**PHOTO & B-ROLL RELEASE**

CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis gives remarks at 2024 Lithium Ion Battery Symposium in Ocala

~ Symposium included controlled lithium ion battery burn demonstration ~

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OCALA, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis gave opening remarks at the 2024 Lithium Ion Battery Symposium hosted at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala. The two-day symposium covers a broad range of lithium ion battery related topics and included a battery burn demonstration to highlight the serious fire risk they pose to Florida communities.

During the 2024 state legislative session, CFO Patronis advocated for the passage of vital measures to develop fire safety standards on lithium-ion battery fires. Those measures authorized the State Fire Marshal’s office, which the CFO oversees, to create rules and regulations to prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in electronic vehicles (EVs) such as scooters, hoverboards, golf carts, and battery-powered cars.

CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Today, I was proud to kick-off the 2024 Lithium Ion Battery Symposium at the State Fire College to continue to lean forward on safety issues surrounding EV's and popular lithium-ion battery powered devices. During the fire burn demonstration today, you could see first-hand how dangerous these batteries can be when compromised, and it's not just the large electric vehicles but the everyday consumer products like phones, tablets, chargers and scooters that are scattered around our homes and offices. These batteries can go into thermal runaway and result in a fire that emits flames, smoke and toxic gases that can cause an explosion and quickly spread throughout a house, apartment, or business. We are also working with our research partners to better understand the health implications of these fires so we can better protect our first responders and firefighters. Big thank you to my State Fire Marshal team, the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center, and all of our partners who attended this weeks symposium. Florida is proud to continue to lead the way in crafting new solutions to new problems like the fire hazards associated with EV’s and lithium-ion batteries.”

In May, the CFO called on Congress to support the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, which would increase safety measures for first responders fighting fires caused by salt-water-compromised lithium-ion battery devices. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing the rule-making process for state lithium-ion battery fire safety standards with two additional rule hearings scheduled in September and November.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).