TENNESSEE FIREWORKS ASSOCIATION

ABOUT US

    The Tennessee Fireworks Association is a member driven association organized in 2007 as a 501(c)6 non profit corporation, registered in the state of Tennessee,  funded by tax deductible membership dues and sponsor contributed funds, dedicated to the advancement of fireworks use and safety in the state of Tennessee.

    All fireworks retailers, seasonal retailers, display providers, distributors, manufacturers, operators, contractors, hobbyists, municipalities and schools are invited to be members of the Tennessee Fireworks Association.

    To learn more about our organization please peruse the information on our web site including the sections on Operations, Organization, Charter and Bylaws.  We welcome input from any fireworks enthusiasts, please read our non-discrimination statement below.

"The Tennessee Fireworks Association (TFA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion,  genetic information, political beliefs, or reprisal."  We are prejudice toward fireworks, their beauty, fascinations, pure enjoyment, loud reports and high bursting shells.

The following article is from FIREWORKS BUSINESS, February 2009 issue

FB: What is the Tennessee Fireworks Association (TFA) about? What are the goals/aims of the association?

EC: The TFA is a statewide non-profit member driven association promoting fireworks for both 1.3g and 1.4g vendors, municipal and educational users and individual hobbyist. Our goal is to enhance the safe use and enjoyment of fireworks.

FB: Why was the Association formed?

EC: Three years ago some members of the Tennessee State General Assembly, while talking with several fireworks vendors about changes in the Tennessee Code Annotated Fireworks Laws, let it be known they were tired of multiple constituents constantly bringing small changes and requests for the use and sale of fireworks in closed areas of the state. They said in effect, “If you want effective action by representatives you need to establish an association to develop a consensus to bring to us rather than coming one a time.” They further said, “If an organization is not formed we will draft legislation to our liking rather than that of the industry.” Several of us in the industry recognized this as a mandate to organize.

FB: Can anyone in the fireworks industry join?

EC: All fireworks retailers, seasonal retailers, display providers, distributors, manufacturers, operators, contractors, hobbyists, municipalities and schools are invited to be members of the Tennessee Fireworks Association. Does someone have to be a professional in the trade? No. Or can they just be an enthusiast/hobbyist? Yes, we already have some members who are hobbyist.

FB: How often do you meet and where?

EC: Our bylaws require one Annual Meeting a year. We have entered into an agreement with Lipscomb University in Nashville, a central location in the state, to use meeting facilities on their campus and we held the 2009 Annual Meeting there on January 17. The bylaws also provide for regional meetings to be held in other cities as scheduled by the Board of Directors; specifically named are Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville.

FB: What are the advantages of joining the TFA?

EC: Some of the many membership advantages are: more effective representation of the fireworks industry to government and consumer, early notice of projected changes in the state fireworks laws, tracking new laws as they are filed, stronger media promotion of safe and legal use of all types of fireworks and joint defense against media misinformation, to serve as a clearing house for fireworks information and technical exchange, encourage and provide adequate training for professionals, and to advocate for fireworks as a year around art form.

FB: How much are membership dues and what does that cover (e.g., insurance, newsletters, lobbying efforts, etc.)

EC: The Tennessee Fireworks Association is principally supported by membership dues. Full members must be at least 18 years of age, known to be law abiding responsible citizens to the membership of the TFA. Memberships are not transferable. Membership Classes and annual dues are:

In order to provide other necessary operational funds of the Association, including PAC funds for legislative purposes, any individual, foundation, organization, manufacturer, distributor, or professional display company, within or without the state of Tennessee, who wishes to support the ideals and purposes of the Tennessee Fireworks Association may become a Sponsor Member of the Association through a gift as designated below. Each gift category has been given a name relating to fireworks and each category automatically provides the donor with a number of individual memberships in the Association. These memberships may be in lieu of other classes of memberships and provide all the amenities available to other classes of membership; but sponsoring memberships also may be in addition to other classes of membership at the discretion of the donor. ã

FB: The Association is relatively new; established only two years ago. What has the Association accomplished in that time?

EC: There have been three principal accomplishments in our two years of existence. (1) A close working relationship with the Tennessee General Assembly has been established to the extent that the Association has been asked to participate in any revamping of the current Fireworks Code, bringing its language up to date, and to assist in the current education requirements of the code. (2) Three members of the Association have been appointed to sit on the code mandated Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Fireworks Advisory Council: these members are Lansden Hill, Pyro Shows, Inc., chairman of the council; Ernest Clevenger, Mid America Distributors, Inc., president of TFA and vice chairman of the council; and Randy Bast, High Tech Special Effects, Inc., vendor member of the council. The Fireworks Advisory Council reviews all state fireworks laws, current and proposed, as they may affect the State Fire Marshal’s Office. (3) All licensed pyrotechnicians must renew their certification every two years, a part of which requires a minimum of six hours of continuing education in their licensed field: Outdoor Display, or 1.3g use; Proximate, or indoor and/or close use fireworks; and Flame Effect. At the present time the state does not provide the training required for licensing nor the continuing education opportunities. The Fire Marshal’s office has asked the TFA to assume the responsibility to provide continuing education classes. The Association has entered into a joint arrangement with Lipscomb University’s College of Business to provide the facilities, and some faculty, for the continuing education training to meet state requirements and provide certification.

At the Annual Meeting the TFA elected the following officers: President, Ernest Clevenger; V. Pres. Roger Loyd; Secretary, Lisa Spradling; and Treasurer, Randy Bast. Elected to the Board of Directors were: Kevin Bailey of Meramec Specialty Co., Robin Horner of Granny’s Fireworks, Les Price of Atomic Fireworks, Aaron Blankenship of Ole South Patriotic, Jake Loyd of Mid America Distributors, Inc.  

Info: clevengerea@comcast.net            

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