Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?

Safety Stand Down 2023 – Resources

Lithium-ion batteries power a vast range of products and equipment, from laptops and smartphones to micro-mobility devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. As the use and presence of lithium-ion batteries continues to grow, so does the potential risk for first responders who are called upon to mitigate associated fire incidents and hazards. To help ensure firefighters’ safety when handling lithium-ion batteries in a variety of situations and scenarios, the theme for this year’s Safety Stand Down campaign, June 18-24, 2023, is “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?”

The week of Safety Stand Down will cover topics relating to lithium-ion battery response and safety, which will be broken down into five daily focus areas: recognition of hazards, firefighting operations, firefighter safety, post-incident considerations, and public education.

This page includes resources to help departments focus on this year’s topic. Additional tools, including the 12 Foundations of Fire Department Training, are available on the Planning page of this site.

Sample Documents and Procedures:

Sample SOP/SOG – Responses to Incidents Involving Lithium-Ion Batteries and/or Energy Storage Systems
National Volunteer Fire Council

Sample Procedure – Structure Fire Response
Lexipol

Sample Procedure – Vehicle Extrication Operations
Lexipol

Sample Procedure – Traffic Collision and Vehicle Fire Response
Lexipol

Operating Procedure – Car Fires
Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department

Operating Procedure – Battery Energy Storage System
Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department

Operating Procedure – Photovoltaic Installations
Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department

Resources:

Lithium-Ion Batteries
U.S. Fire Administration

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Information and Resources
National Fire Protection Association

Safety With E-bikes and E-scooters
National Fire Protection Association

Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Solar Safety
National Fire Protection Association

Lithium-Ion and Energy Storage Systems
International Association of Fire Chiefs

FDNY Foundation Lithium-Ion Battery Challenges for the Fire Service
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Emergency Response Guides for Electric Powered Vehicles
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tip Sheets:

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
National Fire Protection Association

Tip Sheet (Spanish): Seguridad de las Baterías de Ion de Litio
National Fire Protection Association

Bulletins and Hot Washes:

Submerged Hybrid/Electric Vehicles
National Fire Protection Association

Fire Department Response to Electric Vehicle Fires Bulletin
International Association of Fire Chiefs

Hot Wash: RC Car Battery Fire
Brighton Area Fire Authority (MI)

Hot Wash: e-Mobility Device Fire
Ann Arbor Fire Department (MI)

Hot Wash: Hoverboard Fire
Brighton Area Fire Authority (MI)

Hot Wash: Power Tool Fire
Brighton Area Fire Authority (MI)

Research and Reports:

Emergency Response to Incident Involving Electric Vehicle Battery Hazards
National Fire Protection Association

The Impact of Batteries on Fire Dynamics
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Examining the Fire Safety Hazards of Lithium-Ion Battery Powered e-Mobility Devices in Homes
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Fire Safety of Batteries and Electric Vehicles
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Study of Firefighter Line of Duty Injuries and Near Misses – Surprise, AZ
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Articles:

Emerging Issues – Full Throttle
National Fire Protection Association

Emerging Technologies – Battered Batteries
National Fire Protection Association

Stranded Energy
National Fire Protection Association

Fire Safety for Electric Vehicles and Other Modern Vehicles in Parking Structures
National Fire Protection Association

Lithium-ion Battery Construction – Firefighters Should Know the Difference
FireRescue1

Electric Vehicle Fires: Products, Strategies, and the Power of Time
FireRescue1

What if That Burning Car Has a Lithium-Ion Battery?
National Transportation Safety Board

Training:

Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training Program for Emergency Responders
National Fire Protection Association

Energy Storage and Solar Systems Safety Online Training
National Fire Protection Association

Electric Vehicle Safety: An Awareness Level Training
National Volunteer Fire Council

Webinar: Lithium Ion Batteries – What Firefighters Need to Know
National Volunteer Fire Council

Webinar: Lithium-Ion Batteries & Energy Storage Systems Series, Part 1 – Rising to the Challenge
National Volunteer Fire Council

Webinar: Lithium-Ion Batteries & Energy Storage Systems Series, Part 2 – A Deep Dive into What Your Fire Department Needs to Know
National Volunteer Fire Council

Panel Discussion: Electric and Hybrid Vehicles – Safety Concerns and Implications for Emergency Responders
National Volunteer Fire Council

How Batteries are Changing Our Environment
International Association of Fire Chiefs

Science of Fire and Explosion Hazards from Lithium-Ion Batteries
UL Fire Safety Research Institute’s Fire Safety Academy

Fire Considerations with Lithium-Ion Battery ESS
UL Fire Safety Research Institute’s Fire Safety Academy

FSRI and DC Fire & EMS Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium Presentation Library
UL Fire Safety Research Institute

Emergency Response to Lucid Air
Energy Security Agency