Detroit Fire Department joins EV experts to host Innovation Workshop for First Responders

Free, daylong workshop is open to the first 150 first responders who register
Event being held in conjunction with The Battery Show and EVT Expo which runs October 7- 9 at Huntington Place
Energy Safety Storage Products International and Waters & Associates will share their expertise in Lithium-ion batteries

The Detroit Fire Department is excited to welcome 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, share their expertise in handling and storage of lithium-ion batteries with first responders from looking to learn and employ best practices.

This free, comprehensive, daylong workshop is specifically designed with first responders from across the US and Canada in mind, with 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. This workshop is a great opportunity to be proactive and gain this essential knowledge.

There will be opportunities for those attending to provide personal feedback and share their own experiential knowledge related to lithium-ion battery best practices, so attendees can also learn firsthand from each other.

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 a startup 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.

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.

The workshop is open to first responders including fire department personnel, emergency management teams and hazardous materials teams from across the US and Canada. It will be hosted at Newlab at Michigan Central, located at 2050 15^th Street in Detroit and will run Wednesday, October 9 from 8am-4pm. The event is being held in conjunction with the Battery Show and EVT Expo, which is making it’s Detroit debut this year at Huntington Place October 7-10. The Battery Show will bring four days of education and access to trailblazing industry leaders with more than 1,200 exhibitors.

Agenda is as follows:
8-9am: Registration and breakfast
9am: Welcome Remarks, City of Detroit Fire Marshal Donald Thomas
9:15am: “Automotive High Voltage Electrical Systems, Mr. Ronald Butler, CEO of Energy Safety Storage Products International
10:15am: “High Voltage Battery (48V+) and Thermal Runway Management”, Mr. John Waters, Waters & Associates
11:15am: “Li-ion Battery Fire Response Protocols (SOP Development)”, Mr. Ron Butler, CEO of Energy Safety Storage Products International
12:00pm: Lunch
1:00-4:00pm: Hands-on Demonstrations, including proper lithium-ion battery storage, handling and fire suppression

Registration:

Seats are limited. Those wishing to attend can register today at First Responder Innovation Workshop Registration