Firework Safety Tips

5 Firework Safety Tips and Resources:

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

Please Remember: Fireworks & Pets Do Not Mix!

Nothing beats lounging with our two and four-legged friends and family over the Fourth of July. And while it may seem like a great idea to bring Fluffy or Fido along to watch fireworks, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) wants pet owners to realize festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets.

“Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. The loud noise may result in behavior inconsistent with your pet’s normal activity.”

Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

The loud noise of fireworks may also startle pets enough that they escape and run away from their owners. LMAS asks that pet owners take proactive measures to keep their pets contained and also to put proper identification on their pets just in case they do get loose. These measures should include making sure that their pet is licensed with Metro Animal Services, the license tag is affixed to the pet’s collar and ensuring microchip and rabies information is up to date.

It’s important to keep everyone safe and healthy during this fun and celebratory time of year!

Louisville Tree Plan's Community Workshop July 3rd

The next "Mulch Monday" is July 8th

LIHEAP Summer Cooling Begins July 16

If you could use a little help with your cooling bills, we have good news for you: the LIHEAP Summer Cooling component has been approved for 2024! Details are still being finalized but LIHEAP Summer Cooling is set to begin July 16 and provide relief for people through September 13. Stay tuned to this newsletter, Metro RCS social media, or the LIHEAP website for further information in the coming weeks.

The next Metro Pop-Up Drop-Off is July 20th at Fern Creek High School

"Get the Scoop" Event July 23rd at the Plainview Village Kroger

LMPD 6th & 7th Division's National Night Out August 6th

LMPD 8th Division National Night Out August 6th

Information/Tips from the LMPD 8th Division

In the area the 8th Division patrols, in the last month:

• 61% of theft from vehicles involved unlocked vehicles.
• 88% of theft from vehicles in neighborhoods involved unlocked vehicles.

Most of the theft from vehicle incidents were from unlocked vehicles.  Reduce your chances of being a victim by locking your vehicles. Do not leave bags or valuable items visible to thieves who may be looking into your vehicle in search of something to steal.

We need your help to prevent these types of crimes. Your cooperation is vital in making our community a safer place for everyone. Together, we can reduce the incidence of vehicle thefts and protect our neighborhood from criminal activity.

Crisis Call Diversion Program to operate 24/7 effective July 1st and will operate 24 hours a day

It was announced that the city’s successful Crisis Call Diversion Program (CCDP), also known as “Deflection,” will expand its service hours to 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all eight LMPD divisions beginning Monday, July 1, 2024. The program sends certain 911 calls to a non-police response and currently operates from 10 a.m. -2 a.m., seven days a week.

Since its launch in March of 2022, the CCDP has deflected about 4,000 calls. Just this year, the MetroSafe 911 Center has deflected more than 1,500 calls to a non-police response and the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) made more than 500 mobile runs to help individuals in need. These Deflection efforts continue to provide LMPD officers, as well as MetroSafe 911 Call-takers, with more hours of time that might have been spent on the calls, further allowing officers to focus on violent crime.

“The Deflection model has helped our officers focus more on crime-related incidents and better allocate our resources, which in turn, assists our residents and visitors. Sometimes a call simply does not warrant a police response” said LMPD Deputy Chief Steven Healey.

As of July 1, Seven Counties Services will have 46 staff members dedicated to Deflection response, including 13 CTWs at MetroSafe and 27 Mobile Crisis Responders responding in the field.

Here’s how the program works:

• When a person calls 911, MetroSafe calltakers initially triage the call by asking questions such as “are you experiencing a mental health crisis” and questions regarding safety, such as weapons in their possession or if they’ve taken active steps to harm themselves or others, requiring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) intervention.
  • Calls from 1^st and 2^nd parties are eligible for a possible CTW response. Calls from a third party, a person who is not physically with the individual experiencing a mental health crisis or calls where there are weapons involved, are not eligible for a possible CTW response.
• If deemed appropriate, the call is transferred to a CTW in a Behavioral Health Hub within MetroSafe.
• The CTW team functions somewhat like crisis hotline staff to de-escalate, provide emotional support, create a safety plan and problem solve with the person in crisis.
• If it’s determined that a face-to-face response would be beneficial, CTWs initiate a mobile response.
• Mobile responders, trained in mental health crisis intervention, meet the person where they are to further de-escalate and assess the situation and, if appropriate, connect the individual to services. Responders have the option of transporting the person to a treatment facility or to any other community resource including shelter.

If the call does not meet the initial criteria for an alternative response and LMPD arrives on scene, they can self-initiate a mental health response through Deflection once they determine the scene is safe and secure. 

Employment Opportunities

Metro Parks & Recreation is Hiring

Employment with Louisville Parks and Recreation is a great opportunity to connect with nature and the community! We have employment opportunities throughout each division (aquatics, recreation, golf, community engagement, Jefferson Memorial forest) for both full-time and part-time positions. 

Visit bestparksever.com for more information on employment opportunities! 

Job Opportunities

MSD is Hiring

Operator in Training (OIT) 24-116 Auto-Heavy Equipment Technician I (2nd shift) Maintenance Planner 24-119   Engineer I/ II/III or Sr. Engineer (Wastewater Treatment) (2 positions) 24-120    Sanitary Supervisor For position descriptions, pay information, and to apply please visit our website: http://www.louisvillemsd.org/Careers