We did that this year, but we missed something. The Hastings Rural Volunteer Fire Department, members of which were standing by in case of emergencies, used water to put out the fire. Hastings' volunteer ambulance crews also were on hand. Firefighters stopped the show for about five minutes while they made sure the fire stayed out. Before the fireworks display, Ossowski said the fire department would be taking several safety precautions.
Safety is top priority.
Officers patrolled the line to make sure no one from the public crossed it while the fireworks were going. The gear proved to be hot, given the 90-plus degree temperatures. He had thermoses of water and encouraged the firefighters to use them often. Four people take care of each place from which the shell is shot, he said. A minimum of 16 people are on the line at all times, he said.