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Fire chief warns of growing lithium‑ion battery fire risks; department outlines training, hazmat response and recruit class
Summary
Spokane Fire Department described challenges from lithium‑ion battery and EV fires, praised recent operational responses to a warehouse incident, and reported a new recruit academy intake and steady EMS workload. The chief urged public education on charging, disposal and storage.
Chief O'Byrd told the Public Safety Committee that Spokane Fire Department crews are confronting a statewide and national rise in fires tied to lithium‑ion batteries and energy storage systems (ESS). The chief described the risk of thermal runaway — a rapid, self‑sustaining overheating event in damaged or improperly charged lithium batteries — and said such fires present intensified heat, fire spread and toxic smoke byproducts.
The department described recent operational experience: a warehouse fire several days earlier that involved lithium‑ion products, where wind patterns helped limit the need for large evacuations but smoke toxicity displaced one homeowner, three adults and a dog for a…
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