On November 15, 2006 there was a flash fire at the Bartolotta Fireworks Co in Genesee Depot, WI. Company employees were assembling and packaging pyrotechnic gas generators for end use in splitting rocks in construction, demolition and quarrying.
Rocco Bartolotta, 22, Dominic "Nick" Bartolotta, 30 and Anthony "Tony" Bartolotta, 32 were injured as a result of the fire. Fortunately they were following the proper procedures and wearing protective clothing, but even then Rocco and Nick suffered extensive burns.
Rocco and Nick are now enduring long term surgeries and therapies to help them recover. They are unable to work and in the meantime the burden of the non-medical expenses is overwhelming their young families.
Workman's compensation claims in situations like this typically take years to work out, and even then only cover medical expenses, lost wages and such. They also do not help the families with the additional travel and other expenses involved with the continuing surgeries and therapies.
A group of concerned and bighearted folks within the pyro community have taken action to help the young men. With no efforts expected by Rocco, Nick, and Tony or their immediately families, a trust account has been established for them with donations to be dispersed appropriately.
The Bartolotta Family Trust was created though the laudable actions of attorney Don Creadore of New York and Trustees Cameron Starr of All Star Fireworks, 75 S Harmon Drive, Mitchell, SD; Marvin Kohler of Marv Kohler Enterprises, 1739 South Ingalls, Grand Island, NE 68803; and Sam Wong of Mirage International Trading Co, Ltd USA, 731 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133.
At the National Fireworks Association (NFA) Expo this past September, there was a series of appeals made to which members responded with generous donations. The Pyrotechnicians International (PI) has also contributed, as have a number of individuals and companies.
Anyone can contribute and everyone in the pyro community is especially encouraged to help. After all, there but for the Grace of God ....
Here are two links to the Milwaukee newspaper with more details.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=532033
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=531815
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Here is an email recieved from Joe Bartolotta, President of Fireworks America based in San Diego, CA.
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Charlie and Bengt:
Thank you so much for your consideration for my family.
Here is what I know about what has happened.
On November 15th, my sons, Tony and Nick and my nephew Rocco, were working on a device called a gas generator for the quarry industry when something went terribly wrong. The building became a fire ball and burned all three men inside. To this date, no one knows exactly what happened and in fact, this device was never supposed to do this. The Company that brought this to Bartolotta Fireworks was in shock as they did not believe the product would react as it did.
So my son Nick and my nephew Rocco were admitted to St Mary's Burn Center in Milwaukee on Nov 15th. Tony was released from Waukesha Memorial Hospital on Nov 15th after care, although he should not have been released that soon according to nurses at St Mary's. He was insistent on getting to where his brother was and would not stay hopitalized.
Nick was released from St Mary's on December 24th and Rocco was released about one week prior. Nick was back in the hospital on December 27th for his 7th Surgery, which was performed at Elmbrook Hospital in Brookfield. Rocco and Nick continue with therapy, as Rocco goes twice per week and Nick goes daily.
Tony is burned the least severe with burns to his hand, and his face and head, and his burns were somewhat minor although he will feel them for years with the change in the weather.
Rocco was burned badly on his arms and hands and lesser to his face. He had surgery to his hands and arms.
Nick has severe burns to his hands and face. He has had one surgery on his hands so far and 7 on his face.
He just had another surgery on March 2nd back at St Mary's Burn Center, this one again for around his eyes. I have been here since March 1 and am staying until March 10th. My wife Linda and I have been here almost non stop since Nov 15th to help however we can.
All the young men are expected to heal and resume "normal" lives, although we are now learning the term "new normal" when it comes to burn survival. The healing process is slow and long. Nick is expected to be out of work and healing for 18 months to 2 years.
This was not a fireworks accident, but yet it was related to our industry. As of now, we still don't know what the cause was, but it is still under investigation and I am on a mission to determine what happened. I will keep you informed of anything I find, that I can give out.
Again, thanks for your support.
Joe Bartolotta
Here is a follow-up email recieved from Joe Bartolotta
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I can't tell you, there are no words for what you all are doing to help my sons and my nephew. This has been the worst nightmare of my life and the hits just keep on coming. Tony called us the other day to tell us that he has not been released to go to work, but he has been released from the doctor's care, so his Worker's Compensation weekly paycheck was stopped with no advance notice. Tony is suffering from Post Trumatic Stress Syndrome and will not be returning to Bartolotta Fireworks. He has been told that he can go to school to train for another job. During the schooling there is a possibility that Workers Comp will again kick in for his weekly benefits, but until then he has nothing. He is caught in the black hole. He can't get a job or they can then say he doesn't need the schooling because he already has a job and they are telling him he may not qualify for Unemployment form Wisconsin because he "quit" his job at Bartolotta Fireworks. This is one continuing nightmare. Linda and I are helping the sons as much as we can to make this work for now. But I have never seen anything like this in my life and would not wish this on anyone.
Again, we can't tell you how much we appreciate what you are doing.
Charlie, I will get you the information you are looking for as soon as possible.
Joe Bartolotta
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