Written Opponent Testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 113 - Nichole Coleman (June 23, 2021)

Summary

Written opponent testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 113 to the House Commerce and Labor Committee from Nichole Coleman, a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, dated June 23, 2021. The testimony says fireworks and the unexpected noises and flashes that come with them are a concern for many veterans who have returned from military service with post-traumatic stress. It states that Nichole Coleman served in the United States Air Force for seven years and was president of the Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers. It cites the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for rates of post-traumatic stress of 12% of Persian Gulf veterans, 15% of Vietnam veterans and as high as 20% among post-9/11 veterans.

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                                        Nichole Coleman
                                     Veteran, U.S. Air Force
                                   Written Opponent Testimony
                                    Substitute Senate Bill 113
                                          June 23, 2021

Chairman Stein, Vice Chair Johnson, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, and Members of the
House Commerce and Labor Committee, thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony
regarding Substitute SB 113. The issue of fireworks and the unexpected noises and flashes that
come with them are of real concern to me, personally, and many other veterans — particularly,
combat veterans — who have returned from military service with post-traumatic stress. For
many of us, the question of whether to legalize these more powerful fireworks is a matter of
quality of life.

At a time when so much of daily life is on hold or turned on its head, I question the necessity for
the legislature to push forward with Substitute SB 113 after so many experts — doctors,
veterans, pet owners, insurance professionals, emergency responders, and many more — have
testified about the dangers of 1.4g fireworks. In my profession and those of many of my
colleagues who have testified, we are working hard every day to keep people safe and healthy
while the pandemic ravages communities. It is dismaying that this legislation should move
forward at a time when it is still difficult to return to the Ohio Senate to speak to your committee.

I served in the United States Air Force for seven years and, more recently, was president of the
Ohio State Association of County Veterans Service Officers, which represents veterans in all 88
counties. I’m currently doing similar work at the national level. Much of my life after my
military service has been dedicated to the betterment of the lives of Ohio’s veterans in Hancock
County, across the state, and now across the country.

Like many of the veterans I serve, I’ve had to deal with post-traumatic stress after my military
service. I’ve been fortunate to have the comfort and presence of Tyson, my first service dog, and
now Stevie Rae, who’s training to be my second service dog. You may be surprised to know that
rates of post-traumatic stress range from 12% of Persian Gulf veterans to 15% of Vietnam
veterans to as high as 20% among post-9/11 veterans, according to the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. That equates to about 100,000 veterans in Ohio living every day with
post-traumatic stress.

A recent Virginia Tech study noted: “Fireworks on nights other than the Fourth of July or New
Year’s Eve might be nothing more than inconsiderate neighbors, but for veterans with PTSD, the
shock of noise and light may trigger a deeply-learned expectation of danger.” For them,
“unexpected surprising events — noise or otherwise — could be a matter of life or death.”1

With the veteran suicide rate as high as it is, why would we want to allow this unnecessary law
change? In my daily interaction with combat veterans, it breaks my heart to watch them beat
themselves up with the inner dialogue when they have panic attacks. That is exactly what
fireworks at unexpected times can cause for veterans.

I am not alone in my concern about this legislation. The AMVETS Department of Ohio, which
has 32,000 members in the state, previously testified against legalizing consumer-grade
fireworks. And the American Legion national executive committee passed Resolution No. 33 in
2006 which reads in part: “Departments and Posts [should] encourage children and their families
to enjoy fireworks at public fireworks displays conducted by professionals, rather than purchase
fireworks for home or private use.”

Veterans love this country and enjoy celebrating it as much as anyone, but as with all revelry,
there is a point when it becomes unnecessarily reckless. The type of fireworks SB 113 would
legalize are an unpredictable and unwelcome factor — they would be one more thing we have to
contend with as we try to live a normal life after our military service. And while I can plan to be
home or somewhere else when I know the city puts on a fireworks show, I can’t anticipate
neighbors setting them off. I rely on my service dog as a constant comfort by my side, and if my
dog is startled or on edge because of fireworks, or God forbid if she runs off, that is unhealthy
for me, too.

Chairman Stein, Vice Chair Johnson, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, and Members of the
House Commerce and Labor Committee, thank you for receiving my testimony. I’ve dedicated
my life after military service to helping veterans. Whether to legalize discharge of 1.4g
fireworks may seem like a simple question, but I fear it could be deeply impactful to many
Ohioans who are just trying to live normal, productive lives. Thank you.




1
 “Scientists find heightened attention to surprise in veterans with PTSD,” Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute,
https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2018/01/vtc-ptsdlearning.html


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