HB 253 Proponent Testimony — Bruce Blom, Ohio Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (OPAG)

Summary

Proponent testimony on HB 253 on behalf of the Ohio Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (OPAG) by Bruce Blom, who identifies as a past president of the Guild and Vice President - Communications for the Pyrotechnics Guild International. The testimony describes OPAG as an educational and fraternal association of Ohio licensed exhibitors and licensed assistants, founded in 1997, and states that OPAG supports wider sale and use of 1.4g fireworks by the public but is not in the business of selling 1.4g or 1.3g (display) fireworks. It states that the current moratorium has strangled the industry for 20+ years and that HB 253, if enacted, will put an end to that situation. It refers to a proposed Study Group.

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                   HB 253 – Proponent Testimony


                     On behalf of the Ohio Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (OPAG)


Chairman Manning, Vice-Chairman Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, and members of the committee, I
am Bruce Blom, co-founderfounder, and past president of the Ohio Pyrotechnic Arts Guild – OPAG. I am also
Vice President – Communications for the Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI). I have a PhD in chemistry and
have been actively involved with professional and amateur fireworks since the early 1980s. Thank you for the
opportunity to testify in support of House Bill 253.

OPAG, the group I represent in the matter of HB 253, is an educational and fraternal association of Ohio
licensed exhibitors and licensed assistants, founded in 1997. While we are supportive of wider sale and use of
1.4g fireworks by the public, we wish to emphasize that we are not in the business of selling 1.4g or 1.3g
(display) fireworks. We are consumers of these products in that we provide our expertise to licensed firms to
conduct displays on their behalf. We also purchase these products from Ohio-licensed sources for our use at
OPAG events.

This committee will hear much testimony, pro and con, focused on the sale to, and use by the public, of 1.4g
(consumer) fireworks. You’ll hear, from others, about injuries caused by misuse of fireworks. Only education
and greater familiarity with fireworks can combat potential injuries. And, you’ll hear that injuries have
declined as consumption of fireworks has increased.

You’ll hear about animals, usually dogs, being frightened by fireworks. As a long-time dog owner, I can tell you
that thunderstorms and gunfire often elicit the same response.

You’ll hear testimony about the effects of fireworks, and presumably other similar noises, on people suffering
with PTSD. On the other hand, and there is always another side, we’ve conducted large displays at a VA
hospital.

Finally, the current moratorium, that has strangled this industry for 20+ years, causing a major impediment to
free trade, competition, and product development, to the detriment of consumers and other interested
parties. HB 253, if enacted, will put an end to this egregious situation. OPAG remains optimistic that, if
passed, the proposed Study Group will have the opportunity to review and discuss other parts of the current
law that need attention.

Dr. Bruce E. Blom
340 West Goodale St.
Apt. 303
Columbus, Ohio 43215
opag@bright.net


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