The BPA training course offered by 1st Galaxy Fireworks is superb value for money. The course lasts a whole day with refreshments included. The course is mainly theory but does come with a live demonstration on how different types of fuses burn etc. I have to say that the training room is first class and has been specifically designed to hold BPA training courses and exams.

The training is extremely informative and engrossing. It is quite evident that Lee Smith the boss of 1st Galaxy and the training coordinator have put a lot of time and effort into the course. Their wealth of knowledge is truly evident throughout the course.

As part of the course you get an A4 binder containing all the notes that you could possibly need to get you through both BPA Level 1 and Level 2 including a section to keep details of the live training you have completed.

Of course not everyone doing the course actually wants to sit the exams and they come along purely to increase their knowledge. To sit the BPA exams you have to fire a set number of shows and have received live training. 1st Galaxy kindly gave me the opportunity to meet these requirements.

1st Galaxy has a core team of pro firers they use to train people going through the BPA training plan. So far I have had the pleasure of working with four very different firers. I have found this invaluable as each person I have fired with has shown me a different method of fusing.

I have also had the opportunity to fire very different shows in some spectacular locations. I have had the pleasure of being involved in small hand fired displays, theatrical displays firing electrically to set queues and large electrically fired display rather like the one in the 1st Galaxy feature. Even the extreme weather conditions I have come across have not put me off.

What started out as satisfying my curiosity is quickly turning into a way of life. I think that’s a testament to how good the 1st Galaxy team are in welcoming new people to the world of Pyro. I actually already feel like one of the team.

If you are wanting to do the BPA courses and training I cannot think of anyone better to train with than 1st Galaxy - UKFR member David Poyton.