One of My Hobbies!

A couple TB friends have asked about my hobby - pyrotechnician!  Well, let me try to explain!  I set up and shoot the beautiful fireworks you see that light up the sky!  Several years ago, I began an association with a guy who sold the fireworks to our local Chamber of Commerce.  I'm also on the local fire department whose members have set up and shot the local Independence Day display.  Once I met Jon, I first began as his assistant and have since hired my own crew, became a licensed shooter, and work long hours for the enjoyment of hearing people appreciate the light show in the sky!

Every year, an Ohio based shooter, depending on state regulations, must have a background check and fingerprints taken, take a test for licensing or continuing education if previously licensed, and demonstrate the safe usage of these explosives.

  The new rules and regulations as set forth by the State Fire Marshall's office must be reviewed.  I also took the various tests to receive my commercial driver's license with haz mat endorsement.  My work begins as I propose displays to communities and events.  Once the contract is signed, my focus is then directed to lining up my helpers and assistants.  The number of people needed depends on each individual show.  The more product (shells) there are, the more set up is required.  These assistants or helpers must also have a background check and fingerprinting done by the state of Ohio and receive a helper's license.  The rest of the training is left up to me.  Usually I have excellent helpers that work with me from year to year.   Occasionally, someone new will be added.  Those helpers, my wife, my daughter and son-in-law, and several fellow firefighters, will discuss show set up and dates needed.  If any training is necessary, it is better done before the actual date of the show. 

Once all the preliminary work is completed, it is time to load my trailer with the needed supplies.  I have a box type trailer I pull behind my pickup truck to each show.  Inside, I have several boxes with tools (hammers, pry bars, duct tape, etc.), two or three pop up style shelters (good for sun or rain), and a generator with lights (needed for clean up after the show).  A couple other boxes contain safety helmets and goggles, and dark cotton clothing.

  Depending on where the show is set up, there may be rakes, shovels, leaf blower, brooms, etc. needed for cleaning up the site after the show is over.   Also, folding chairs and a cot are handy for taking short breaks, and a bicycle is handy for those necessary runs that may be far away.  The trailer is usually pretty full by the time I pull away from home.

Work at show sites usually begins at daybreak.  The truck or trucks will arrive on site full of mortar tubes and product.  It is much cooler in the morning for unloading, lifting and assembling mortar racks.   Building the racks takes several hours.  Each must be placed and stabilized for safety. Since we are working in areas with no shade, those pop up shelters come in handy!  By midday, product is normally unloaded from boxes and placed on the mortar racks.

  Each shell is lowered into the mortar tube, and the wire secured to the rack.  The wire is then attached to a fire box and assigned a number.  Every shell, which is fired electronically or by computer, must be covered with foil.  This is especially important if inclement weather may be a problem or the shells may be in close proximity to other sets of mortars.  The whole set up may be covered in heavy plastic, again if rain is possible. 

Once all the shells have been loaded and wired to the firebox, another wire must be run from the firebox to the main control center.  The center is usually set up in the area, but a safe distance from the mortars.  Care must be taken once the wires are connected to the main not to step on any wire running along the ground.

  Depending on the show, there may be a pod(s) for "cake boxes" which are several firework effects not quite as explosive as the shells shot from the mortars.  These cakes produce a "ground" display (meaning the shells do not go as high as the individual shells) and add dramatic lights and sound to a show, and will have several wires running to the control center. 

About an hour prior to the show, a continuity check is performed.  By this time, all workers should have everything wired and ready to go.  This test is important since it will show any wiring problems.  If problems occur, helpers will then go back to square one, check wiring from the shell to the firebox to the control center.  This step may take several tries and hopefully completed with some time to stash all unnecessary items in the trailer.

  Vehicles will be driven to a safe distance away from the set up.  The jurisdiction responsible for safety (usually the local fire department) will double and triple check the setup to make sure everyone including workers will be safe.  I will assign duties to my workers such as operating fire extinguishers and watching for shells that may go up in the air, but not open.  These shells, if any, will be dealt with after the show. 

Now it is a waiting game.  Some shows are coordinated with the local radio station to music.  A countdown to show time begins, and excitement builds.  We may work a couple days on set up for a 30 minute show.  Conditions are usually poor - located in remote areas, buggy, hot, and dirty.

  Adrenaline starts pumping as show time draws near.  No matter how tired, hot, and sweaty you may be, the excitement of a successful show wipes away the long days work. 

As the show begins, I work behind the control panel or box.  I press the buttons connected to the wires and fire the shells.  One helper is assigned a watch making sure I pace myself for the duration of the show.  Most of us wear some sort of light attached to a hat or around our head.  Most shows are between 20 and 30 minutes in length.  Those fired by computer are the easiest.  One button shoots and sets the pace for the whole show.  There are also hand fired shows, usually small in numbers.  Each helper is clothed in dark all cotton clothing, safety helmet and glasses, and given a fusee to hand light the fuse.

  The fuse is lit (these are not connected to a firebox), and you duck!  It is such a "rush" to orchestrate a show.  The shooter doesn't get to watch the show, but is instead watching the action, calling out orders, and making sure all stay out of the fire area.  Hearing the applause and shouts of the crowd make the work all worth it at the end of the show!

After a specified length of time to allow the area to "cool" down, myself and the workers examine the mortar tubes and boxes looking for shells that may not have gone up.  These will be handled very carefully and boxed for return to the company.  The tubes will be cleaned, disassembled, and loaded on the truck for use next time.  All garbage in the area will be cleaned up and disposed.

  One person will walk the entire "fallout" area looking for shells that may not have opened.  I try to leave the area just as I found it in the morning.  Since we are working into the early morning hours, I will return to the site at first light the next day to once again walk the area and make sure it is clear of anything dangerous. 

The popularity of shows around the Fourth of July usually finds me and my crew on the road to the next show very early in the morning - sometimes with only a few hours sleep.  It is hard work and long hours, but very rewarding!  Communication between my crew and others is important for swapping equipment and trucks.  I appreciate the time my crew gives up around the holiday just to help me!  It isn't all work, as we have fun during lunch breaks and waiting times.

  We sleep whenever possible.