The Detroit Fire Department will host a free workshop focused on lithium-ion battery safety for first responders on October 9, 2024, at Newlab at Michigan Central.
The event is open to the first 150 responders who register.
The workshop, held in conjunction with The Battery Show and EVT Expo, will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As reported by the Detroit Fire Department, this comprehensive, daylong event is designed for fire department personnel, emergency management teams, and hazardous materials teams from across the United States and Canada.
The workshop will feature technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations addressing the challenges of handling and storing lithium-ion batteries, which have been identified as a potential safety risk in fire suppression.
John Waters, an expert in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, and Ron Butler, CEO of Energy Safety Storage Products International, will share their expertise on lithium-ion battery safety.
In the morning session, Waters and Butler will provide insights into managing lithium-ion battery thermal events.
Waters is known for his role in designing the first mass-produced EV battery, while Butler brings experience from his two decades as a Detroit firefighter.
In the afternoon, participants will engage in practical demonstrations led by the Detroit Fire Department, with a focus on safe storage, handling, and fire suppression techniques.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share personal experiences and feedback on best practices.
Although fires involving lithium-ion batteries are rare, when they do occur, they pose unique challenges to first responders.
Fire Marshal Donald Thomas of the Detroit Fire Department emphasized the need for current information on these batteries.
He noted that as electric vehicles gain popularity, it is critical for first responders to understand how to handle such incidents.
Thomas will deliver the welcome remarks at the workshop, followed by a series of presentations by Butler and Waters, who will discuss high-voltage systems and fire response protocols.
The event aims to ensure first responders are equipped with the latest knowledge on dealing with lithium-ion battery fires.
The workshop will take place at Newlab at Michigan Central in Detroit, Michigan, and will be held on October 9, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event is being organized in conjunction with The Battery Show and EVT Expo, which will be held at Huntington Place from October 7-10, 2024.
The Battery Show will feature over 1,200 exhibitors and four days of industry presentations.
The agenda for the day includes breakfast, followed by presentations on high-voltage automotive systems, lithium-ion battery management, and fire response protocols.
After lunch, the hands-on demonstrations will focus on battery storage and fire suppression methods.
The Detroit Fire Department will host a free workshop on lithium-ion battery safety for first responders on October 9, 2024.
The event is open to 150 participants and will be held at Newlab at Michigan Central in Detroit, Michigan.
The workshop is being held in conjunction with The Battery Show and EVT Expo.
Industry experts John Waters and Ron Butler will lead the event, which will include technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations to equip first responders with best practices for handling lithium-ion batteries in emergency situations.
