SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel celebrates the successful passage of AB 841 through the California Legislature. This bill addresses the increasing exposure to toxic chemicals that firefighters face during lithium-ion battery fires by convening a working group to recommend improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination procedures.
As California leads the nation in clean energy adoption, lithium-ion battery fires have become more frequent and more dangerous. High-profile incidents have occurred at utility-scale storage facilities in Escondido, Orange County, Otay Mesa, and Moss Landing, along with a growing number of electric vehicle fires in San Diego and across the state.
Lithium-ion battery fires can burn hotter and longer, releasing toxic substances and heavy metals that current protective gear and decontamination processes are not designed to fully protect against. These evolving hazards threaten not only firefighter safety but also the state’s emergency response capacity and public safety. Yet, PPE and decontamination protocols have not kept pace.
Now that AB 841 has passed the Legislature, I strongly encourage the Governor to sign this bill,” said Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel. “The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries is advancing California’s green energy goals. However, without updated safety standards, we risk sacrificing firefighter health, hindering emergency response, and jeopardizing public safety. AB 841 takes a long-overdue step towards addressing these risks, and I strongly encourage the Governor to sign the bill and take this step with us.”
Brian K. Rice, President of California Professional Firefighters, who are sponsoring the bill, said, “The passage of AB 841 off the Assembly floor marks a crucial step toward protecting the health and safety of California’s firefighters and the communities they serve. As lithium-ion battery fires grow in frequency and danger, this bill ensures we are proactively addressing the risks with expert-driven solutions. We commend Assemblymember Patel for championing this effort and urge the Governor to sign the bill into law.”
