A safety is there to watch the performer — not the show.
A fire safety or spotter is not a passive observer. Their job is to actively watch the performer and respond to hazards.
Core responsibilities
- Stay attentive to the performer.
- Know the performance area and audience boundary.
- Recognise when intervention is needed.
- Know how to extinguish the props being used.
- Have suitable safety equipment ready.
- Watch for tangles, dropped props, clothing ignition and audience intrusion.
- Understand the emergency plan.
Before you safety
Confirm who you are watching, what prop they are using, where they may move, where the fuel area is, where the audience boundary is, where extinguishing equipment is, how to communicate with the performer, when to step in, and who is leading emergency response.
While safetying
Watch the performer, not the show. Stay alert, keep equipment ready, scan for clothing, hair, wick and crowd hazards, communicate clearly, and act early if something is unsafe.
A safety should be close enough to respond quickly, but not so close that they interfere with the performer's movement.
When to intervene
A safety may need to warn the performer, extinguish a prop, help untangle a prop, stop an unsafe light-up, move people back from the boundary, respond if clothing or nearby objects catch fire, call for help, or direct the performer to stop.
Larger performances
Larger or more complex performances may require additional safeties or dedicated crowd-control support. Discuss role counts and boundaries with the fire lead or organiser before the performance begins.
Emergency
If someone is seriously injured, if clothing is on fire and cannot be controlled quickly, or if there is any doubt about severity, call **000**.