Keith Bryant: Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Report

Something for us all to be paying more attention to and learning more about is the prevalence of lithium-ion batteries.

From the size of a watch battery in a vaping devices to large banks of batteries used in industry, lithium-ion batteries are being used in increasingly more locations and applications than ever.

Some of the more common uses of these batteries currently include pacemakers, smartphones and laptop computers, personal mobility devices, scooters, hoverboards, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), emergency power backup and obviously, electric vehicles.

The reasons for their increased usage in general is they have a high power capacity, they are longer lasting, quick charging, low maintenance all in a smaller size unit than other batteries such as lead-acid or nickel-cadmium.

Despite their advantages, lithium-ion batteries present firefighters with challenges and hazards.

With their high energy density, they produce a tremendous amount of heat. When this heat builds up within the battery faster than it can be dissipated it causes the battery to off gas or even explode. This situation is referred to as “thermal runaway.”

Thermal runaway can occur when the battery is overcharged, overheated, or suffers damage such as a puncture. The ensuing fire is one of rapid build up and intense heat. If the battery is part of a bank of multiple batteries a chain reaction is very possible.

Fighting fires involving lithium-ion batteries can be more difficult because of the increased heat and energy. The application of water may not be adequate and, in many cases, total submersion of the battery is required to control the fire.

I bring this to your attention because on March 1, the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Office investigated a double fatality fire in the community of Osage. The investigation revealed that the likely cause of the fire was the failure of lithium-ion batteries left on a charging station in the living area of the home.

While other factors were involved, it is more than likely the escape time could have been significantly decreased because of the rapid and intense build up of the fire.

I encourage you to educate yourselves and your department on the unique hazards associated with lithium-ion battery technology.

I suggest the following publications:

• National Fire Sprinkler Association / Lithium-ion Battery Fires and Fire Protection -- https://nfsa.org/2023/01/12/lithium-ion-battery-fires/

• United States Fire Administration / Guidance on Responding to Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Mobility Devices - https://www.usfa.fema. gov/blog/ig-042822.html

I have been a Volunteer Firefighter for the Clinton Fire Department for about 16 years.

The last five have been spent also serving as the department Chaplain. Our department is a combination of full time and volunteer Firefighters/EMT’s.

In 2022, the department responded to over 1600 calls for help. Although most of the calls are medical in nature, Clinton’s location right on I-40 and Hwy 183 means that we run on our fair share of MVA’s. Throw in a few structure fires and multiple grass fires and that equals a lot of calls.

The result is a lot of exposure to trauma or critical medical situations. Because we are a small town, there is a higher-than-normal chance that we may personally know or even be related to the people that we are summoned to help.

All of you who have chosen this profession have probably seen more than your share of bad scenes. We all like to think that because we chose this life, that we are immune to the many side effects that come with the job.

While small departments do not see the kind of numbers that a big city will see, they are certainly not immune to the mental fatigue and other effects that come with the job.

Look around and you have probably seen failed marriages, alcohol or drug abuse, changes in behavior or withdrawal from the group. Most of us probably know someone that has committed suicide or at least attempted it. All of these are very real and extremely serious problems in the Fire Service.

We can and should all do our best to mitigate the damage that can occur to our mental health by the repeated exposure to traumatic events.

Part of the role of a Fire Chaplain is to look for signs of trouble and to help those individuals either by working with them one on one or referring them to other resources that can help.

Praying with someone can have a monumental effect on their wellbeing. Besides prayer, the next biggest thing that a Fire Chaplain can do is to be a good listener. A vast majority of the time, all that someone really needs is to be heard.

The old cheesy adage of the good Lord gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason, really isn’t that cheesy. I challenge anyone to convince me that listening is not more important than speaking. You do not have to be a Chaplain to be a good listener and to reach out to someone you think needs it.

Our department is fortunate to have a Peer Support Team. Not all departments have this luxury, but what they do have is a large network of neighboring teams that are ready to answer the call.

If you are in need or know someone that is, please do not delay and reach out to your Chaplain or Peer Support Group. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Being a Firefighter is a tough calling. I challenge all of you to be your brother or your sister’s keeper and at the very least, try to be a good listener.

James 1:12 -- Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Have a blessed day.

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