Flow Arts Fire Safety Textbook

This is the alpha release of the Textbook of Flow Arts Fire Safety. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for the safer use of live fire as a performance medium within the context of the Flow Arts. Its expected audience includes teachers of Flow Arts Fire Safety, Flow Arts and professional fire safety personnel and performers of the Flow Arts. As is fitting for an “alpha” release, there are expected to be a small number of grammatical errors and formatting inconsistencies, which will be resolved in future editions of this text.

This is the alpha release of the Textbook of Flow Arts Fire Safety. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for the safer use of live fire as a performance medium within the context of the Flow Arts. Its expected audience includes teachers of Flow Arts Fire Safety, Flow Arts and professional fire safety personnel and performers of the Flow Arts. As is fitting for an “alpha” release, there are expected to be a small number of grammatical errors and formatting inconsistencies, which will be resolved in future editions of this text.

Howard Chen, MD is a well known flow artist, who has been teaching and performing for over 10 years in the fields of Flow and Fire. Originally starting as a performer for Cirque de Flambe in Seattle, Howard eventually emigrated to Reno, NV and began performing with it’s premiere fire performance troupe, Controlled Burn, rising to the position of Executive Director of their non-profit, 501c3 educational arm. Along the way, he’s acted as the Shin of Axiom Elements, LLC, and the Helmsman of Oakland’s Vulcan Crew, both at the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, NV. He has a special interest in fire weapons, and teaches classes on the martial use of fire weapons and fire combat. Given his medical background, it’s no surprise that Howard has unearthed a passion for creating safe, sustainable environments for fire performance over the last several years. As Safety Director for the Flow Arts Institute, he provides medical, fire, and fuel safety support for the flow festivals. In addition, he has designed some of the industry standard fuel depots and fuel spin-off areas, which maximize safety and fuel reclamation, and minimize environmental impact. Finally, he teaches Fire and Fuel safety courses at major fire festivals across the country. Howard’s latest project with the Flow Arts Institute is the creation of a comprehensive Fire and Fuel safety video series, which touches on the basic science of fire and fuel safety, and delves deeply into the previously poorly documented topics of Fire Performer Safety, and Fire Safety Personnel Training. Look for in-person, comprehensive Fire and Fuel Safety courses run by Howard and his crew at a Fire and Flow festival near you!