S.A.F.E. Solar And Fire Education
Training built by firefighters, for firefighters.
S.A.F.E. Solar And Fire Education
Training built by firefighters, for firefighters.
Training for today's energy systems
Solar arrays, home batteries, EVs, and large-scale energy storage systems are now common on the modern fireground. These technologies introduce electrical, structural, and chemical hazards that require updated size-up, tactical adjustments, and a clear understanding of how PV and lithium-ion systems behave under fire conditions.
SAFE training gives firefighters the operational knowledge to work safely around:
- Residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems
- Home and commercial energy storage systems (ESS)
- Electric vehicles, scooters, and e-bikes
- Utility-scale solar farms
- Large battery energy storage systems (BESS)
The program focuses on real scenarios and practical decision-making — from hazard identification to suppression considerations and post-fire operations. Departments also receive editable Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to help them update or build response plans tailored to their district and apparatus capabilities.
Meet Captain Richard Birt
Captain Richard Birt is a decorated 30-year veteran of the fire service who retired from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, where he responded to thousands of incidents and trained countless firefighters. As solar and battery systems spread into every neighborhood, he saw a growing knowledge gap — and the risk it posed to the crews arriving on scene.
He founded SAFE to solve that problem. Combining his fireground experience, his technical background with solar and ESS systems, and his disaster-relief work installing microgrids after Hurricane Maria, Captain Birt created a training program built to match the realities firefighters face today.