NFPA Offers Free Distributed Energy Resources Training; Vector Solutions Partnering to Get it into Your Hands

The fire service has experienced a lot of change in the past decade, including response to fires that involve distributed energy resources (DER). Because of the fast spread of items that involve energy storage technologies, it is critical for firefighters to develop the knowledge and skills to fight these types of fires.

“As more distributed energy resources are deployed nationwide, the fire service needs to be properly prepared to respond to them safely and effectively,” said Andrew Klock, Sr. Manager of Education and Development at the National Fire Protection Association^® (NFPA^®).

Partnering with NFPA, DOE, and NAFTD to train firefighters more effectively

Vector Solutions has a long history of creating training technology and courses that meet NFPA standards and help keep firefighters safe. In July of 2024, Vector Solutions worked with the NFPA to distribute a virtual experience application to address renewable technology emerging hazards. The free simulated training app was designed to immerse firefighters in a realistic simulation, allowing them to train in responding to and extinguishing fires with DER present.

While the first training app focused on classroom training materials and an interactive, game-like simulated training for responding to battery energy storage and electric vehicle fires, the second phase of the series, officially being launched by NFPA, Vector Solutions and the U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with the North American Fire Training Directors (NAFTD), addresses mitigation training for a field evolutions approach of distributed energy resources.

Andrew Klock explained, “This second phase of field-based familiarization trainings provide firefighters with the skills and know-how to address a wide range of installations, including battery energy storage systems, solar panel farms, lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle storage areas and/or demonstration centers.”

DER mitigation training custom activity

To simplify the process for this DER mitigation training, Vector Solutions has created a DER Custom Activity in the TargetSolutions training management system which streamlines the assignment, tracking, and reporting of DER training. Complete with learning objectives, embedded DER walkthrough videos and PowerPoints, and completion reporting, TargetSolutions customers can simply contact their Vector Solutions Customer Success Manager to import the Custom Activity into their department’s site.

Access the DER custom activity walkthrough.