Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom’s AB 696 has become her first bill to advance to the Governor’s desk. The measure ensures California’s first responders are prepared to handle dangerous lithium-ion battery fires from the state’s rapidly growing fleet of electric vehicles.
California’s electric vehicle sales have skyrocketed in the last decade- and the risks are growing too. Lithium-ion batteries can burn for days, reignite days later, and release toxic chemicals that endanger both the public and emergency personnel.
During the Palisades and Eaton fires this January, countless battery-powered vehicles were damaged, leaking dangerous chemicals and burning for days in some cases, taking first responders away from the front lines of these devastating fires to address these blazes.
AB 696 creates the Lithium-Ion Car Battery Advisory Group within the State Fire Marshal’s office to develop best practices and training for firefighters and emergency medical teams.
“Emergency responders put their lives on the line every day,” said Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom. “AB 696 ensures that they have the expert guidance to respond to Lithium-Ion battery fires, quickly, effectively, and most importantly safely.”
The bill passed with unanimous, bipartisan support and now awaits the Governor’s signature.
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