The Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes), is pleased to announce that the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded us a $1.4 million Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant for public fire safety education efforts.   

The FP&S Grants, part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program, are designed to enhance safety for both the public and firefighters by reducing injuries and fatalities in high-risk populations.

Although interest in lithium-ion battery safety continues to grow, awareness of the risks associated with devices powered by such batteries remains low. With this federal grant, we will:

• Expand firefighter training: Enhance firefighters' understanding of lithium-ion battery fire dynamics to enable them to better educate communities and to implement effective fire response strategies.
• Develop educational resources: Create high-quality educational materials to strengthen lithium-ion battery safety programs.
• Increase public awareness: Raise public awareness of lithium-ion batteries and their associated risks.
• Promote fire safety best practices: Encourage fire safety best practices to prevent lithium-ion battery fires, ultimately reducing incidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Through tactics such as translating battery safety resources into other languages and creating a new online platform for customizing educational materials, we aim to protect lives and property by raising awareness of lithium-ion battery risks.

"We are honored to receive this grant from FEMA. This award not only affirms our work in fire prevention and safety but also provides us with the resources to make a more significant impact on the safety of communities across the nation. By investing in firefighter education and public awareness, we can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires, protect property, and save lives." 

- Steve Kerber, Vice President and Executive Director, FSRI

FSRI is grateful for the opportunity to expand the reach of these life-saving messages and further our mission through public education.