Authorities reinforce coordination in BCS: SEDENA is the only entity authorized for pyrotechnics permits

With the December holiday season approaching, authorities in Baja California Sur have initiated a series of coordinated actions to strictly regulate the handling and sale of pyrotechnics. The main objective is to guarantee citizen safety and prevent accidents commonly associated with the use of these explosive devices during the festivities.

To this end, a high-level strategic meeting was held at the facilities of the 3/a. Military Zone, located in the city of La Paz. This meeting served as the starting point for establishing the guidelines and responsibilities for each agency involved in the upcoming "December Operation," a key inter-institutional effort.

The meeting was chaired by Brigade General D.E.M. Gerardo Siqueiros, who serves as the Commander of the 3/a. Military Zone. His leadership in the meeting underscores the central role the armed forces play in controlling explosive materials, the category under which commercial and recreational pyrotechnics are classified in the country.

The meeting was attended by key representatives for public safety and disaster prevention in the state. The directors and heads of the municipal Civil Protection units of the entity were present, as well as the State Sub-secretariat of Civil Protection, consolidating a common front that spans all levels of government.

Notably, the Heroic Fire Department of La Paz also participated. The firefighters' presence is crucial, not only for their expertise in managing fire-related emergencies but also for their ability to assess risks at the storage and sales points of these highly flammable products.

During the work session, a fundamental legal point that citizens and merchants must understand was reiterated: the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) is the *only* entity in all of Mexico legally empowered to issue general permits for the commercialization of pyrotechnic devices.

This ruling means that no municipal or state government can authorize the sale of pyrotechnics independently. Merchants wishing to participate in this economic activity must, first and foremost, manage and obtain the corresponding federal authorization issued by SEDENA, complying with the Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives.

The role of local authorities, such as the Civil Protection directorates of each municipality, was clearly defined. Once a merchant presents the federal permit from SEDENA, the job of Civil Protection is to verify that the sales point and storage area comply with all stipulated safety measures.

This local verification is an indispensable second safety filter. Municipal inspectors will ensure that storage is adequate, that fire extinguishers and signage are available, and that the stall's location does not pose an imminent risk to the population or surrounding infrastructure, thus protecting the assets of Sudcalifornians.

The coordination established in this meeting seeks to close any legal or oversight loopholes. The goal is to prevent the proliferation of clandestine sales points, which pose the greatest danger, ensuring that only those who comply with the dual verification, federal and municipal, can operate during the December season.