VIDEO: When not stationed at the firehouse or battling blazes, one Aurora firefighter dedicates his time to training firefighters and departments nationwide in responding to lithium-ion battery fires and electric vehicle fires.
Paul Shoemaker, a veteran firefighter and paramedic with the Aurora Fire Department for a decade, collaborates closely with the National Fire Protection Association, the Fire Safety Research Institute, and Underwriters Laboratories. He aims to effect change in fire service practices across the nation.
"I'm teaching firefighters how to handle, mitigate, and tactically extinguish lithium-ion battery fires," Shoemaker said.
Lithium-ion batteries power a range of devices including e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles.