Today's fires demand a hazmat mindset

The next hazmat challenge probably isn't coming — it's already in your first-due. Mesa Fire and Medical Department Captain Jim Barnhart has spent years studying lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaics and emerging energy systems, and he makes the case that firefighters need to stop treating these incidents as rare exceptions. Using the recent Los Angeles Boyle Heights cold storage fire as a launching point, Barnhart explains how solar arrays, battery storage and evolving building technology are creating longer, more complex and less predictable incidents. But this isn't a conversation about fear. It's about preparation. From improving size-up and preplans to finding credible training and asking a simple question — "Is the power really off?" — Barnhart offers practical guidance for departments of every size. This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by TheFireStore. Learn more about getting the gear you need at prices you can afford by visiting TheFireStore. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.