Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and power tools to electric vehicles and energy storage systems—but are we fighting these fires based on facts or outdated assumptions?

In this episode of Critical Conversations, hosts Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia sit down with Robert Duval of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to discuss the latest research on lithium-ion battery fires and what firefighters, safety professionals, facility managers, and emergency responders need to know.

Together, they explore:

🔥 The newest research findings on lithium-ion battery fire behavior
🔥 Common myths that continue to circulate throughout the fire service
🔥 Thermal runaway and what actually happens during battery failure
🔥 Effective firefighting tactics and responder safety considerations
🔥 Water application, suppression strategies, and emerging best practices
🔥 Lessons learned from real-world incidents and testing

As lithium-ion technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, understanding the science behind these incidents is critical for making informed decisions on the fireground and in the workplace.

Whether you're a firefighter, safety professional, emergency manager, or simply interested in the future of fire protection, this conversation offers evidence-based insights that challenge conventional thinking and highlight where the industry is headed next.

Listen now and join the conversation.

What does it truly mean to honor fallen firefighters and support the families they leave behind?

In this impactful episode of Critical Conversations Podcast, hosted by Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster and Nick Delia of JLN Associates, we sit down with Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), to discuss the powerful mission of honoring America’s fallen heroes and supporting firefighter families through remembrance, healing, and connection.

Victor shares insights into the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the emotional impact these tributes have on surviving families, and why honoring firefighters goes far beyond a ceremony. This conversation dives deep into firefighter legacy preservation, grief support, firefighter mental health, and the importance of community within the fire service.

In this episode, we discuss:
🔥 The mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
🔥 Supporting families after a line-of-duty death
🔥 Firefighter mental health and peer support
🔥 The emotional impact of firefighter memorials
🔥 Preserving the legacy of fallen first responders
🔥 Why remembrance matters in the fire service community

Whether you’re a firefighter, first responder, chief officer, family member, or supporter of the emergency services, this episode is a reminder that sacrifice should never be forgotten and that firefighter families deserve lifelong support.

🎧 Critical Conversations Podcast is proudly hosted by JLN Associates, a leader in industrial safety, emergency response, fire protection, and rescue services. Learn more at:
👉 www.safejln.com

Learn more about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
https://www.firehero.org/

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In this episode of Critical Conversations, we sit down with Chief John Oates, CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute and former Fire Chief of East Hartford, Connecticut.

Chief Oates shares how data-driven decision-making is transforming the fire service, improving responder safety, and shaping the future of emergency response. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and national standards work, he offers practical insights for today’s fire service leaders.

From behavioral health to performance analytics and NFPA committee work, this conversation explores what it takes to lead with clarity in an increasingly complex risk environment.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on leadership, accountability, and the power of data in public safety.