Pyrotechnicians are the folks who put on the firework displays at concerts, on movie sets, for theatrical productions. All these are venues where a highly trained Pyrotechnician gets to "play with fire!"

A Pyrotechnician is the person who's responsibility it is for the safe storage, handling, and functioning of pyrotechnics (explosives) and pyrotechnic devices (switches etc). Generally, its the term used in reference to individuals who operate pyrotechnics in the entertainment industry.

Individuals who handle more powerful materials for commercial, demolition, or military applications are generally referred to as explosive technicians.

What does it take to become a Pyrotechnician? Let's take a look!

Here are a few of the things you'll have to accomplish on your path to lighting the sky on fire! Keep in mind, each country is different as far as licensing and certifications are concerned.

These are just general, minimal requirements. You may find more time is required before you're designing/putting on your own show.

• You must be at least 18 years of age, (some states require 21 years of age), to participate on a display fireworks crew.
• You must be at least 21 years old to be a Display Operator in charge.
• You cannot be afraid of hard work.
• You will be subject to classroom training as well as hands on training out in the field
• You should have a true passion for fireworks.
• You will be required to work as an apprentice on at least 3 to 6 outdoor fireworks shows and will be observed and evaluated on your performance and safety practices.
• Find a reputable fireworks display company, and attend a beginners training class.
• You will be required to submit to criminal background checks and alcohol and drug testing.
  
• You will be required to be an apprentice on at least three to six outdoor fireworks shows, under the watchful eye of an experienced Pyrotechnician, and will be observed and evaluated on your performance and safety practices.
• You will have to work on several shows as an assistant to the Display Operator in charge, once you have gained enough experience and understand all of the regulations, you may then be ready to take on your own show.
• This process could take 1 to 3 years, depending on how many shows you participate on, how quickly you become proficient and the rules of the pyrotechnic company.
• A Display Operator, may also be required to get a CDL (commercial driver license) with a haz-mat endorsement which will require classroom training, driver training, more criminal background and drug and alcohol testing.

The typical Pyrotechnician has gone to college and taken Science, Chemistry and Math courses. You will need a strong foundation in chemistry to understand the explosives.

Pyrotechnician - Certified to fabricate and handle the explosive materials

Assistant - Generally an entry level position. Some assistants, with restrictions, can handle and set up, under direct supervision.

Theatrical User - Individual may use only a severely restricted list of pyrotechnics, as a minor part of their profession.

Special Effects Technician - Most advanced level certification for the handling of any pyrotechnics.

Every country has its own certification requirements, and many have to be renewed yearly. All require background identification checks and drug testing.

Explosives and detonation devices. A Pyrotechnician ,generally, doesn't make his own, they are manufactured in countries, like China. They are then shipped, and the 'Pyro' and his crew assemble them to the specifications of the show.

Many Pyrotechnicians have, in their resumes, a background of theatre arts, which aids them in setting up shows where music and pyrotechnics have to be choreographed. While many shows are set up to be run from a computer, there are still some "purists" who prefer to detonate them from a board.

Probably most, if not all Pyrotechnicians have a place (like a garage or shed) at home where they practice blowing up things.  The kid's toys, flower pots, empty paint cans, all in the name of "research.  Yep.. sure!  You just wanna see that toy car fly 50 feet!

If there's a potentially dangerous career, this is one.  Explosives are dangerous and unpredictable.  There are those rare times when something goes wrong.  And those times it doesn't go at all!  "OOPS!"  It could be a crisis if the crowd is all set for the big show, or the director of the movie calls 'ACTION' and *poof* nothing happens!  Someone has to go in, find the problem and fix it, without knowing if you have a live fuse waiting for you. 

There are times when a mishap becomes great theater.  On the set of a movie, about a bomb squad, they were set to blow up a yacht.  They underestimated the percussive effect of the explosion, and building windows for 30 blocks were shattered.   The cameras caught this explosion from so many angles that the mishap became "The Scene" that marketed the movie. 

Most Pyrotechnicians in the U.S. pursue this field as a second job. This career puts you with an elite group within the entertainment industry. Did you know less than 3% of the population participate in this activity? Being a Fireworks Display operator gives you the opportunity to travel and be part of the exciting world of fireworks entertainment, while earning some extra income at the same time.

To be a top-notch Display Operator, requires a flexible personality. There are times when the creativity of the show conflicts with local safety regulations. There are mounds of permits required, hours of planning, designing, and testing.

This career will require years of apprenticeship training, rigorous testing between levels of classification, and stringent licensing laws, ensuring that the person lighting the fuse really knows his or her stuff.

And when the crowd says "OOOOOH!!!! AHHHHH!", you know you've done it well!

If this is the career for you - Go and light up the sky!