Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Training Course

The Pyrotechnics Guild offers a PGI Display Operator Certification Course for people interested in becoming a PGI Certified Display Operator. Most locations where a pyrotechnician will be working are working under guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

An operator who has made the effort to educate themselves about the organization's requirements can put on a show that they can meet the standards that local authorities expect, as well as what the show's insurance carrier requires to extend coverage for the event.

The PGI Display Operator Certification Course is taught by Certified Display Operators who have a number of years of practical experience to their credit. A number of municipalities and organizations which are interested in having a fireworks display will only hire display companies who work with certified personnel. Failing to do so may prevent the company from being able to get a display permit or even to operate in the state.

This course is designed for people who are 18 years of age or older who are either interested in or already using 1.3G Display Fireworks, no matter what their skill level is.

People who only work with these types of fireworks on an occasional basis can benefit from the program as well. The course also serves as a refresher for people who have already taken a PGI course several years ago.

Course materials are updated regularly so that they incorporate an up-to-date version of the NFPA Code, as well as current safety techniques.

The PGI Display Operators course is a one-day class. It includes demos of malfunctions. Students enrolled in the course also get hands-on live fire training.

To pass the course, students must achieve a score of 80 percent or higher (60 correct answers out of 75). They must also successfully show the instructors that they can fire shells safely. Students have the option of taking the test orally if they have a learning disability, are visually impaired or who find taking a written test challenging in another way. A student can request that they take their test orally at the beginning of the course, and the instructor will be able to accommodate them.

How to Become a PGI Certified Shooter

In order to become a PGI Certified Shooter, an individual must first complete the PGI Display Operator Certification Course. The next step in the process is for the student to work on four 1.3G Displays as part of the the crew.

The individual must have participated in a "significant capacity" in the shows. Along with the four shows, the person who wants to complete the requirements for certification must have worked on one 1.3G fireworks display as either the lead or the co-lead shooter.

Proof of participation in a written statement on the club or company's letterhead is required. Alternatively, the candidate can fill out the form in the Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Training Course textbook and have the lead operator at the show sign it. They also need to indicate the date(s) worked and the type of displays used. The certification is given to people with experience in working on Professional (1.3G), as opposed to Consumer (1.4G) displays.

A person who has worked on their own shows as the Lead operator can vouch for their own participation on the honor system. The shows must have been legal ones and 1.3G types. A copy of the show permits may be submitted to support the application.

A person who has been working on pyrotechnics shows should be making note of the details of each one they have worked on. Once a person completes the introductory Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Training Course, there is no specific time limit for completing the requirements for a PGI Display Operator Certification after the PGI class is finished.

A person who is only working once a year as a Lead Operator on a show can still qualify for Certification as long as they complete the requirements.

Another option for gaining experience to complete the requirements for getting certified is to approach other clubs and local display companies to get some experience. The person who chooses to go this route needs to keep detailed records of their participation. Once they have completed the required number of shows, they need to send their score from the PGI course, their application from listing their show experience (along with any supporting documentation), and a processing fee (which as of the fall of 2010 is $10) to PGI. Once the application has been processed, CGI issues a certificate and a wallet-sized identification card.

Since a show operator needs to have a valid commercial driver's license and a Hazmat endorsement, we tell you what the steps are to get these important credentials.

The process for getting licensed as a pyrotechnician and becoming a certified shooter are also covered. We also share with you how the pay scale works for crew members working the shows. (Hint: For most of them, it is a labor of love as opposed to a main source of income.)

If you want to pursue your interest in setting off fireworks and possibly make some money doing it, then check out the helpful information in this section of JobMonkey.com. Find out how to join a crew and get the training you need to turn your dream of participating in a fireworks show into a reality.

How to become a Pyrotechnician

The first step in becoming a pyrotechnician is to ask yourself whether you are really enthused about working behind the scenes at a fireworks show instead of simply watching the show. Becoming a pyrotechnician involves putting in a number of hours working alongside someone with experience in the industry so that you can learn the ropes.

Another thing to consider before you pursue this option any further is whether you are willing to give up weekends and holidays (especially the Fourth of July) to work.

Each state is responsible for setting its own licensing requirements. You can find a list on the American Pyrotechnics Association web site. http://www.americanpyro.com/ Find out whether you need to get your license renewed each year, what kinds of fireworks can be used legally in the state, and whether you need to obtain a special permit before a show.

Most people who want to become pyrotechnicians start off by approaching a local fireworks display company and volunteering to help someone who is working as a pyrotechnician. The minimum age to start working on a display fireworks crew is 18 in most parts of the United States. To be a Display Operator in charge, you must be at least 21.

Expect to have to undergo a criminal background check before you are able to start working on a fireworks crew, even on a volunteer basis. You may also be asked to undergo drug and/or alcohol testing as well.

An apprentice will work on several shows under the supervision of more experienced members of the crew. As the apprentice gains experience working on between three and six outdoor shows, their performance is being constantly supervised and evaluated.

As the apprentice gains experience, he or she will be able to work on fireworks shows as the Display Operator's assistant.

The process of moving from a new apprentice to a fully-trained Display Operator will take between one and three years. The time frame will depend on how many shows the apprentice is able to participate in and how long it takes them to learn all the procedures involved in running a pyrotechnics show successfully.

Depending on the state where you are working, you may also be required to get a pyrotechnician's license. Candidates need to undergo testing and pay an annual fee to keep the license current. A Display Operator may also need to complete the requirements for a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and a Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) endorsement.

http://www.jobmonkey.com/truckdriving/commercial-drivers-license.html

Hazardous Materials Commercial License Overview

If you are going to be transporting fireworks to the location for a show, you will need to fulfill the requirements for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) first. Under federal legislation, drivers must pass a state-administered test before being granted their CDL. The standards for driver testing in the United States were developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Commercial Driver's License Classes

A CDL may be issued in the following license classifications:

1. A Class "A" License is issued for vehicles weighing over 26,000 lbs that are towing a minimum of 10,000 lbs.
2. A Class "B" License is issued for vehicles weighing more than 26,000 lbs or a vehicle towing less than 10,000 lbs.
3. A Class "C" License is reserved for vehicles that don't fit into a Class "A" or "B" category. It includes vehicles that are made to carry a minimum of 16 passengers, as well as those transporting hazardous materials.

Along with meeting the CDL requirements, a driver may need to take additional tests to qualify for endorsements that may be added to the basic CDL:

• H - Hazardous Materials
• N - Tank Vehicle
• P - Passenger
• T - Double/Triple Trailers
• X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

The Hazardous Materials, Tank Vehicle, and Double/Triple Trailers endorsements are granted to drivers who pass a knowledge test.

For the Passenger endorsement, the driver must pass a knowledge and skills test.

Requirements for Passing a Knowledge & Skills Test

A test administered to drivers who are interested in having an endorsement added to their CDL must meet these criteria: The driver must be presented with at least 30 questions. To pass the test, the driver must answer at least 80 percent of the questions correctly.

A driver who is taking the skills test must show the examiner that they can perform all of the skills required to operate the vehicle correctly. The driver performs these functions in a vehicle that is similar to the one that the driver is operating or will operate after they are granted the endorsement.

Information on the Commercial Driver's License

Each state issuing a CDL is responsible for setting the fees that drivers must pay to obtain one, as well as the procedures involved in renewing them. This includes how often a CDL must be renewed, as well as age and/or medical restrictions that apply.

Federal law sets out that the CDL must include the following information:

• The Words "Commercial Driver's License" or "CDL"
• State License Number and the Issuing State
• Date of Issue and Expiration Date
• Classes the Driver is Authorized to Drive
• Endorsements for Which the Driver is Qualified
• Driver's Full Name and Address
• Driver's Signature
• Driver's Date of Birth, Height, and Gender
• Photograph of the Driver

Hazardous Material Endorsement

The Transport Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for issuing HazMat (hazardous materials) endorsements to people with Commercial Driver's Licenses and others who need it to perform their jobs.

Under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act, states are prohibited from issuing a permit to transport hazardous materials for commercial purposes unless the driver has been screened to determine whether he or she presents a security risk.

A driver who wants to add a HazMat Endorsement onto their CDL, they need to apply for a security threat assessment. The application must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date on the CDL.

How To Apply For a HazMat Endorsement

A driver who wants to apply for a HazMat endorsement must produce the following:

• A valid Commercial Driver's License
• Proof of the driver's legal status
• Valid identification

Legal Status

A HazMat endorsement may only be granted to a person who is legally able to work in the United States. The endorsement may be granted to:

• A United States citizen
• A legal permanent resident
• Naturalized citizen
• Nonimmigrant alien
• Refugee or Asylee with legal status

Having a criminal record may disqualify the individual from getting a HazMat endorsement.

A person who has been declared mentally incompetent or who has been involuntarily admitted to a mental institution is prohibited from applying for a HazMat endorsement. The individual must not be considered a threat to transportation security to qualify as well. A written test may need to be administered before HazMat endorsement is issued. Once the TSA threat assessment is issued, it is valid for a period of up to five years.

Each state forwards the completed application form and the applicant's fingerprints to the TSA. Some states have signed contracts with agents to collect the required information and forward it to the TSA. For states serviced by agents, the application form can be completed online at http://www.hazprints.com. The individual pays a fee and makes an appointment to get his or her fingerprints taken at a TSA-contracted facility.

Possible Results of a Security Threat Assessment

Once the application has been processed, the individual will receive one of three possible results:

1. A letter indicating they are eligible. The actual HazMat endorsement will be issued by the state where you live.
2. A letter advising the person that they have one or more criteria that would disqualify him or her from receiving the HazMat endorsement. The recipient has 60 days to respond. He or she can ask for more time, appeal the decision, or choose to do nothing. If the individual doesn't respond, the state where the individual applied for the HazMat designation is notified and the individual is disqualified from getting the designation. In a situation where the applicant launches an appeal and is denied, he or she has the right to appeal to an Administrative Law Judge.
3. A letter stating the applicant is an imminent threat to transportation security. Any existing HazMat endorsement will be revoked immediately. The individual may appeal the decision, but he or she is prohibited from holding a HazMat endorsement in the interim.

You now have the opportunity to purchase and download a new copy of our very own 2011 Pyrotechnic Operator Crew & Safety Training Handbook:3rd Edition in Acrobat PDF format here. This latest 256 page comprehensive handbook has been used as a safety guide for training our crews, operators and fire department personnel. It contains material covering Safety & Handling of Product, Process of Shell Manufacture, Accident Prevention, Show Preparation, Electrical Firing, Computerized Firing, Tables & Distances, Display Operation, General Pyro Information, Employment and Job Opportunities, PGI Training Certification Information, and covers the different types of pyrotechnic devices and fireworks product. If you are interested in a copy of this book, please visit this link for information on how you can purchase an advanced copy.

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