911 calls down over 4th of July weekend

Firework-related injuries lower than prior years - 13 On Your Side’s Arlette Yousif reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA/KECY) - A four-day weekend celebrating our nation’s independence included 911 calls related to fireworks in the Yuma area, though not as many as expected.

Incidents reported over the July 4th weekend include noise disturbances, possible shots fired, and injuries.

The Yuma Police Department (YPD) says that even though there were calls for service this holiday weekend, it was not as bad as years prior.

“In 2020, we had 169 calls for service between July 1 and the morning of July 5. In 2021, we had 168, so we were down one. This year we had 121, so we’re significantly down from the past two years,” says Yuma Police Department Sgt. Lori Franklin.

So how did we do each day?

“Saturday, we had the highest number of calls. Sunday was a little bit less than that. But Friday and Monday night actually had [fewer] calls for service,” explains Sgt. Franklin.

Rural Metro Fire says it assisted in one service call related to fireworks on Sunday and four calls related to fireworks while working with Winterhaven first responders Monday night.

Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) reports it had three patients over the weekend with injuries related to fireworks.

"Usually in the past, we've seen burns, very big lacerations, injuries to the eyes. Unfortunately, sometimes we see amputations of the fingers," says Yuma Regional Medical Center Dr. Salil Chitnis.

Overall, local first responders say they are pleased that our community celebrated Independence Day with more caution this year, and that service calls related to fireworks were down compared to years prior.