For the crowds watching Wrangell’s Fourth of July fireworks, the show is a celebration. For the fire crew lighting the fuses, it has become a source of anxiety.

Fire Chief Jordan Buness approached the borough assembly on Dec. 16 with a plan to modernize the department’s “archaic” firing system before someone gets hurt. The unanimously approved solution is the authorization to purchase a COBRA firing system at a cost of $18,364.

According to Buness, the current setup is a relic, homemade locally in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It relies on a web of physical cables running from a central control box directly to the fireworks racks. This design forces the operator to stand dangerously close to the explosives during the show.

Buness revealed that a close call during last year’s display served as a wake-up call for the department.

“A lot of this kind of comes down to safety,” he said. “We did have some excitement this last year which kind of prompted a little more push to get this project across the finish line.”

He isn’t the only one worried about the aging equipment. Mayor Patty Gilbert admitted that the holiday celebration is often accompanied by fear for the crew.

“For safety, I always dread every Fourth of July fireworks show, hoping that no one gets hurt,” she said.

The solution Buness proposed is a modern, wireless system that fully meets National Fire Protection Association standards. The biggest advantage to the new system is distance. Instead of hovering over the racks, the operator could trigger the display from up to 1,000 feet away, well outside the blast zone.

“The operator could be sitting in the crowd with their family and initiating the show remotely,” he told the assembly.

Beyond safety, Buness said the new gear would allow for a better show. The modular, wireless design eliminates tripping hazards and makes it easier to launch fireworks set up at difficult locations.

It would also cut down on setup time, making the holiday safer and more efficient for the volunteer crew.