Pelagic Safety
Real-World Training for Real Energy Risks
We prepare fire departments, first responders, and energy operators to safely handle lithium-ion battery and solar-related incidents — before they become catastrophic.
Energy infrastructure is evolving fast. Safety protocols haven't kept up.
Pelagic Safety bridges that gap by delivering practical, field-tested training designed specifically for utility scale solar projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS) — not outdated, generalized fire training.
We don't just teach theory.
We prepare teams for what actually happens in the field.
Renewable Safety Landscape
As utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems continue to expand, the need for specialized emergency response preparedness has become increasingly critical.
Several organizations contribute to renewable energy safety through engineering analysis, research, or product-specific training. These efforts play an important role in advancing safety standards across the industry.
However, most existing solutions focus on design-phase risk assessment, research, or limited-scope training, and do not fully address the operational challenges faced by emergency responders at utility-scale renewable energy facilities.
Pelagic Safety was developed to address this gap.
Our program focuses on the operational realities of responding to incidents involving utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure, including both solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The Pelagic Safety Program
We partner with energy developers, utilities, and local jurisdictions to ensure everyone involved — from permitting to emergency response — is aligned, trained, and ready.
Our Experience & Training Approach
Anyone can talk safety. Very few can train it the right way.
At the core of our program is Rick Reed, an ARFF Specialist, Fire Captain, and fireground operations expert, who brings over 40 years of hands-on experience in OSHA compliance, NFPA standards, and high-hazard fireground response.
Rick's background in aviation firefighting and complex incident response includes extensive experience with a wide range of fire suppression methods and agents, giving him a deep understanding of how different approaches perform across varying incident types.
This brings a level of real-world credibility and expertise that is rarely found in this industry.
Rick has spent his career not just studying fire behavior — but responding to it, leading teams through it, and training others to handle it correctly under pressure. That experience shapes everything we do.
What Our Program Delivers
- Frontline fire service experience
- Modern energy infrastructure knowledge (solar, BESS, inverters)
- Hands-on, scenario-based training — including live burn exercises
- Direct engagement with AHJs and fire departments nationwide
What That Means for Our Clients
- Training built from real incidents and real response scenarios, not theory
- A deep understanding of how fire departments actually operate in the field
- Programs aligned with OSHA and NFPA standards
- The ability to bridge the gap between developers and first responders
A training program that is:
This isn't check-the-box safety.
This is preparation that holds up when it matters most.
Why It Matters
Battery and solar incidents aren't traditional fires. They require a completely different approach — and mistakes are expensive.
Pelagic Safety helps you:
- Reduce risk to personnel and assets
- Avoid permitting delays and local opposition
- Improve relationships with fire departments and AHJs
- Demonstrate proactive risk management to insurers and stakeholders
- Prevent costly incidents before they happen
When an Incident Occurs
A plan on paper doesn't stop a thermal runaway event. Training does.
Our programs are built to ensure:
- First responders understand the hazards
- Site teams know their role
- Decisions are made correctly, under pressure
Insurance & Risk Management Advantage
As solar and BESS expand, insurers emphasize proactive risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and documented response capability. Pelagic Safety aligns directly with these underwriting priorities.
- Stronger Underwriting Profile
Demonstrates proactive risk management through trained personnel, coordinated emergency response, and site-specific planning.
- Favorable Insurance Positioning
Supports more competitive carrier engagement, improved renewal discussions, and reduced exposure to adverse pricing.
- Reduced Loss Exposure
Improves response effectiveness, helping limit the severity and impact of fire-related incidents.
- Proven Risk Management Impact
Industry data shows that formal safety programs can reduce insured loss costs and, in some cases, support 5–10% premium improvements in applicable lines such as workers' compensation.
Pelagic Safety positions your projects as actively managed risks — not passive exposures — enhancing both safety performance and long-term insurance outcomes.
Who This Is For
Renewable Energy Developers
Solar and BESS project developers
Utilities & EPCs
Utilities and EPC contractors
Fire Departments
Fire departments and emergency response teams
Municipalities & AHJs
Local jurisdictions and authorities
Non-Utility Generators
Factories, commercial buildings, and data centers
If you're developing or operating solar or BESS assets, safety isn't optional — and neither is preparation.
Let's get ahead of the risk.
Contact Pelagic Safety to build a program tailored to your projects.