Golden's Bridge FD Raises Concerns Over Commercial EV Charging Station

GOLDEN'S BRIDGE, NY — Fire officials in Golden's Bridge are raising safety concerns about a new commercial electric vehicle charging station at a local shopping center.

From the Golden's Bridge Fire Department

With new firefighting realities created by fast-evolving advances in environment-friendly technology, training in electric vehicle (EV), lithium-ion battery, and commercial charging station fires has become part of conventional emergency response exercises that Golden’s Bridge firefighters undergo throughout the year.

Members of the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department recently participated in a 3-hour advanced training and education course in critical response strategies, techniques and procedures in fires and emergencies involving lithium-ion batteries, EV commercial charging stations, and electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

During the session, the certified course instructor was asked for his opinion on safety issues involving the EV commercial charging stations recently installed in the Golden’s Bridge shopping center.

At the heart of the safety concerns of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District is the location of the EV charging stations.

"We have expressed a number of concerns, but chief among them is that the EV commercial charging stations in the Golden’s Bridge shopping center are installed in an area that’s close in proximity to underground propane tanks that fuel the businesses in the shopping center," said Fire Commissioner Edward Brancati, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District.

"We have to assume the installation of these EV charging stations is compliant with building department and all other applicable codes since it was approved by Town officials. However," said Commissioner Brancati, "are existing codes current in addressing this fairly new and fast-developing EV charging infrastructure? Was the location of the propane tanks considered? Was the potential of storm-related conditions, such as downed trees toppling onto the charging stations, considered? When it comes to any type of construction and installation that could impact the safety and well-being of life and property, it’s always prudent and sensible for local municipalities to seek the input and opinion from local fire officials."

At the firefighter training session, the certified course instructor noted that while common sense should be the prevailing factor, that’s not always the case, and advised that Golden’s Bridge fire officials obtain a code review performed by Town officials of the charging stations installation.

Officials of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District initially raised questions over the EV commercial charging stations and shared their safety concerns with Lewisboro Town officials. As recently as last month, at the GBFD’s community day event at the firehouse, fire district officials again expressed their concerns to Town officials in attendance. The fire district has received assurances that the Town Board would look into the GBFD’s safety concerns.

With the increased use of lithium-ion and high-voltage batteries, and greater incidents of fires and mishaps involving these devices, elected officials and municipal agencies across the state are addressing public safety and implementing safeguards. The Westchester County Board of Legislators passed legislation signed into law this month by the county executive that bolsters safety regulations involving the sale and disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

Although incident rates are higher for lithium-ion battery fires involving e-scooters and e-bikes when they are being charged, one-third of electric vehicle fires are linked to charging. The majority of all lithium-ion and high-voltage battery fires, according to fire prevention experts, are caused by overcharged, overheated, damaged, and improperly stored batteries.

"Golden’s Bridge firefighters are highly trained and prepared for all potential scenarios. The safety of the public and our firefighters is always central to our questions, concerns and recommendations," said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo, who noted that it could take as much as 20 times more water to extinguish an EV fire than the 1,000 gallons it typically takes to extinguish a conventional vehicle fire.

"It is critical that we understand how EVs and commercial electric charging stations react under fire conditions. A car fire on a local road or I684, or in a garage, and a fire originating in a basement or a second-floor bedroom, could be more challenging than a conventional vehicle or structure fire due to the presence of lithium-ion and high-voltage batteries," said Fire Chief Melillo, noting that these batteries are used in everything from lawn care equipment and power tools, to smart devices, laptops and children’s toys.

The Golden’s Bridge fire chief said the National Fire Protection Association offers safety tips on the use of lithium-ion batteries with household devices — among them, avoid charging a device on a bed or sofa, and store batteries away from anything flammable. Most importantly, he said, whether an EV or a household or recreational device, avoid overcharging a battery and never keep a fully charged battery connected to a charging device or charging station.

This release was produced by the Golden's Bridge Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.