County to Host Training on Lithium-Ion Battery Emergencies

COBLESKILL — The Schoharie County Office of Emergency Services, in conjunction with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, will host a specialized training seminar focused on the rising dangers of lithium-ion battery and electrical storage system emergencies.

The two-hour course, titled "Battery Emergencies and Electrical Storage Systems," is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.. The session will be held at the Cobleskill Fire Department, located at 610 East Main St.

The curriculum is designed for all emergency responders and provides critical information on the construction, common uses, and specific hazards associated with lithium-ion technology. Participants will receive guidance on the necessary firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) required for safe response, as well as strategies for incident coordination and hazard mitigation.

A portion of the training will specifically address emergency procedures for lithium-ion battery vehicles, offering recommendations for handling these complex incidents.

Registration is currently open and will remain available until the day of the event, May 7. The course has a capacity of 150 seats.

Prospective students are required to provide a Training Authorization Letter (TAL) as a prerequisite for attendance. State officials noted that all TALs must be uploaded into the Learning Management System (LMS) for all Office of Fire Prevention and Control classes.

Registration can be completed online through the state training portal.