Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium: Challenges for the Fire Service
Fire departments worldwide are experiencing an increase of fire incidents involving lithium-ion battery-powered devices. Due to the unique properties of this relatively new technology, failure in a single cell can lead to propagation of thermal runaway, fatal fires, and gas explosions.
The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department (DCFEMS) and UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) are co-hosting this symposium for fire service members interested in learning more about lithium-ion battery risks during fire incidents.
Featured speakers include members of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and other departments, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and MetroChiefs as well as FSRI and other UL Research Institutes researchers.
Combining fire safety research and fire service operations, this event will share knowledge to help the fire service understand lithium-ion battery technology, the hazards these batteries pose during fire incidents, and how the fire service can mitigate risks caused by battery failure.
Due to high demand, we have added a livestream option to be able to share this information with a larger audience. Register for the livestream to this event to hear firsthand from researchers and practitioners. The link to the livestream will be sent out before the event.
This is a free event.
Agenda (All times are EDT)
7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. | Check-in
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Welcome
Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr., D.C. Fire and EMS
Chief Corey A. Smedley, Alexandria Fire-EMS
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Introduction: Lithium-ion Battery Challenges
Steve Kerber, PhD, Vice President & Executive Director, FSRI
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage System Explosion in Arizona
Hunter Clare, Captain, Peoria Fire-Medical Department
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Break
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Electric Vehicle Fire Hazards
Dr. Thomas Barth, PhD, Chief, Special Investigations Branch at National Transportation Safety Board
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Fundamentals of Lithium-ion Battery Fires
Adam Barowy, Research Engineer, FSRI
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | e-Mobility Firefighting Best Practices
Lt. John Cassidy, Haz-mat Company 1, FDNY
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Electric Vehicle Firefighting Considerations
Captain Evan Balcombe, FDNY
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Energy Storage System Firefighting Best Practices
Sean DeCrane, Director, Fire Fighter Health and Safety Operational Services, International Association of Fire Fighters
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Panel Discussion
Judy Jeevarajan, PhD, Vice President, Research, Electrochemical Safety Research Institute
Chief Otto Drozd, Executive Secretary, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
Chief Michael O'Brian, Board Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
Hunter Clare, Captain, Peoria Fire-Medical Department
Sean DeCrane, Director, Fire Fighter Health and Safety Operational Services, International Association of Fire Fighters