I've certainly had enough run-ins with authority to know that threatening and coercive behavior will get you absolutely no where. Is california the only state with this law on the books? How do I find out? Thanks for the power point.

Realizing that tact is no one my strongpoints...here is the series of emails if you feel like a good long read. Where did I go wrong? Is there anything I could have done differently? My idea on sending them the video was to let them see all we did so if there was a problem with any of it we would know beforehand. Should I have sent one that included just the basics instead of one that had the buckets of death, fire roller skates and stilt walking? Hmmmm.

You will have to read the emails from the bottom up if you be so inclined.

Mr.Crabtree,



I’m sorry, but based on safety concerns for both the citizens and vendors attending the event, the Fire Marshal will not be issuing a permit for your event. Based on this borderline coercive e-mail we have received from you, it would be best that any further discussion can be done through our city attorneys office. The phone number is (757) 664-4529.



Thank you,

Wayne R.Wallace

Norfolk Fire Inspector




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniel Crabtree [mailto:crabtreeto@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 1:12 PM
To: Wallace, Wayne
Subject: RE: Fire Theatre and permits



Inspector Wallace:
I thought I would make one last attempt at obtaining the fire permit for the Unifire Theatre performance that was scheduled for the Bayou Boogaloo in Norfolk . We have expressed a desire to work with the Fire Marshall, have you dictate what we can and cannot do at the show, and have sent you everything that you asked for, including the name and number of our fire captain who regularly gives us permits and knows about our reputation for safety. I wanted to also state that we would be willing to pay an off duty fire Marshall to be at the shows and ensure that we are following all the safety standards. If there is anything else we could do to get this permit please let us know. The fire arts have been enjoyed by so many throughout the world and through the centuries, it seems a shame to deny the citizens of Norfolk this very unique art form.

I also wanted to inform you that because many of our fans from VA. have been told through our websites and newsletters that we would be performing and because they have spread the word to others; if I don't hear back from you I will be calling the local paper and news organizations so they can help us spread the word that we will not be doing the show and that it was not the fault of Unifire Theatre or Norfolk FestEvents. Thanks once more for your consideration and time in this important matter. Can you please forward these emails to the Fire Marshall.

Daniel Crabtree
Booking manager
Unifire Theatre
828-335-3567
www.unifiredance.com


"Wallace, Wayne " <wayne.wallace@norfolk.gov> wrote:

Mr. Crabtree,



Based on the International Fire Code 2003 and past interpretations from our city attorney, a permit is required for your type of event. It is up to the local Fire Marshal if such a permit would be issued. At this time, the Fire Marshal does not feel comfortable with issuing this permit because of concerns for citizen and vendor safety. If you should have additional questions, please contact me.



Wayne R.Wallace

Norfolk Fire Inspector




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniel Crabtree [mailto:crabtreeto@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 2:13 PM
To: Wallace, Wayne
Subject: RE: Fire Theatre and permits



Inspector Wallace,
I am very disappointed to hear this. We were looking forward to performing for your event and had made plans and spent a lot of time preparing and working toward this event. Some of your citizens have even emailed us about the show. This would be the first permit we have been denied in 9 plus years of performance. We even were granted a permit to perform in the Asheville Civic Center amid 1000 people just two weeks ago. I am afraid that the video that I sent did not reflect all the safety measures that we take to ensure that there are no accidents. What could we do on our end to be granted this permit? We would not have to use all of the tools you saw in the video. We could use batons, staffs and poi with fire eating. We could cordon off a much larger area. I have been in contact with Norfolk FestEvents and we are hoping that something could be worked out here. Please let us know what we can do. We are more than willing to comply with any recommendations you have. We can cut out any part of the show that you deem unsafe. We are even willing to come a day early and do a run through, if necessary, and let you direct what we can and cannot do. Please let us know whatever we can do to be granted this permit. Hopefully there is something that Unifire and The Norfolk Fire Department can cooperatively construct so that you feel your citizens are safe. We perform at large festivals throughout the Southeast including LEAF (www.theleaf.com), Next to Last Fest in Athens, Castle Carnivale (www.castlemcculloch.com), Floydfest in Va., AmJam at deerfields, Asheville Music Jamboree, One World Festival, etc. All of these venues will speak highly of our show and safety record as well as the Asheville Fire Dept. Surely we can work something out that would make us all happy.

Thank you for your time in this important matter.

Daniel Crabtree
Unifire Theatre
828-335-3567

"Wallace, Wayne " <wayne.wallace@norfolk.gov> wrote:

Mr.Crabtree,



After reviewing your video and the additional information you had sent, the Norfolk Fire Marshals Office has decided that a permit for your performance can not be issued. The location for the Bayou Bogaloo, Town Point Park , is a relatively small area that attracts large numbers of people. We feel that your type of performance can add an unnecessary risk to the general public. If you should have any questions, please let me know.



Thank you,

Wayne R.Wallace

Norfolk Fire Inspector




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniel Crabtree [mailto:crabtreeto@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:47 AM
To: Wallace, Wayne
Subject: RE: Fire Theatre and permits



Captain Wallace, Thank you for responding with the guidelines on obtaining the fire permit. Here are some of the answers I can provide. Is sending this information through email sufficeint or would you like me to mail you copies?

We only use two types of fuel. Coleman brand white gas and Lamplighter Farms brand 99% pure parrafin lamp oil. The white gas is used on most tools and the lamp oil is used fr fire breathing and hula hoops. (In the case of hula hoops, we actually use a mix of lamp oil and coleman. 1 Gallon of coleman and a bottle of lamp oil should be sufficient for each show.

We will use 4 performers with no more than two lit and on stage at any given time. One spotter with fire cloth will be used. With only two performers on stage, one spotter is within the guidelines of safety set per the National Organization of Fire Performers. Crowd Control will be provided by Festevents as well as any nessesary barrier to maintain the 20 x 20 ft. performance area.

I am not sure of the location but will have Fest-events send you a map telling where the performance area is as well as the $50 permit fee.

I have requested an insurance certificate for Fest-events and will forward you a copy soon as well as the MSDS sheets for the fuel types.

All of our performers and spotters are at least 21 years of age. Unifire Theatre does not endorse, hire, or conduct workshops for those under the age of 21.

We would be happy to have you conduct an on-site inspection of the performance area and we will have all the fire extinguishers on site. We are always looking for ways to improve on safety and are open to any ideas you may have to make our shows even safer. As far as being able to see a full demonstration of our performance, this is a request that we have not been asked to do before this event. As we are driving from Asheville on Friday and the hotel has been arranged for Friday, and Friday night is the first show it may be difficult to arrange for a full demonstration prior to the show on Friday due to time constraints and the added fatigue tis will cause our performers. What if we sent a video of one of our performances and talked you through the entire shows (4 different ones) prior to our performance? Would this be sufficient?

A few questions...
1. In some of performances we use AB flash powder that ignites when touched by a torch. Is this okay? The powder comes from a magic supplier and is the type that is even safe to use indoors.

2. Other than sending you a copy of the MSDS sheets and the certificate of insurance, is there anything else I need to do to apply for the permit?

Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters and continuing to cooperate with Unifire Theatre. Your time is greatly appreciated. I will forward a copy of our conversations to Fest Events.

J. Daniel Crabtree
Unifire Theatre
271 Cowan Cove Rd.
Asheville , NC 28806
www.unifiredance.com
828-335-3567



"Wallace, Wayne " <wayne.wallace@norfolk.gov> wrote:

Mr.Crabtree,



Looking through the information you sent me and looking at NFPA 160, I will need the following:



A plan to include: Amount of fuel and type. No more fuel than what will be needed for 1 days performance will be allowed on site

No. of people involved – performers/ spotters, etc.

Location in Town Point Park

Material Safety Data Sheets for fuel

4 Fire Extinguishers on site – 2 Water and 2 10 BC type

All operators are required to be at least 21 y.o.

A 20 X 20ft. performance area will be the minimum size required



We will need a copy of your insurance certificate listing City of Norfolk and Festevents as additional insured.

We will need to conduct a site inspection and see a full demonstration of your performance.





The permit fee is $50.00. Cash or check made out to the City of Norfolk




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Daniel Crabtree [mailto:crabtreeto@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 6:16 PM
To: Wallace, Wayne
Subject: Fire Theatre and permits



Dear Inspector Wallace,
Thank you for taking the time to discuss fire permits with me regarding the show Unifire Theatre has been hired to perform at Norfolk 's Bayou Bogaloo on June 20th-22nd. Unifire Theatre has been performing shows for ten years (operating under the name Unifire Theatre for the last three) without an accident of any kind. We have a very high commitment to safety and ensure that our performers are highly trained in this area. We even conduct safety workshops for other performers and fire safety programs. We have a good working relationship with the Asheville (the city where we are based) Fire Department and Captain Kelley who works with AFD.

To answer a few of your questions. All of the performers clothing is flame retardant and usually made of leather, cotton, or wool. We employ safeties and ensure that the venue provides crowd control. We generally require a 20x20 ft. area to perform in but can comply with what ever you feel is needed. Most of our tools are wicked with kevlar fastened on by a least two screws. Each tool is inspected prior to our performance. Our tools are fueled with either white gas (coleman brand camping fuel) or lamp oil (lamplighter farms brand 99% pure parifin). Our fueling station that is kept well away from the performance area and guarded, consist of sealable paint cans securely fastened in a sealable fire proof container and marked with no smoking signs and each fuel clearly labeled. We will not walk around performing but designate that we must have an area cordoned off. Any walk around performing we do is without fire (such as stilt walking juggling etc.) Our insurance is provided by clowns of the U.S. I will email you our policy number and the amount of liability. (another member of the troupe handles the insurance and I will get this information from them). Our largest flame is from fire breathing, one of the more dramatic parts of the show and the flames will reach 6-9 feet high. Our fire breather has been trained by one of the best in the world and has been performing without incident for 6 years. If there are any other questions, please let me know and we will be happy to address them.

Is a permit required for this venue and if so are there any fees involved? How do we go about applying for the permit? We like to take care of all these matters ahead of time so we can focus on our performance during the show. We have performed at large festivals throughout the southeast and our safety rating is impeccable.

Unfortunately there are no National Regulations regarding fire performance but many fire departments in the US use the National Association of American Fire Artist (NAFAA) as a guideline or if they have questions. I have attached a pdf file containing these regulations for your perusal.

Thank you for your time in helping us ensure a wonderful and safe performance for the good people of Norfolk by Unifire Theatre.

J. Daniel Crabtree
www.unifiredance.com
828-335-3567
271 Cowan Cove Rd.
Asheville , NC 28806