**VIDEO RELEASE B-ROLL**

CFO Patronis Assesses Fire Response Activities Related to EVs

Collier County, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis joined North Collier Fire Rescue to assess response activities related to Hurricane Ian. During a tour of the region, the fire department responded to a fire by an electric vehicle (EV). Watch b-roll HERE. 

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “There are many EVs in Southwest Florida, and unlike a normal gas engine, saltwater corrodes those lithium batteries causing fires. While EVs are nothing new, there hasn’t been a lot of experience throughout the nation related to EVs catching fire as a result of salty, storm surge water. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently coordinating with area fire teams to see whether additional assistance is needed from the State to respond to these potential fires.”