Grand Marais Fire Department gets new tool to battle electric vehicle fires
As electric vehicles become increasingly prevalent nationwide, including along the North Shore, numerous fire departments are enhancing their training protocols and acquiring advanced extinguishing tools as the lithium-ion battery poses unique challenges for firefighters.
The lithium-ion batteries used to power electric vehicles (EV) burn at increased temperatures, compared to a traditional vehicle fire, requiring firefighters to allocate more water and resources to combat the fire. Furthermore, the location of the battery, typically in the floor of the vehicle in a waterproof container, adds to the challenges of battling and containing the fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board has stated that EV battery fires pose a risk to firefighters and there remains gaps in industry safety standards for high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires.
While Cook County has yet to experience an EV fire, the Grand Marais Fire Department preemptively prepares for the inevitable.
In recent weeks, the Grand Marais Fire Department added a new extinguishing tool to the repertoire to prepare for an EV fire in Cook County, thanks to the expertise of a skilled Grand Marais resident.
Matt Stone, owner of UniMoose Enterprises, built an EV extinguishing unit for the Grand Marais Fire Department that resembles an elongated sprinkler system. Stone said he drilled 189 precision-lined holes into a 1.5-inch schedule 40 pipe with threads on both ends for fittings. The pipe can then be attached to a hose and slid underneath the EV to strategically target and battle the battery fire.
After learning about the dangers and challenges that firefighters are experiencing with EVs, Stone said he was happy to lend a hand.
“Who wouldn’t want to help out the community,” Stone said. “It made me feel good to be a part of it and know that I was able to, again, help out my community.”
Aaron Mielke, the Grand Marais assistant fire chief, said numerous fire departments in Minnesota and the Midwest are exploring different methods to battle EV fires. Some fire departments have used extinguishing units and fire blankets or let the EV burn in a safe spot along the road.
The need for additional water resources is one of the main challenges facing many fire departments, and in remote locations like Cook County, it could strain resources, Mielke said.
“These EV fires take a large volume of water, like 8000 to 10,000 gallons or more,” Mielke said. “Our initial rig out that goes to car accidents only carries 500 gallons, and then our tender, which would come behind if we need more, carries 2000 gallons.”
He said the EV extinguishing tool that Stone built made the most sense to quickly and efficiently cool the EV and minimize further damage while maximizing water usage.
With the new tool, Mielke said, “We’re only pumping out about five gallons a minute.”
“So we’ll see how it works. The intent is just to have something anyway. To be ready,” Mielke said.
Stone said he is currently talking with the other fire departments in Cook County about building more EV extinguishing units. “I do have plans to produce many more.”
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins visited the Grand Marais Fire Department to talk to Aaron Mielke and Matt Stone and see a demonstration of the new EV extinguishing unit.
Audio from the interview is below.
Video & photos of the EV extinguishing unit below:
Kalli Hawkins March 15, 2024
