PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fire, police, and emergency medical professionals in Berkshire County are invited to a hands-on training on lithium-ion battery fire response hosted by the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority. 

 

The workshop, led by a lithium-ion battery expert with International BAE Systems, covers how to recognize battery failures, prevent thermal runaway, and protect crews from toxic gas exposure and reignition hazards. This training follows a serious fire event at the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority where a battery pack repeatedly ignited for hours and had to be removed from the bus.

 

This session is recommended if your department responds to fires involving electric vehicles, scooters, or stored battery packs.

 

The training will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 10 to 4 at BRTA's maintenance facility at 67 Downing Parkway.

 

The cost is free for public safety personnel but attendees are asked to register at 413-499-2782, Ext. 2892, accem.scott@berkshirerta.gov or justin.rowland@berkshirerta.gov. Registration is also being taken here.