I'm sure there are a lot of people reading this wondering, "how do I get a job like that?" So tell us a little about the process of getting licensed. I'm sure it varies from state to state. What are the differences in licenses? How do you get a job shooting the big stuff on the 4th?
Im not an operator of this stuff, but I am interested in exploring it. How do you get involved in pyrotechnics as a career field as it were?
My suggestion for those that want to get involved is to check out the PGI- Pyrotechnics Guild International at:
Fireworks
PGI is an international club that has a focus on
amateur and profesional pyrotechnics. In the states specifically, they have become one of the best recognized resources to "becoming legal" by offering the Display Operators Course. This course is highly sought after by many
AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) such as Municipalities, Fire, Police, Coast Gaurd,
etc. as well as professional display providers. You can obtain your certification through PGI at their annual convention which moves to various states in the union.
Also look into some local
pyro Guild's such as the WPAG-Wisconsin Pyrotechnic Arts Guild at:
Home Page who may be closer to you and host the PGI Display Operators Certification class. I am a
current member, as well as a former board member of this club and it is the 2nd largest
pyro guild in the U.S.
Here are a list of some others:
Bluegrass Pyrotechnics Guild (Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and surrounding)
Crackerjacks Fireworks Club (Virginia and East Coast)
Heartland Pyrotechnic Association (Tri-State Northern IL, and Southwest MI)
Iowa Pyrotechnic Association (Iowa and surrounding)
Missouri Pyrotechnics Association (Missouri and Southern IL)
MPAG-Michigan Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (Michigan)
New Hampshire Pyrotechnics Association (New England)
Northern Lighters (Minnesota)
Northern Lights Pyros Club (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic)
Northwest Pyrotechnic Arts Association (Northwestern)
Ohio Pyrotechnics Arts Guild (Ohio)
Oregon Fireworks Association (Oregon)
Pennslyvania Pyrotechnic Artist (Pennslyvania)
Prarie Thunder
Pyro (North Dakota)
Pyrotechnic Artist of Texas (Texas)
Rocky Mountain Pyrotechnics Guild (South East)
Stumptown Shooters (Iowa and surrounding)
Western New York Pyrotechnic Association (New York)
Western Pyrotechnic Association (AZ, NV and western U.S.)
I believe that all of these clubs offer the PGI certification and can be a great resource for entering the professional field as well as
amateur manufacturing (SAFELY/LEGALLY). Now, the laws can greatly vary from state to state. While PGI Cert. is not required by the
FED and most states, many local municiaplities will request that at least the "Lead Operator" has it.
Many display companies experience their busy season around the 4th of July and are always looking for help. For instance a company I work with alot, sources out over 250 displays on the 4th alone. Some displays require over 100 people and some less than 10.
Call them a couple months before
hand to see if they will bring you in. It helps if you already have the PGI cert, but some companies do not require it and will train in-house. Because companies vary so much, and the risk factor is so high, I strongly encourage a proper certification and the PGI one is typically less than $75 and can be done and tested
in one day. However, you will need to work a few shows under a certified "Lead Operator" as a part of the course completion. You must be 18yrs or older. I have accepted many "cold-calls" from guys wanting to help. If they sound responsible and meet some basic requirements (18yrs age, no felony,
etc), than I ask them to come in.
This is the most basic and easy route. If you want to operate as your own "entity", than it becomes much more complex with many more steps at the Federal and State
level. The biggest challenge in this
category is providing Secure Legal Storage, HAZMAT Compliance, and Insurance. If anyone wants more details on this, I can help. Just PM me.
Just so that everyone knows, doing pro fireworks is hard and dirty work. For outdoor displays, mortar racks are heavy and can weigh a couple hundred pounds. There are shows I do that require hundreds of racks with mortar sizes form 3" to 16" in diameter. Plan for an exhausting day, but a very rewarding one. If you are fearful of guns or the like, than I wouldn't consider
pyro. These types of fireworks are loud when ejecting from the mortars and the concussion can be felt from 30+ feet away. Not a job for the meek. If you like booms and firey bright flashes, than this may be your gig. You must be responsible and aware of
safety at all times. Hundreds if not tens of thousands of lives count on every single person on the shoot site to be aware of their
safety. To do indoor or proximate effects beyond your standard theatrical effects (flash pots, concussions,
etc), usually requires more experience in the field. Not all, but most companies will want you to have worked on outdoor events and have experience with electrical firing systems, as a min. before considering putting you on an event like this. You must have a
clear understanding of the product specs, fallout, air quality, site security, and
NFPA rules before you can master proximate.
While some "Pyros" have a past that includes doing stupid things with fireworks out of ignorance and just plain fun, it can all turn south very quickly with results that last (or shorten) a lifetime, and I would not encourage illegal use and/or modification of devices beyond their intended purpose.
Also, like most jobs in the field of entertainment, you are very likely not going to get rich and will be paid little. You must enjoy it to grow a career. But it is one heck of an experience to do at least once, even better to do it often.