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 WHAT IS PGI DISPLAY
OPERATOR TRAINING?
As one of the largest pyrotechnics organizations in the world, with a primary
interest in Safety, the Pyrotechnics Guild International believes that well
trained and prepared Display Operators are essential for improving and
maintaining both the Safety and the Artistry of Fireworks Displays.
The PGI Display Operator Certification (DOC) Course is, designed to meet the
need for both a “Basic” course in Fireworks Display Safety and as the first step
in an optional Certification Process which, when completed results in the
successful trainee becoming a PGI Certified Display Operator.
The course closely adheres to well-established Shoot Site Safety Practices and
to the Safety Guidelines of the PGI and is congruent with National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) Codes 1123 & 1124. These two codes cover the
Transportation, Handling, Storage of 1.3G Display Fireworks and the Planning,
Setup and Operation of 1.3G Displays.
Note: You DO NOT need to be a PGI Member in order to become a PGI Certified
Display Operator.
WHY SHOULD I BOTHER TAKING THE PGI COURSE?
NFPA Codes are relied upon in most locales and are often mandated by Insurers of
Fireworks Displays in the United States. Knowledge of and compliance with these
codes ensures that displays adhere to the standards expected by both local
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and, very likely, by your Insurance
Carrier. More importantly, this knowledge will help the display operator conduct
safer displays.
The PGI Display Operator Training course is a nationally accepted training
program for those conducting fireworks displays. Our instructors are all
Certified Display Operators with many years of experience in the safe handling
of Display Fireworks. The course was designed by your Pyrotechnics peers, based
upon the sum of their knowledge and experience and in accordance with the most
current NFPA Codes. The PGI DOC Course will impart to you the information you
need to help avoid common mistakes and to deal with situations commonly
encountered to help keep your Displays safe and legal.
Many states and municipalities look for this or other certification when hiring
display companies to perform their fireworks displays and some states require
certification before an individual may be allowed to operate a display in their
state or to obtain a display permit.
PGI Display Operator Certification gives sponsors assurance that the people
conducting a fireworks display have had formal training, experience, and have a
basic understanding of the rules and regulations concerning display fireworks.
Whether you take the course for PGI Certification or not, it provides good,
safety-based information, which is helpful to anyone who wants to shoot or who
currently does shoot 1.3G Fireworks at any skill level.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THE PGI DOC COURSE?
Anyone over the age of 18, who wants to shoot or who does shoot 1.3G Display
Fireworks at any skill level, will take something of value away from this
training.
If you are an occasional shooter or only work on the crew to setup displays, you
will find this course valuable for increasing your safety and overall fireworks
display setup/operation knowledge.
If you have previously taken the PGI Class but it has been several years, you
may want to take it again to remain fresh and up to date on the latest
information whether you are PGI Certified or not as it has most certainly
changed.
Because the PGI DOC Course is designed for Certification (see below for
details), it is regularly updated to reflect the most current versions of NFPA
Code and the latest in Safety Techniques.
SHOULD I BECOME A CERTIFIED DISPLAY OPERATOR?
If you are a professional shooter or a hobbyist, over the age of 21 who is most
often the Lead Shooter on the Displays you work on, the course is highly
recommended for you and is the first step in the overall PGI Display Operator
Certification process.
Additionally, if you live/work in an area where the PGI Certification is,
accepted as equivalent to your state or local fireworks Display Operator
Licensing, the PGI DOC (Display Operator Certification) may serve as an
alternative to your State License. Check with your Local AHJ (Authority Having
Jurisdiction), Fire Department or your State Fire Marshal Office if unsure if
this applies to you. Some jurisdictions require independent licensure, but
accept PGI certification as proof of training and eligibility to take the state
licensure examination.
Your PGI Display Operator Certification shows your clients, potential employers,
show sponsors and your peers that you are serious about Pyrotechnics, that you
have experience, have been, trained, are competent to conduct 1.3G Displays and
are able to comply with current codes and safety practices.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TAKING THE COURSE?
The PGI Display Operators coursework is given as a one-day class, concluding
with demos of malfunctions and hands-on, live fire training.
Course attendees must attend the class, pass a written test with a score of 80%
(60 of 75) or better, and demonstrate to our instructors that they have the
ability to hand-fire shells safely while under our supervision.
Note: The Test may be, administered orally as well, for those with Learning
Disabilities, who are Sight-Impaired or those who just have trouble taking
written tests. Please ask your trainer at the beginning of the class if you wish
to take the test orally and they will be happy to accommodate your needs.
A copy of the current version of the PGI Display Operator Textbook (300+ pages)
is used during the class and is yours to keep as a valuable reference tool.
If you are interested in becoming a PGI Certified Display Operator, an
application form is included in the textbook and is the form you will use to
document your display experience (see below).
WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO DO TO BECOME CERTIFIED?
If you decide that Certification is for you and once the coursework described
above is completed, the course attendee must additionally demonstrate experience
in working fireworks displays by documenting his/her having worked on FOUR 1.3G
Displays (in any significant crew capacity) and ONE 1.3G Display as EITHER Lead
or CO-Lead Shooter.
(Note: This Co-Lead provision is, allowed because in some areas, you must first
be certified. in order to be Lead Shooter on a show. As Co-Lead, you must
participate in ALL activities the Lead Shooter is involved in.)
Acceptable documentation is provided using any written statement (on club or
company letterhead or by signing the form supplied in the textbook) by the Lead
Operator of the show(s) you worked, the date(s) of the Display(s) and the type
of Display (must have been a “Professional” 1.3G – not – a “Consumer” 1.4G
Display).
If the display(s) you worked were your own (and you were the Lead), you are on
an honor system and may vouch for your own shows so long as they were legal
(permitted) 1.3G shows. (It helps to include copies of the permits).
If you have show experience and this is your initial (first time) PGI
Certification, you may use prior experience to document the course requirements.
In other words, if you have not been PGI Certified before and have been shooting
fireworks for a number of years, you may use prior displays as proof of your
experience, provided you can document these and they were legal (permitted) 1.3G
Displays.
If you are new to Pyrotechnics, you should document your experience as you gain
it. There is no time limit on how long between your coursework (PGI Class) and
when you apply initially for PGI Display Operator Certification. If you are only
shooting only one show per year, this means that so long as on one of the first
five shows you do you are either the Lead or the Co-Lead Shooter, in five years,
you may apply for your (initial) Certification.
To reduce the time required, most clubs and/or display companies in your area
are happy to have you work displays with them to gain experience. Check the
‘Directory’ pages on this site (links on the left side of this page) for a
nationwide listing of Clubs, Display Operators and Distributors who will be able
to help you find shows to work on in your area.
Once all this information is, documented:
Your test score from the class (we will have this recorded already), the
documentation of your display experience on our application form, with
supporting documentation as needed, and a $10 processing fee is sent to the PGI
at the address shown on the current form. You will then be designated as a PGI
Certified Display Operator and are issued a certificate and wallet
identification card.
I HAVE BEEN PGI CERTIFIED PREVIOUSLY – NOW WHAT?
Your PGI Display Operator Certification states that you are trained and have the
experience needed to perform 1.3G Outdoor Displays in a safe and competent
manner.
It lets potential clients, employers and permit granting authorities know that
you ‘know your stuff’.
As with many certifications, PGI DOC certification must be renewed every three
years.
The requirements for renewal of your PGI DOC are:
1: You must have worked on five 1.3G Displays within the three year period
your PGI DOC was in force, as a lead shooter/operator.
2: You must document a total of 8 hours of training within the three year
period your PGI DOC was in force.
This Continuing Education Training may be on ANY Pyrotechnics Safety Related
Subject.
Subjects may include but are not limited to:
• Fireworks Display Training from a Distributor or Display Company.
• HazMat or Explosive/Bomb Squad Training
• D.O.T HazMat Transportation Regulatory Update Classes.
• Work Related Explosives Handling Training.
• Magazine (Bunker) Management or Safety Procedure Training
3: So long as this training is “Fireworks Safety Related”, you may add
together as many shorter courses as it takes to add up to 8 Full Hours or the
PGI DOC Course taken again, counts as a full 8 hours of credit.
If unsure whether your particular type of Continuing Education meets the
requirements, please contact us with the details of it at:
training@pgi.org and we will make a
determination based upon your specific circumstances.
Please address any questions or comments to:
training@pgi.org
Find Upcoming PGI Certified Shooter Classes in Your
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Certified Trainer Program
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PGI Certified Operator Renewal
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