2023 Firefighter Safety Stand Down Focuses on Lithium-Ion Batteries

Every year during the third week of June, Firefighter Safety Stand Down highlights critical safety, health and survival issues for fire and emergency services personnel. This year the focus is on lithium-ion batteries, a potential risk for first responders during fire incidents.

Safety Stand Down 2023 will take place June 18-24 with the theme, “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?” The website will feature daily topics related to responder safety during incidents involving lithium-ion batteries.

• Monday: recognition of hazards
• Tuesday: firefighting operations
• Wednesday: firefighter safety
• Thursday: post-incident considerations
• Friday: public education

Departments are asked to suspend all non-emergency activities during this week to focus on safety and health education efforts. For more details or to share this information with colleagues, review the Safety Stand Down press release PDF.

Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Safety, Health and Survival Section; the National Volunteer Fire Council; the National Fire Protection Association; and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.

See also: Lithium-ion battery resources