Michelle Jennings and Michéle Laboda, Public Information Officers for the Poulsbo Fire Department and North Kitsap Fire & Rescue respectively, must be shaking their heads.

Despite one of the driest weeks leading up to the Fourth of July in recent years and tinder box conditions that prompted county fire officials to ban all outdoor burning, many residents and visitors still acted like a bunch of kids who just found a hidden box of fireworks in their parents’ closet.

Safe and sane, once again, went flying right out the window along with common sense last weekend. As a result, lives were threatened. People were injured. And NKF&R and PFD crews had one of their busiest stints in a long, long time.

It didn’t have to be that way.

All evidence indicated that fireworks in the given conditions were a recipe for disaster. And while the majority of residents here used their heads while lighting off personal displays, others decided to act like fools. Laboda and Jennings won’t tell you that outright, but we will.

The two PIOs went above and beyond in the week preceding the Fourth to ensure that, once again, the message of staying safe and sane on the holiday was spread.

Maybe it’s been said too many times. Maybe nobody listens to reason when there’s potential “fun” at hand anymore. One thing is certain though, Jennings and Laboda did their jobs. Some folks just neglected to do theirs.