Last year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Vector Solutions launched a program to properly train U.S. fire departments in safely mitigating fires that involve energy storage technologies (such as battery energy storage systems).

While the first part of that effort focused on classroom training materials and an interactive, game-like simulated training for responding to battery energy storage and electric vehicle fires, the second phase of the series, officially being launched by NFPA, Vector Solutions, and the U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with the North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD), addresses mitigation training for a field evolutions approach of distributed energy resources (DER).

“As more distributed energy resources are deployed nationwide, the fire service needs to be properly prepared to respond to them safely and effectively,” said Andrew Klock, senior manager of education and development at NFPA. “This second phase of field-based familiarization trainings provides firefighters with the skills and know-how to address a wide range of installations, including battery energy storage systems, solar panel farms, lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle storage areas and/or demonstration centers.”

DER training for fire fighters

The newly launched DER training features field familiarization exercises that enable fire departments to apply the information they’ve learned in previous trainings and during on-site walkthroughs held at “target hazard” locations. In addition, to better support firefighters during these exercises, an online guide acts as an engaging, responsive, and interactive experience, providing guidance, scenario training, and verbal field exercises that help sharpen logistic and reasoning abilities on-scene.

“Drawing on their knowledge obtained from prerequisite online and classroom training and simulation exercises, firefighters can now face virtual hazard scenarios as a team on their smart devices, while performing a field familiarization evolution of a DER facility,” said Klock.

Vector Solutions for Fire & EMS

Vector Solutions for Fire & EMS is a training and workforce management technology company that enables Fire and Rescue Departments to meet their demanding training, compliance, and preparedness objectives. The Vector Solutions public safety suite of products includes software for training management, policy distribution, personnel scheduling, critical incident and exposure tracking, and promoting a positive department culture.

Vector Solutions has created a DER Custom Activity in its training management platform, TargetSolutions, that streamlines assignment, tracking, and reporting of DER training for Vector Solutions customers. Access to this Distributed Energy Resources Safety Training (DERST) Field Familiarization Evolution Program is accessible, free of charge, to the fire service and the responder community at large through the NAFTD.

NFPA

NFPA is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.