Participant
Code of Conduct

Prohibited Items

Please do NOT bring the following items to FireDrums:

  • No alcohol
  • No illegal drugs or substances
  • No animals
  • No individual campfires
  • No fireworks
  • No firearms or other weapons (you will be ejected from FireDrums) Exceptions are martial arts tools used for performance purposes only.
  • No vehicles over 20 feet in length (without RV pass)

FireDrums Fire Safety

You are responsible for your own safety no matter what you are doing. It is the performer’s responsibility to obtain a Fire Watch/Fire Safety. Do not spin fire without speaking with a Fire Safety prior to spinning.

No smoking or open flames in the Fuel Depot or Fuel Storage areas.

Only safety someone or something if you feel comfortable with the equipment, the performer/operator, your safety skills, and the situation.

The Fire Safeties have the final call in all things on the field. Even if you do not agree, please do as they ask and talk to them afterwards so that all may learn from the experience.

Before you do anything on fire, it is highly recommended that you attend the nightly Fire Safety Orientation, held at the Fuel Depot nightly at 5:30PM.

Wear only fire-appropriate clothing, we recommend natural fibers, such as tightly woven cottons, silks, leathers, hemps, or aramid fibers. Additionally be aware of any cosmetic or hair product that may be flammable.

Fire Drums is an Alcohol and Drug Free event. If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, for the safety of yourself and others do not use fire or agree to safety someone else.

Bring ALL performance / practice fuel to the designated Fuel Dump area on arrival to the event and place into the metal storage containers. You may only hold onto your personal fuel used for Fire Breathing. No renegade dip stations (they will be confiscated!) Please keep the Fueling Station and Fuel Spin Off area clear and free of personal equipment.

Do not alter or use another performers personal fuel mixture without express consent. Public dip cans for lamp oil, white gas, and 50/50 will be available and managed at the Fuel Depot for night time fire spinning.

Consult with the fuel depot manager before using any unusual fuel, especially fuels with colorants. You are expected to be knowledgeable about your unusual fuels, and we ask that you provide a MSDS. Fuel depot managers have the final say in use of fuel.

Recommended fuels are white gas (Coleman or Crown brand) and lamp oil (Lamplighter farms). We do not allow the use of Methanol, Pump Gas (Petrol), or Diesel at Fire Drums for health and safety reasons. Isopropyl and denatured alcohols, as well as other specialty fuels are allowed, but must be clearly marked and stored in safe and appropriate containers.

Use the Fuel Spin Off Structure before lighting up. NO GROUND CIRCLES/LINES/DOTS or fire directly on the field. We have promised to keep the site in the same condition as before we arrived. (Please, leave no trace.)

If you are asked to wait on fueling at the fuel depot, please wait, this is how the Fuel Depot Organizer and Fire Safety Organizer regulates the number of people in the fire circle.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask the fire safeties on duty, they are there to help teach safety and manage the field. If you have a question, ask them; if they ask you to do something, please listen, whether you are spinning or safetying.

If you do anything with fire, please be prepared to safety for at least 30 minutes for every night that you’re performing / utilizing fire.

Minors must be cleared with the Fire Safety Organizer, and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian that approves of, and takes responsibility for the minor’s actions at all times. More info regarding minors is available in the general information page of the Fire Drums website.

A Word of Welcome to Beginners

If you have never burned before, or have only lit up a few times, the first hour or so of spinning in either fire circle is a good time to light up as you will have more free space on the field. You are absolutely welcome to light up any time during the evenings provided you adhere to safety guidelines and have secured a fire safety to watch you.

If you have questions about fuel safety and fueling your equipment at Fire Drums, please attend a Fire Safety Meeting at the Fuel Depot (where you dip your equipment in fuel before entering the fire field) at approximately 5:30pm one evening during Fire Drums.

How to Enter the Fire Spinning Field with Standard Equipment (poi, staff, swords, hoop, torches, fans, and other standard-size flames)

  1. Check the field for performance space. Is there enough room for you and your tool/prop to spin?
  2. Find a Fire Safety to watch you. Ask someone standing around the field who is holding a fire suppression cloth (like duvetyne or a wet towel) to safety you (a great way to make new friends) or ask someone already safetying if they would be willing to watch you as well. If you’re asking an existing safety, be sure they aren’t already watching too many people (two or three) and ask them without being a distraction. Let your safety know what kind of equipment you’ll be spinning, and how much experience you have, and tell them if you’ll be doing any moves that you’re worried about lighting yourself on fire with.
  3. If you will be using non-standard equipment, performing unusual tricks, or fire breathing, find a safety who has the knowledge and experience to provide skilled safetying for you. Communicate your performance intentions before lighting up.
  4. Go check and fuel your equipment at the Fuel Depot. Then, check in again with your safety before lighting up.
  5. Walk to where you’ll be spinning. Do not walk between safeties and those they are watching. Do not walk close to lit spinners. Consider walking around the insider perimeter of the fire spinning area (in front of the audience) to your spot.
  6. Get a head nod from your safety, light your tools/props, and have fun! When done, leave the field immediately without getting in the way of other safeties or spinners, keeping in mind that you’re still surrounded by lit equipment.
  7. Consider relieving your safety or offering to safety someone else afterwards.

Your Responsibilities as a Fire Safety

  • Don’t be afraid to decline safetying if you are uncomfortable or inexperienced with the tool or style of the spinner.
  • Don’t be afraid to speak up if you see unsafe practices anywhere on the field.
  • Remain sober before and during any time period when you may be safetying someone.
  • Acknowledge your spinner and establish clear communication between the both of you.
  • Keep your fire suppression cloth in your hands during a performer’s entire spin. Stay standing or crouched, ready to act. A single second can make a lot of difference to someone on fire.
  • Watch your spinner’s body and warn them of unintentional fire. If you do see a fresh, possible unintentional fire call out their name (if known) and the body part that it is on (.ie “Back”). Be loud. Make sure your spinner is aware that you need to extinguish a flame on their body, and have them stop spinning before rushing in or you could be accidentally hurt by the performer’s lit equipment.