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Public Display Fireworks Operator Guidelines <br />June 2011 Page 4 <br />MINNESOTA STATE FIRE MARSHAL <br />PUBLIC DISPLAY FIREWORKS OPERATOR GUIDELINES <br />Revised 06/11 <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Minnesota state law requires that public fireworks displays be conducted only when supervised by a <br />pyrotechnic operator (supervising operator) certified by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. The purpose of <br />these guidelines is to familiarize municipal and county officials, organizations wishing to sponsor a fireworks <br />display, and pyrotechnic operators with state permit and operator certification requirements. The guidelines <br />also describe the responsibilities of the sponsoring organization and the supervising operator, and outlines the <br />minimum fire and life safety requirements applicable to fireworks displays. <br /> <br />The information contained in this guideline is based on the provisions of Minn. Stat. § 624.20 - 624.25, the <br />2007 Minnesota State Fire Code, and National Fire Protection Association Standards 1123 (2006 edition) and <br />1126 (2006 edition). <br /> <br />A copy of Minnesota Statutes § 624.20 - 624.25 is included as part of these guidelines. The 2007 Minnesota <br />State Fire Code is available from the Minnesota State Bookstore at (651) 297-3000. National Fire Protection <br />Association (NFPA) standards are available from the NFPA at 1-800-344-3555. <br /> <br />Persons with questions relating to fireworks permit or certification requirements should contact the Minnesota <br />State Fire Marshal Division by phone at 651-201-7200, or by mail at: <br /> <br />Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division <br />Fireworks Operator Certification Program <br />444 Cedar Street, Suite 145 <br />St. Paul, MN 55101-5145 <br /> <br />Questions may also be submitted by email to firecode@state.mn.us. Fireworks information is posted on the <br />State Fire Marshal Division Web site at www.fire.state.mn.us . <br /> <br />PART A: PERMITS <br /> <br />Fireworks displays may be sponsored by a city, fair association, amusement park or other public or private <br />organization only after obtaining a permit prior to conducting a display. Permits are issued to the display <br />sponsor. <br /> <br />State law prohibits private individuals, including a certified fireworks operator acting as an individual, from <br />sponsoring fireworks displays however, a fireworks display company may sponsor displays for private <br />parties. <br /> <br />All fireworks displays must be conducted under the direct supervision of a public display fireworks operator <br />certified by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. Fire departments are not exempt from this requirement. <br /> <br />Exception <br />Cities and counties are allowed, but not required, to exempt displays involving the use of <br />smoke pots, flash pots and theatrical flash powder for ceremonial, theatrical and musical <br />productions from the requirement for a permit. However, such displays are required to be