Question about creating groups.

topic posted Wed, February 27, 2008 - 3:13 AM by  Jodans
I am interested in the possibility of creating my own fire gatherings.
Where I am there is only about two a week, one on a day that I have to work, and personally I want more than just one burn a week.
So I am curious if anyone knows, or could point me in the right direction on how I can start my own social gatherings with fire activities.
I live in an apartment, and I doubt the owner was giving permission, but I hear something about burns in Golden Gate park in SF, and was thinking maybe a park in Vancouver, Wa or Portland, OR.
Any help, info, links and suggestions would be more than welcome.
I want to keep this legal:
#1) I don't want tickets or jail time on my spotless crim record.
#2) Don't want to ruin the reputation of fire performers as a whole.

Thanks.
posted by:
Jodans
Portland
  • Re: Question about creating groups.

    Wed, February 27, 2008 - 11:24 AM
    Then start by picking a location. Find out which fire department has jurisdiction. Tell them what you want to do and ask if it's cool. Get names. Get it in writing if you can. Be ready to drag a few folks down there at 9AM to do a little show for them. Treat it like a read show (safeties, extinguishers, etc) here's some typical problems:
    -) "Amateur" - It helps to have your own set of safety codes, try the NAFAA.org performer guidelines.
    -) "We don't handle that here" - keep pushing until you get to someone who will take responsibility
    -) "Oh that's not legal here" - have them show you the actual codes. If it's true, you may have to re-locate.
    -) "Fine, but here's the restrictions..." - they'll do this, try to over restrict you and such. At that point it's something of a negotiation. if they restrict by tool (no juggling), then show them you're safe and pop the juggling on them again later. If they want to have a marshall on duty, that will get expensive; make sure they know you want to 'practice' not 'perform', that helps.
    • Re: Question about creating groups.

      Wed, February 27, 2008 - 3:33 PM
      Thanks that is quite helpful.
      One last question if you know it, to do practices in a public park, is it the fire department only I need to speak with or would the cities parks and recreation type office need to be asked also?
      • Re: Question about creating groups.

        Wed, February 27, 2008 - 4:15 PM
        Again, that varies by city, and the FD usually knows the answer, but my instant guess would be "yes". The one we have here in LA requires permits from the parks, and Fire departments. The parks permit is weekly and varies by the number of attendees in groups of 25, but is otherwise the same deal they get for baseball, soccer, or birthday parties. Finding the right park was the hard part, we lucked out in getting the only one not connected directly to a residential district (no one to get worried about us losing a tool, no noise issues, etc)

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