​​Paul Shoemaker, Owner, Next Level Extrication

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From regulation to suppression, the issues surrounding batteries and the fires they can cause have become a major concern in the fire and safety sector.

Throughout his 17-year career with Aurora (CO) Fire Rescue, Paul Shoemaker has served on the technical rescue team, worked as a hazmat technician and become a seasoned firefighter paramedic.

He is also the owner of Next Level Extrication and participates in several advisory panels with UL involving lithium-ion batteries.

Paul’s focus on battery and electric vehicle fires began about 14 years ago when the transition from hybrid to fully electric vehicles was underway.

Collaborating with the likes of Tesla, he identified challenges related to extrication tools and vehicle design, leading to significant improvements for first responders.

This work caught the attention of the NFPA, which led to his involvement in developing training programs for firefighters on electric vehicle extrication.

Over the past four years, Paul has worked with UL and FSRI on lithium-ion battery development, examining fire behavior in vehicles and buildings and addressing the explosive potential of these batteries.

His educational business evolved from these experiences, enabling him to teach firefighters nationwide, sharing invaluable knowledge from leaders in the fire service.

In this class, Paul will share his expertise on the unique challenges and critical safety measures associated with lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle fires

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