Bratenahl appoints outside fire marshal for private wedding fireworks; police caution on large aerial shows

Council voted to appoint Fire Marshal Captain Robert S. Ingersol to inspect and oversee a private wedding fireworks display scheduled that weekend. The motion, offered by Councilmember Joyce Burke‑Jones and seconded by David Kozinski, passed by unanimous roll call of the four members present.

Fireworks contractor Rory Miller of Flashpoint Pyrotechnics told Council the show is not being launched from a barge and instead will be staged on the back side of the property near the water. “They are on the back side of this property by the water,” Miller said when asked whether the display would be on a barge.

Resident Pat Meade raised a separate concern that the village’s fireworks ordinance has not been updated to align with recent Ohio statutory changes. Chief Lobello said enforcement is typically proportional: small consumer items such as sparklers normally result in warnings from officers, while large aerial presentations are handled as permitted shows with inspections. “Unless it is a huge aerial show... most likely the officers are going to give a warning... if we come back a second or third time, a citation will be issued,” the chief said.

Mayor Benjamin and staff said the village is working toward having its own fire inspector in the future so private events could be routed through an in‑house official rather than an outside marshal. For this event, however, Captain Ingersol will serve as the inspector and contact for compliance.

What’s next: Event organizers will proceed with the inspection by the appointed fire marshal; Council intends to continue work on updating any village ordinances and the village’s staffing for fire inspections.