Citizens Against Noise Pollution slam FireOne CEO

THE GROUP CITIZENS Against Noise Pollution of Trinidad and Tobago (CANPTT) has strongly condemned recent remarks by FireOne Fireworks CEO Andre Abraham, labelling his comments “tone deaf” and “condescending.”

The NGO scorned Abraham’s comments advocating for “tolerance,” and his defence of the fireworks industry, which the group said trivialises the legitimate concerns of affected citizens.

“Tolerance is a two-way street, and it is clear that FireOne has little interest in tolerating the valid frustrations of the public, pet owners, and caregivers to the elderly and vulnerable,” wrote Tamara Chatar, the group’s public relations officer, in a statement.

“Communities are not united by distress, sleepless nights, frightened pets, and traumatised individuals.”

The group’s criticism follows Abraham’s comments in a Newsday article published on December 23, in which he said “tolerance and respect” were needed between fireworks enthusiasts and those concerned about their effects on pets and the elderly.

In the article, Abraham said, “As Prime Minister Eric Williams said: discipline, production and tolerance are key in our society, but the key word here is tolerance.”

Abraham told Newsday FireOne sells “pet-friendly” and silent fireworks, but added that fully silent displays are not viable.

“We don’t sell over-powered loud items that don’t meet international safety levels, and we do have silent items for sale.

"However, you can’t stop the consumer from buying what they want.

“If we do a 100 per cent silent fireworks show, no one is going to stand up for 20 minutes to watch it, or drones – they would get bored,” he said.

CANPTT took issue with these remarks, describing the claim that silent fireworks would be boring as “an affront to the intelligence of citizens who are advocating for a balance between celebration and respect for others’ well-being.”

It criticised FireOne for shifting responsibility to consumers while profiting from products it said cause significant harm.

Chatar’s comments also addressed the economic implications of the fireworks industry, calling the mass importation of fireworks a “waste of foreign exchange” in a struggling economy. “Fireworks do not feed families, improve health care, or build infrastructure,” the statement said, adding that the public deserves better than to see scarce foreign exchange (forex) spent on items that cause more harm than good.

Abraham’s defence of the industry extended to its operational practices. He explained in the article that FireOne deliberately limits its business to specific periods such as Divali and New Year’s Eve to minimise disruption.

“We try to get people to use the products on specific days and times, even though we don’t have legislation for that,” Abraham said. “By taking up a leadership role, we’ve managed to work with our customers.”

While acknowledging these efforts, CANPTT insisted self-regulation is insufficient in the absence of legislation.

The group also criticised the AG’s office for failing to implement updated fireworks laws.

“Despite years of petitions, public outcry, and evidence of harm, no modern laws have been implemented to address the sale, use, and regulation of fireworks,” Chatar wrote.

The NGO has called for comprehensive legislation, including strict controls on noise levels, sale locations and designated times for use. It also advocated for the mandatory use of silent fireworks and engagement with stakeholders to craft balanced policies.

In the Newsday article, Abraham acknowledged the outdated legal framework governing the industry, noting, “We run the fireworks industry on laws that are over 100 years old.”

He said FireOne subscribes to international standards for safety, including those in the US and UK.

However, CANPTT’s statement challenged this narrative, arguing that neither industry-led initiatives nor reliance on foreign standards adequately addresses the harm caused locally.

“It is time for FireOne to stop insulting the public’s intelligence and take meaningful steps toward responsible practices,” said Chatar. “Likewise, the AG must act immediately to bring about the legislative reforms that are long overdue.”

On December 20, the Fireworks Action Coalition of TT, a group of concerned organisations, wrote to the Prime Minister, urging the government to address the harmful effects of unregulated fireworks. The group criticised the lack of legislation for responsible firework use and cited the PM’s October 2023 statement on prioritising public safety over lawlessness.

The group highlighted concerns about fireworks being used as weapons in gang violence, as seen in recent social media posts, and described fireworks as a threat to citizens' peace and safety.

FACTT also noted its December 4 letter to the AG seeking updates on government actions, which remains unanswered. The coalition called on the PM to direct the AG and Cabinet to take swift and compassionate measures to regulate fireworks.