When Battalion Chief Rick Grassel first saw six Teslas charging at a station, one thought hit him—what would I do if those were on fire? And the answer? He didn't know. That realization launched a deep dive into electric vehicle (EV) fire response, battery dangers, and the evolving challenges firefighters face on the frontline.
In this episode, Matt, Doug, Brian, and Unkie sit down with Chief Grassel to break down:
⚡ The real problem – It’s not just EVs, it’s batteries everywhere!
🔥 The dangers of thermal runaway and why EV fires don’t just go out
🚗 Extrication challenges – Cutting into high-voltage vehicles safely
🌊 The insane amount of water needed to put out an EV fire (or should we just let them burn?)
🔬 How off-market, non-UL tested batteries might be the next fire service nightmare
This is the fire service reality check you didn’t know you needed. Whether you’re in the trenches or just EV-curious, this one is a must-listen!