How should we prepare firefighters for an EV future?
Workshop Recap
On November 18th, 2022, the project team organized a workshop on EV fire that brought together over 50 participants. The workshop comprised three panels, each with 15 panelists, who engaged in lively discussions on the topic. Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students presented their research during the poster session, providing valuable insights on EV fire. The VR demo session on EV fire was also a highlight of the workshop, allowing participants to experience first-hand the challenges involved in addressing EV fires. Overall, the workshop was a great success, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants from diverse backgrounds. Below were photos taken during our workshop.
VR Demonstration and Participation
Workshop in Progress
Poster Session and Discussions
Preparing First Responders for Future Electric Vehicle Emergencies
Date: 8:30 AM — 4:30 PM, November 18, 2022
Location: 1036 Cyber Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Registration: Link
Directions: Cyber Hall can be accessed using the side pedestrain walk. Parking can be found right across the street. Additional parkings are available in the parking lot on Harper Ct, east of Cyber Hall.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chief Michael O’Brian
Michael O’Brian is the Fire Chief for the Brighton Area Fire Authority in Brighton MI. He also serves on the board of directors for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and is chairing their work group on preparing the fire service for response to incidents in Lithium Ion Batteries
About the Talk
Batteries are now consuming our industries and homes. With existing and new technologies the fire service is challenged with responding to incidents that involve various forms of lithium ion batteries. From small personal devices, electric vehicles, and the manufacturing process, the fire service is working to understand this new demand and how to adequately respond and protect their community and firefighters.
Panelist
Panel A: Industry Aspects of EV Safety
VDDV Technical Specialist, General Motors
Assistant Professor, Univertsity of Maryland
Panel B: Traffic Incident Management of EV
Lead EV Fire Instructor, National Volunteer Fire Council
TSMO Manager, Alabama Deparment of Transportation
Assistant Professor, University of Alabama
Training and Research Manager, AAA Automotive
Panel C: Responder Training for EV Fires
Assistant Professor, University of Alabama
Senior Research Scientist and Director of Emergency Communications and Community Resiliency Laboratory, University of Alabama
TMC manager and TIM Trainer, Alabama Department of Transportation
Director of Regional Services, Alabama Fire College
FF/medic and instructor, Emergency Responder Saftey Institute
Workshop Agenda
| Time | Content |
| 8:30 AM | Welcome & Introduction Dr. Yangming Shi, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Dr. Laura Myers, Senior Research Scientist, University of Alabama |
| 8:50 AM | Opening Remarks Mr. Michael Oatridge, Executive Director, Alabama Mobility and Power Center |
| 9:00 AM | Keynote Speech Chief Michael O’Brian, Fire Chief for the Brighton Area Fire Authority |
| 9:30 AM | Panel A: Industry Aspects of EV Safety Dr. Krishna Shah (moderator), Assistant Professor, University of Alabama. Dr. Taylor Garrick, VDDV Technical Specialist, General Motors Dr. Judy Jeevarajan, Vice President and Executive Director, UL Research Institutes Dr. Shuna Ni, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland Mr. Michael Oatridge, Executive Director, Alabama Mobility and Power Center |
| 11:00 AM | Poster Session and Technology Demonstration Dr. Yangming Shi (moderator) Students will present posters on research and information about EV and EV fire |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch Sponsored by Alabama Transportation Institute |
| 1:00 PM | Panel B: Traffic Incident Management (TIM) of EV Dr. Jun Liu (co-moderator), Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Dr. Xinwu Qian (co-moderator), Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Mr. Brett Sellers, TSMO Manager, Alabama Department of Transportation Mr. Ricky Hendon, Training and Research Manager, AAA, Automotive Lt. Josh Pfeiffer, FF/medic and instructor, Emergency Responder Safety Institute Mr. Thomas Miller, Lead EV Fire Instructor, National Volunteer Fire Council |
| 2:15 PM | Break |
| 2:30 PM | Panel C: Responder Training for EV fires Dr. Yangming Shi (co-moderator), Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Dr. Laura Myers (co-moderator), Senior Research Scientist, University of Alabama Mr. Thomas Miller, Lead EV Fire Instructor, National Volunteer Fire Council Lt. Josh Pfeiffer, Volunteer and Career firefighter, Emergency Responder Safety Institute Mr. Ken Colvert, TMC Manager & TIM Trainer, Alabama Department of Transportation Mr. Reid Vaughan, Director of Regional Services, Alabama Fire College |
| 4:00 PM | Closing Remarks |
Organizing committee
- Dr. Yangming Shi
- Dr. Jun Liu
- Dr. Krishna Shah
- Dr. Xinwu Qian
- Dr. Laura Myers
NSF workshop on EV fire and firefigher training 