Extreme weather conditions have started happening throughout Australia and I keep being asked the same question; “Can I still hire a fire performance for my event?”

The answer is YES but extra measures need to be taken into consideration and risks eliminated before the show can commence.

Fire equipment should not emit embers like an open fire and this is why fire twirling or a fire show can still be hired while a fire ban is in place. But there are still risks and these risks need to be addressed. The company or performer needs to make 100% sure that the performance is safe and eliminate all risks that could arise while performing with fire during a fire ban.

If you are thinking of hiring a fire performer or fire show for your next event there are a few things you should consider before booking any performance.

First of all; hiring a professional company is vital! Before booking any fire performer or fire show for your event there are a few things you should ask them.

• Do they have full $20 million Public Liability Insurance?

• Are they able to provide the event organisers and the venue with a full risk assessment?

• Would they contact the local fire authorities and seek permission?

• Have they ever performed in a fire ban before and what measures did they put in place?

• Are they able to meet on-site either in person or via video call to check the space and give the area the all clear?

• What kind of performance are you hiring and what extra measures would the performer take to insure the venue will allow a fire performance on their property?

• Would the company or performer be happy to contact the venue and discuss options and what to implicate for the safest risk-free performance?

The more questions asked the better. A phone call will save a lot of time and you will be able to get a good idea who you are booking, and if they are a professional company or performer with experience performing fire shows.

What is a fire ban?

A fire ban is a total ban on any fires lit in open air with extreme weather conditions of heat and/or high winds. It can also be put into effect when firefighters are pushed to their limits of recourses in some areas.

There are slight variations in rules and restrictions between states but it is always essential to check with local rural and urban fire services before undertaking any lighting of fires in a fire ban or around the time a fire ban is in place.

Below are a few links to the different states of Australia and their restrictions and information regarding fire bans.

Queensland Rural Fire Service Information – https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx

New South Wales Rural Fire Information – https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information

Canberra ACT Emergency Services  https://esa.act.gov.au/cbr-be-emergency-ready/total-fire-bans

Victoria Warnings and Restrictions – https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/total-fire-bans-and-ratings

Western Australia DFES - https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/whatisatfb.aspx

Western Australia Fire Ban Information – https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/whatisatfb.aspx

Northern Territory Government Fire Management - https://securent.nt.gov.au/prepare-for-an-emergency/bushfires/fire-management-in-the-nt

What not to do in a fire ban – https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/totalfirebans/Pages/TotalFireBanWhatCantIDo.aspx

Prepare | Act | Survive – PDF – https://www.wagin.wa.gov.au/Assets/Documents/FireBan/Total_Fire_Bans_Factsheet.pdf

What actions do Energy Entertainments take when performing any show? Fire ban or no fire ban!

• All performers working with Energy Entertainments have $20Million Public Liability Insurance

• Conduct a risk assessment of the space and venue of the performance for the safest show possible

• Contact local fire services to advise of the risks in place and how the team have eliminated them

• Advise event staff and venue staff of the location of performance and ask there are any risks?

• Space requirements away from any combustible material or persons

• Check fire equipment before every performance to make sure in safe working order

• The Kevlar on fire equipment which is ignited must not be old or frayed

• Only use the safest fuel on the market – Isopar G

• Powder fire extinguishers must be present, charged and in date

• Fire blankets and wet towels must be present at every performance area

• Dampen the area with water where the performance is taking place if the area is dry and has a potential risk of igniting for any reason

• All performers must be in sound health and not intoxicated with any substances

• All performers must be experienced performing with fire and had adequate training either from Energy Entertainments or another respectable fire performance company

Do not take any risks, all performers take full responsibilities for their actions and by not following risk assessments conducted by Energy Entertainments can result in fines of up to $25,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment.

I hope this post was useful for anyone hiring a fire performer or fire show for any event or celebration throughout Australia. I also hope that this can be helpful in preventing any fires and give the correct information on what you can do and what actions to take while a fire ban is in place in your local area where the event or celebration is taking place.

Please follow the links and make sure that every risk is eliminated before thinking about hiring fire entertainers.

If you are looking to hire a fire performance, please take Energy Entertainments into consideration and we promise to create a hassle-free experience from start to finish that’s safe and extremely exciting.

Energy Entertainments offer world-class entertainment around Australia and cater for international clients worldwide. Specialising in fire entertainment and offering a variety of specialty acts, workshops and shows, Energy Entertainments guarantee a wow factor and an engaging experience every time.

Thanks and stay safe

Neal Webb

More information about shows Energy Entertainments offer – https://energyentertainments.com.au/fire-shows/

More information about Workshops – https://energyentertainments.com.au/workshops/

Facebook – Martial Fire 

Instagram – Energy Entertainments 

Youtube – Energy 

$20M Public Liability Insurance | $20M Public Property Insurance | 100% Safety Record

Risk Assessments | MSDS & SWMS Forms available | A professional service from start to finish.

For FAQ’s visit our Contact Us page

IGNITION is the 2nd video collaboration between Neal Webb, professional fire performer & professional BMX rider Chris James.

Raising the bar once more, this time in Elanora skate park, Gold Coast, Australia.
BMX rider – Chris James
Fire and spark spinning – Neal Webb
Fire-breathing and whip – Bryce Watts
Supported by – PSD Underwear Australia Threeworlds Energy Entertainments
Filmed and edited by Matty Rogers

Yep that’s right a man inhaled fire while trying to fire breath at Burleigh Heads. Not the smartest thing to do on a Sunday night but I have seen this happen on a few occasions around the World over the past decade and its not a pretty sight.

Personally I don’t breath fire, I have but stopped when I read into the dangers of fire breathing. Without the danger of a blazing ball of flames in front of your face you also have the chemicals used to fuel the fire that are eating away at your teeth, lining your stomach and generally poising your body slowly.

The most common accidents while fire breathing is inhaling the flame or burning the face. The problem is when we are surprised or shocked our natural reaction is to inhale, not a great outcome when you have a 2 metre flame coming out of your mouth. Also when we have exhaled all of our breath and our body is calling for oxygen we tend to take a deep breath in, if the fire breather has not disconnected from the spray or vapour of the fuel the fire can remain present and follow this vapour down towards the face resulting in either face burns or fire inhalation. Both are not great outcomes.

My suggestion is ‘just don’t bother’ it might look cool and it could impress a few people but when your face is melted or your airways have been burnt your not going to be looking that cool anymore.

If you are still interested in looking deeper into the art of fire breathing check out Home Of Poi’s ‘Fire Breathing Page here……

This will either put you off fire breathing for life or at least give you the knowledge and understanding of the dangers involved fire breathing.

Dancing with fire is a very dangerous past time anyway but with good training and a lot of research you can have a fun and enjoyable time dancing with this raging element. Remember safety is the most important thing when trying to fire dance, fire twirl, fire spin etc…. But stay sober, know what to wear, have fire extinguisher and fire blanket on hand every time.

If you would like to learn the safety aspects of moving with fire please contact Energy Entertainments and we can provide you with a safe enjoyable night learning about the art and safety of fire dancing.

We do not teach how to fire breath and recommend you don’t try it.

Stay safe guys and always remain alert in any situation.

For information about fire shows on the coast check out our show page here.

Google + post here