SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – After an uptick in fires related to lithium-ion batteries, the Seminole County Fire Department is training firefighters from across Central Florida on awareness and response.
On Friday, firefighters from Seminole County, Orange County, Orlando and Deltona attended the three-hour session.
“It’s super important due to the fact that these fires burn differently than what we see with a gasoline-powered automobile or a regular combustible fire,” SCFD Assistant Chief Tod Zellers said.
According to Seminole County, the fire department has responded to 20 lithium-ion battery fires since April.
“The lithium burns much hotter, more intense, and for a longer period of time and it’s not extinguished by water,” Zellers said.
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Part of the lesson also included information the public should know, like how to properly recycle lithium-ion batteries.
“You just bring them to your local transfer station or hazardous facility that will collect them,” Environmental Programs Coordinator Jeremy Davis said. “I know Home Depot should be able to take those and then personnel will take them to the proper area to recycle them.”
The training was happening after a News 6 investigation found there were no rules for safely storing the batteries that are known to overheat and catch fire. The investigation caught the attention of Florida lawmakers who passed HB 989, which was signed into law this year.
Currently, state leaders are in the process of drawing up the rules for lithium-ion battery storage.
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