Watch: Bringing BESS into Communities

CESAT chats with Chief Robert Rezende. Robert Rezende holds multiple roles with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), specializing in hazardous materials (Hazmat) and emerging technologies like lithium-ion batteries. His primary job functions include:

-Battalion Chief: He oversees fire and emergency operations in this leadership capacity.

-Hazmat Program Manager: He manages and develops the SDFD’s Hazardous Incident Response Team. This role involves responding to hazmat incidents and training other first responders across California. Alternative Energy Emergency Response Coordinator: A role created specifically for Rezende due to the increasing frequency of lithium-ion battery fires, he serves as a technical advisor to other agencies on these specific hazards.

-National Expert and Trainer: He is a nationally recognized expert in lithium-ion battery fires and often shares his knowledge with public safety agencies and industry panels. -Committee Member: He is a member of the FIRESCOPE Task Force, a statewide command and control system for managing multi-agency incidents. He also sits on the FIRESCOPE Lithium-Ion Battery Subcommittee. Key career highlights Response to Major Incidents: He has been deployed as a Hazmat Specialist for the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) team for natural disasters and assisted the EPA as a lithium-ion battery expert during the Maui fires. Long-time Service: He began his career with the SDFD in 2007 and has been a member of the Hazmat team since 2008, holding positions of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Chief.