sergeants, and
eight Deputies. During the evening suppression detail, DPS personnel and patrol units
confiscated approximately 100 pounds of illegal fireworks, which were collected and disposed
of by the ACSO Explosive Ordinance Detail.
This event took place during a holiday weekend, and personnel assigned to the detail received
the applicable overtime rate. In total, the fireworks suppression detail overtime cost was
$9,107, which represents an approximately 43 percent decrease from 2025. The driving factor
in the reduction in DPS costs was the allocation of staffing resources to the City’s Red, White,
and Blue Backyard Bash at the Dublin Sports Grounds earlier in the day.
Post-Event Cleanup
From July 4 through July 7, 2026, maintenance staff unlocked dumpste rs and responded to
maintenance needs, including debris cleanup. A summary of Staff hours and debris collected
by activity and location is provided in Table 3.
Table 3. Maintenance Cleanup Statistics
Activity / Location Maintenance Staff
Hours
Debris Collected
(cubic yards)
Sign Installs and Prep Work 117 n/a
Alamo Creek Park 10 8
Emerald Glen Park 13 26
Shannon Park 11.50 8
Dublin Sports Grounds 16 21
Total 167.50 63
Lessons Learned/Recommendations
Based on the effects of the 2026 fireworks season, Staff has identified lessons learned and
recommendations that can be used to strengthen the City's response in future years.
Structure fire prevention and public education:
o At least two of the three structure fires reported this year resulted from improperly
disposed of fireworks. Staff will consider expanding public education on safe
disposal methods (e.g., soaking spent fireworks in water before discarding)
through the City's social media, public outreach, and website in the weeks
leading up to the Fourth of July.
Dumpster capacity:
o Debris volumes varied notably by park (e.g., Emerald Glen Park yielded 26 cubic
yards of debris, compared to 8 cubic yards at Alamo Creek Park). Staff will
evaluate whether dumpster capacity and placement at each park should be
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adjusted to better match anticipated debris volumes.
Technology-assisted enforcement:
o Staff will consider leveraging technology, specifically the use of drones, to gather
video and photographic evidence of illegal fireworks activity to support
enforcement of the Dublin Municipal Code.
Continued undercover enforcement operations:
o DPS undercover operations resulted in the confiscation of approximately 100
pounds of illegal fireworks. Staff will consider expanding the use of unmarked
vehicles and additional personnel to support more illegal fireworks confiscations.
Suppression detail staffing levels:
o For this year’s event, assigned suppression detail personnel were reduced from
21 in 2025 to 12 in 2026. DPS has advised that six additional law enforcement
personnel would be needed to maintain a dedicated, continuous law enforcement
presence at the designated parks for the full duration of the event.
Pop-up vendor enforcement:
o The removal of two unauthorized “pop-up” vendors adjacent to permitted booths
suggests a continued need for proactive enforcement in this area. ACFD and City
staff will evaluate whether additional site visits or signage could deter this activity.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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After-Action Report on
2026 Fireworks Activities
August 18, 2026
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Background
•January 13, 2026: City Council received informational report on Safe and Sane Fireworks program.
•Sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks permitted June 28 –July 5 annually.
•Permitted at four designated parks, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on July 4.
•City coordinates annually with Dublin Police Services (DPS) and Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD); MCE supports park cleanup.
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Pre-July 4 Preparation
•ACFD approved 16 booth permits;
inspected for Fire Code compliance.
•ACFD removed two unpermitted “pop-up”
vendors.
•Vegetation management completed at all
four designated parks.
•DPS confiscated ~100 lbs illegal fireworks;
three citations issued.
•Installed warning signs, barricades, and
nine safe-disposal dumpsters.
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July 4 Evening Summary
•DPS provided security at designated
parks.
•No injuries or property damage reported
at parks.
•Parks cleared and units shifted to
citywide response after 10 p.m.
•Citywide calls for service: 29 (down
from 51 in 2025).
•Three structure fires after 10:30 p.m.
•2 linked to improper disposal.
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DPS Suppression Detail
•Staffing: one Lieutenant, three Sergeants, eight Deputies (12 total) —
down from 21 in 2025.
•~100 lbs illegal fireworks confiscated; disposed by ACSO.
•Overtime cost: $17,246
•Savings driven by staff reallocation to Backyard Bash event.
12
Personnel assigned
$17,246
Suppression OT cost
−53%
OT cost vs. 2025
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Post-Event Cleanup
Activity / Location Maintenance Staff Hours
Sign Installs and Prep Work 117
Alamo Creek Park 10
Emerald Glen Park 13
Shannon Park 11.50
Dublin Sports Grounds 16
Total 167.50
Debris Collected by Park (cubic yards)
Alamo Creek Park 8
Emerald Glen Park 26
Shannon Park 8
Dublin Sports Grounds 21
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Financial Impact
Expenditures / Revenues 2025 2026
Dublin Police Services (DPS)$36,619 $17,246*
Fire Services (ACFD)$17,312 $14,130
MCE Services $13,995 $21,454
Other Costs $5,220 $4,965
Staff Time $2,544 $3,928
Total Expenditures $75,690 $61,723
Total Revenues $5,535 $5,360
Net City Cost $70,155 $56,363
*The reduced 2026 DPS cost reflects staffing allocated to the City-hosted event earlier in the day.
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Lessons Learned
1.Structure fire prevention: expand public education on safe disposal methods.
2.Dumpster capacity: match capacity/placement at each park to debris volumes.
3.Technology-assisted enforcement: consider drones to gather evidence of illegal
activity.
4.Continued undercover enforcement: expand unmarked vehicles and personnel
for confiscations.
5.Suppression detail staffing: 6 additional personnel needed for full event
coverage.
6.Pop-up vendor enforcement: evaluate additional site visits or signage to deter
vendors.
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Staff Recommendation
•Receive the Report.
•Questions?
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