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Technology:Gadgets
Laura Kavanagh, Commissioner of the NYC Fire Department on how they are fighting battery fires
Laura Kavanagh was appointed Fire Commissioner by Mayor Eric Adams in October 2022. As Fire Commissioner, Kavanagh oversees the day-to-day operations of the largest fire department in the country, with more than 17,000 employees and a $2 billion budget. Kavanagh is also a leader in the FDNY's response to major emergencies. She has overseen the department's response to the Ebola outbreak of 2015, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous other natural and man-made disasters. We're excited to have Laura Kavanagh on the show today to talk specifically about battery fires, where according to the FDNY, batteries have led to 180 fires (now 187) and tragically 14 people have died so far this year in NYC. Questions: Micromobility battery fires, I’m saying micromobility because a lot of the media calls it ebike fires but this goes beyond ebikes and in to many modes of small electric vehicles with batteries (scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, unicycles). When did you start to notice the trend of battery fires? Some estimates say that there are 65,000+ delivery workers, other estimates have it over 100,000+ workers. They all have micromobility vehicles. What type of vehicles/batteries are they using and what type of vehicles/batteries should they be using? What are the biggest challenges facing the FDNY in responding to micromobility battery fires? What advice would you give to New Yorkers on how to stay safe from micromobility battery fires? Do you believe that the federal government should do more to regulate micromobility batteries? What are your thoughts, and I know you testified in DC, on the recent proposal by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require new safety features for micromobility batteries? What are the FDNY's plans to work with community leaders and organizations to raise awareness of micromobility battery fire safety? What is the FDNY's working relationship with other city agencies, such as the Department of Buildings and the Department of Transportation, on micromobility battery fire safety? If I’m a delivery worker or anyone with a vehicle and I’m unsure if I have a vehicle that is prone to fires, what should I do? What are some best practices for anyone that owns a small electric vehicle to prevent a fire?
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