Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Training for Public Safety Officials

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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
 

Tags: fire safety,   

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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