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.
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Do they have full $20 million Public Liability Insurance?
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Are they able to provide the event organisers and the venue with a full risk assessment?
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Would they contact the local fire authorities and seek permission?
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Have they ever performed in a fire ban before and what measures did they put in place?
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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?
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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?
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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 does Energy Entertainment take when performing any show? Fire ban or no fire ban!
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All performers working with Energy Entertainments have $ 20 million Public Liability Insurance
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Conduct a risk assessment of the space and venue of the performance for the safest show possible
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Contact local fire services to advise of the risks in place and how the team have eliminated them
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Advise event staff and venue staff of the location of the performance and ask if there are any risks.
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Space requirements away from any combustible material or persons
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Check fire equipment before every performance to make sure in safe working order
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The Kevlar on fire equipment which is ignited must not be old or frayed
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Only use the safest fuel on the market – Isopar G
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Powder fire extinguishers must be present, charged and in date
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Fire blankets and wet towels must be present at every performance area
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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
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All performers must be in sound health and not intoxicated with any substances
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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 responsibility for their actions and 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 speciality 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://www.energyentertainments.com.au/fire-shows/
More information about Workshops – https://www.energyentertainments.com.au/workshops/
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