Ep 21. Fireworks Technician

Dirty Jobs is a popular television series that aired from 2005 to 2012. The show follows host Mike Rowe as he travels around the country to perform some of the most unappealing jobs imaginable. From cleaning animal carcasses to working in sewers, Rowe does it all. In season 5, episode 21, titled "Fireworks Technician," Rowe visits Pyrotecnico, a company that designs and sets off large-scale fireworks displays.

As the episode begins, Rowe arrives at the Pyrotecnico headquarters and meets with the company's CEO, Stephen Vitale. Vitale explains that Pyrotecnico is responsible for putting on over 800 fireworks displays each year, including some of the biggest shows in the country like the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York City. Rowe is excited to see how it all works and gets ready to start his first day on the job.

Rowe's first assignment is to help build a fireworks display for a local fair. He begins by attaching thousands of firecrackers to a wooden board using a special tape. This process is called "fanning" and it creates a wall of firecrackers that explode in rapid succession. Rowe admits that the work is tedious and time-consuming, but he's impressed with the level of precision and attention to detail required for the job.

The next day, Rowe heads out to a remote location to help set up a fireworks display for a private party. Vitale explains that the company has to obtain permits and meet strict safety regulations for every show they put on. Rowe helps set up the firing table, which controls the timing and sequence of the fireworks. He also helps load the pyrotechnics into the mortars, which are large tubes that launch the fireworks into the sky.

As the day goes on, Rowe watches as the Pyrotecnico team checks and double-checks every aspect of the display. They test the wiring connections and make sure the mortars are positioned correctly. When everything is ready, Vitale gives the signal to start the show and the night sky is filled with explosions of color and light. Rowe is thrilled to be a part of it all and admits that the job is much more than he ever imagined.

The final part of the episode takes place back at the Pyrotecnico headquarters, where Rowe gets an up-close look at some of the company's biggest and most innovative fireworks designs. Vitale shows him a massive "cake" firework that can launch over 1,000 shots into the sky and a specially designed mortar that can fire a shell nearly a mile into the air. Rowe even gets to help test the shells by setting off a few of his own.

Overall, "Fireworks Technician" is a fascinating and entertaining episode of Dirty Jobs. It highlights the hard work and dedication required to put on a fireworks display and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting industries in the world. Mike Rowe is as charming and affable as ever and viewers will enjoy seeing him get his hands dirty once again.