Detroit Fire Department and EV experts host Innovation Workshop for First Responders

• More than 120 representatives from 55 agencies and industry partners attended the conference at Newlab @ Michigan Central
• Best practices for handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries was the focus of the daylong event
• Detroit Fire Marshal's message is early detection beats suppression

The Detroit Fire Department welcomed John Waters of Waters & Associates to the City of Detroit as he, along with former Detroit Firefighter turned CEO of Detroit-based Energy Safety Storage Products International, Ron Butler, shared their expertise in handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries with first responders and partners from more than 50 looking to learn and employ best practices.  

This free, comprehensive, daylong workshop held Wednesday, October 9, included technical presentations by EV experts highlighting the latest advancements in managing lithium-ion battery thermal events in the morning followed by an afternoon of hands-on demonstrations by members of the Detroit Fire Department.

Though lithium-ion battery fires are rare, when they do occur, they pose unique challenges in terms of fire suppression and safety. It’s critical our first responders have access to the most up-to-date information regarding the proper handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries to best protect themselves and the public.

“Fire Marshal Thomas is paving the way for the next generation of first responders by helping share his knowledge and bringing experts together to solve for the challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries,” said Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “We are grateful to our partners at Newlab @ Michigan Central for helping us host today’s important workshop, and for creating such a great space for innovation and collaboration here in the City of Detroit.”

John Waters is the “inventor of record” for the first mass-produced EV battery in auto history, (i.e., GM’s EV1). He is the founding CEO of Bright Automotive and got his start in this work right here in Detroit. Waters holds several patents on lithium-ion battery designs and has been leading first responder strategies and techniques since the beginning of mass-producing the EV and the EV battery.

ESSPI, or Energy Safety Storage Products International, is based at Newlab at Michigan Central. The company has developed state-of-the-industry lithium-ion fire management solutions and training processes geared to combat energy storage system fire and shock hazard events. ESSPI is the recipient of funding from the US Department of Transportation and considered a national leader in lithium-ion battery fire prevention and containment. Ronald Butler, CEO of the company, worked as a Detroit Firefighter for 20 years.

“It was an outstanding event that firefighters needed,” said former Detroit Firefighter and ESSPI CEO Ron Butler. “They needed training in understanding of and response to electric vehicle battery fires and we delivered. There were product demonstrations for suppression of lithium-ion batteries from six companies on the cutting edge of technology, from all around the country. We look forward to hosting this training again next year.”

The Detroit Fire Department, under the leadership of Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms, is considered a national leader in EV best practices. Fire Marshal Donald Thomas is at the forefront of this work and is currently in the process of working with teams across the city to craft an ordinance related to EV chargers as they gain in popularity across the City of Detroit.

Attendees were able to provide personal feedback and share their experiential knowledge related to lithium-ion battery best practices, so they could learn firsthand from each other.

“Today’s event was a huge success,” said Marshal Thomas. “The Detroit Fire Department and Newlab were proud to host this workshop today for our first responders. We received great feedback from the presentations. This is a true testament as to why regional and even national collaboration is essential. We look forward to hosting another workshop here at Newlab in the Spring of 2025.”