Fireworks fascination (7/3/04)

REDKEY — When the town’s fireworks display goes off tonight, an attorney will be watching closely.

Not the fireworks themselves, but those in charge of lighting the fuses.

There are few towns across America that will have an attorney supervising the fireworks crew. But few attorneys have the experience and fascination with fireworks as John Brooke.

Brooke, who began serving as counsel for the Redkey Town Council in January, says he’s always been interested in fireworks. He developed that interest into a Muncie-based legal practice that includes representation of fireworks companies all over the world.

And tonight, he’s brining his knowledge and experience as a “shooter” to town, where he will watch over members of the Redkey Fire Department as they light the fuses that will light up the night.

“I’ve shot (fireworks) in different parts of the country just because I enjoy it,” says Brooke. (Redkey Fire Chief) Randy (Young) was telling (fireworks supplier Knight Magic, a client of Brooke’s) they didn’t have many people that knew about shooting off fireworks ... I said I can be there to help them shoot. Between the set-up and the tear-down there’s a whole day of prep for about 15 or 20 minutes. A good fireworks show is one where they don’t think anything happened.”

During a trip to town Thursday afternoon, Brooke inspected the tubes that the shells will be dropped into and the racks that hold the tubes along with Young and Bruce Grady, a member of the volunteer department who has the most experience lighting fireworks.

Brooke found at least one hard-rolled cardboard tube that had to be discarded because of wear. He, Young and Grady also discussed procedures and plans for tonight’s big show.

Young, who is in his first year as fire chief, said Thursday that he will appreciate having Brooke’s assistance tonight.

Brooke, who will be on the ballot in November as a Democratic candidate for Delaware County Commissioner, says that safety is the No. 1 priority when it comes to large fireworks displays.

“I’ve always been taught it’s not a matter of if something is going to happen, it’s when it’s going to happen,” Brooke said in an interview this week. He said with proper preparation and precautions, fireworks are not dangerous.

Brooke says that partially burying the tubes is vital for safety.

That way, he says, if a shell goes off at the bottom of the tube, much of the force will be absorbed by the ground and the likelihood of the tube being shredded into shrapnel is lessened.

“The other thing you’ve got to be careful of is making sure you get the right shell in the right tube. If you put a three-inch shell in a four-inch tube, you’re not going to get any lift,” says Brooke, who plans to be in Redkey by mid-afternoon today to begin the hours-long process of preparing for a few minutes of pyrotechnic fun.

Other concerns? Static electricity that can set off fuses — especially at shows controlled by computers (Redkey’s is not). That means that lightning in the area and the use of cell phones nearby are big problems.

Brooke, whose career as a fireworks industry attorney began with a chance meeting with a company owner in Muncie 17 years ago today, has developed clients in 44 states and six Asian countries (China, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Japan).

After handling a few bad check cases for that Muncie firm (North Central Industries), Brooke was introduced to other fireworks executives. When Brooke learned that those executives were frustrated by a lack of knowledge about fireworks on the part of attorneys, “I spent the next several years learning the business inside and out. It’s been fascinating. It’s taken me all over the world,” says Brooke.

Although his main focus tonight will be supervising the shooters, he says he loves to watch fireworks. He admits, though, that he watches with a more critical eye than most.

“Truly I enjoy the watching part. I’m fascinated by some of the things they can do with the fireworks ... and designs. I’ve argued this in federal court: A pyrotechnician is like an artist in the sky,” says Brooke.

“People like good colors. They like fireworks to have good spread, nice colors and big noise. Gotta have big noise. I look for more of the coordination and how tight the show is,” he adds.[[In-content Ad]]