AFTER THE FIRE PODCAST EPISODE 6 Part II: THE 2019 McMICKEN EXPLOSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2021 Contact: Donna Clark 240-723-0615   AFTER THE FIRE PODCAST EPISODE 6 Part II: THE 2019 McMICKEN EXPLOSION AND NEAR MISS INCIDENT OF SURPRISE ARIZONA   SURPRISE, AZ - The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, in collaboration with Firefighterskills.com, LLC, announces Episode 6 Part II: The 2019 McMicken Explosion and Near Miss Incident of Surprise, Arizona. This episode will be available on March 29, 2021 at www.afterthepodcast.com.   Surprise Fire-Medical Captain and Paramedic Shawn Marty recounts the 2019 lithium ion battery plant explosion that resulted in several near misses. His ability to recall the specifics of this unfortunate experience over a year later speaks to the lasting impact of this event. This is an amazing story of survival and bravery not to be missed.   Joining Captain Marty are National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Director of Fire Programs, Chief John Tippett; Surprise Fire-Medical Chief, Tom Abbott; Peoria FD Fire Chief, Bobby Ruiz; and Surprise Fire-Medical Fire Marshall, Keith Tanner. This is an inspiring episode that shines light on emerging technology such as lithium ion battery energy storage that we do not necessarily understand. How do we mitigate these unknowns?   From the host, Jon Nelson: “In Episode 5, we discuss the 2019 McMicken Explosion and Near Miss Incident of Surprise, Arizona where multiple first responders were blasted over 75 feet as a result of an explosion of a lithium ion battery energy storage facility. With these emerging technologies, we often do not a) have the answers, b) have the up to the minute fire code that addresses the problem, and/or c) have the subject matter experts on hand to mitigate the issue. Listening to Captain Marty as he outlines his reliance on tried and true practices to manage a dangerous unknown: one of our more enlightening interviews to date.”   The mission of the After The Fire Podcast (https://www.afterthefirepodcast.com) is to reduce the number of preventable fireground fatalities by learning from the unintended outcomes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and near misses, through intimate conversations with those connected to the incidents and subject matter experts. The After The Fire Podcast is geared toward professional and aspiring firefighters and their families. The podcasts are suitable for all ages.   Episode 5 has reached thousands of listeners via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube to date.   What Folks Are Saying:   “This was great therapy. I’m glad I did it. This has been a long time coming.”      - Tom Bates, Retired Fire Captain, Phoenix Fire Department & Guest, ATF Episodes 3 & 4   “After The Fire Podcast was an excellent experience being able to share one of the worst days of our lives. Thank you for your dedication.”      - Doreen Strickland, Abbott Volunteer FD Union President & Guest of #Remember   “I love the history and the production is certainly professional.”      - Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief at Spokane Fire Department   “After The Fire Podcast provides a great opportunity for current & future Incident Commanders to learn some good foreground procedures from some very experienced Fire Officers.”      - Kenneth Galligan, Retired Fire Chief of Brockton, MA   “I think anyone who has their eyes open in the industry will listen, enjoy listening, and get something out of it. I was amazed at the history and the number of things I didn’t know like how a second alarm was notified back then.”      - Eric Hagman, Retired Dover Fire Chief   From the Host, Jon Nelson: “I started After The Fire Podcast to answer the questions that are in the minds of all firefighters reading NIOSH LODD Reports. What were the perspectives of the firefighters there? What were they experiencing? With the help of family, friends, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation we’ve created a podcast that not only answers these questions, but gives the people connected to the incident a platform and honors our fallen brethren.”   Fans of the After The Fire Podcast can contact theafterthefirepodcast@gmail.com via email, @AfterTheFirePo1 on Twitter, and @AfterTheFirePodcast on Facebook and Instagram to provide feedback and ideas for the podcast or to become a guest on the show. To listen to the podcast, visit Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or https://www.afterthefirepodcast.com.   We look forward to future episodes covering industry changing Line-of-Duty Death and Near Miss events from Charleston, West Virginia; Columbus, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; New York City, NewYork, and more.   Take care of yourself; take care of each other; and we’ll see you After The Fire!     # # # #   About the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the non-profit Foundation has developed and expanded programs that fulfill that mandate. Our mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives, and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. https://www.firehero.org.   About FirefighterSkills.com, LLC Firefighterskills.com is for professional and aspiring firefighters alike. Their mission is to bridge the gap between national performance-based skills curriculum, the firefighting educators modeling performance-based skills, and the firefighters and cadets mastering their craft. The overarching objectives to meet this mission are 1) to encourage progressive conversations amongst firefighters, 2) to implement lessons learned in continuing education, and 3) to cultivate continuity in the firefighting industry via state-of-the-art interactive training modules. https://www.firefighterskills.com/about-1.   About Jon Nelson, Host of After The Fire Podcast Jon Nelson, M. Ed, is the President of Firefighterskills.com, LLC. He currently holds the rank of Fire Engineer in Austin, TX, and has served as a Firefighter/Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for nearly a decade. Along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from West Virginia University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University, Nelson is also a Level III Master Fire Instructor in the State of Texas and has nearly 20 years of experience as an educator of first responders, health care workers, cadets, and civilian students of all ages. Residing in Austin, TX, Jon is happily married with two amazing sons. https://www.afterthefirepodcast.com.