Fire chief shoots safety expert in foot with fireworks

[n2doc]

By Jonathan Bullington
Tribune reporter
1:25 p.m. CDT, July 3, 2012

A fire chief’s demonstration of the dangers of fireworks became a teachable moment this morning when a canister tipped over and shot fireworks into a crowd, injuring a director of a fire safety group.

Laura Barros, assistant executive director of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, suffered a small burn on her left foot. Before heading off to the hospital, Barros said the episode illustrated how dangerous fireworks can be no matter who handles them.

The incident happened during a press conference at alliance headquarters in Mount Prospect.

At the tail end of the conference, Hillside Fire Chief Michael Kuryla demonstrated the power of legally purchased novelty fireworks by lighting a sparkler and then igniting two fireworks canisters placed on a wooden pallet in the parking lot.
more
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/mt_prospect/chi-fire-chief-fireworks-20120703,0,2116678.story

[yellowcanine]

1. "teachable moment" my foot. That is just an embarrassing dumbass situation.

Next time the fire chief ought to let someone trained in fireworks do the demonstration. The title "Fire Chief" doesn't guarantee expertise in everything having "fire" in the name.

[cindyperry2010]

2. i know that is not funny

but boy oh boy

[Arctic Dave]

3. Fire Marshall Bill?