UL Research Institutes and its Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) have announced a new version of the free online training course Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Family Single-Story Residential Structures on the Fire Safety Academy.
The updated training course reflects findings from full-scale burn experiments and adds three tactical considerations to the original Search & Rescue course.
One lesson covers simultaneous exterior and interior suppression operations when crews arrive to a fully developed fire with extension to the exterior and sufficient resources are available.
A second lesson covers local ventilation in compartments remote from the fire area, including pre suppression isolation of the compartment before ventilation.
A third lesson covers hydraulic ventilation immediately after suppression to increase the rate at which combustion gases exhaust from the structure.
New materials for officers and instructors
FSRI said the updated course also includes ready-to-use materials for training officers and instructors.
These include five scenario based drill sheets designed to reinforce decision making and coordination across search scenarios and victim removal.
The updated materials also include time-to-task sheets to track how long crews take to complete actions such as forcing entry, a single-room search and drag-and-carry.
Discussion guides have also been added to support post-drill or informal conversation intended to reinforce learning and improve retention.
Meghan Maloney, manager of education and training for the Fire Safety Research Institute, said: “The re-launch of this course builds on years of research and ongoing collaboration with the fire service to meet their training needs.
“On the fireground, every decision and every minute matters, and our free training helps firefighters at all levels be better prepared to make smarter, safer decisions that influence occupant survivability and firefighter safety.”
The course states that firefighters who complete it will learn how isolation and ventilation affect occupant survivability and firefighter safety, how the timing of suppression actions affects search and rescue operations, and how removal tactics and timing may influence survivability.
The Fire Safety Academy also provides free self-paced training on topics including fire dynamics, firefighting tactics, firefighter health, lithium-ion batteries and WUI fires.
The updated course adds new lessons and training materials to the existing search and rescue programme.
Dr Lori Moore-Merrell has joined UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute as Principal Fire Safety Strategist after serving as US Fire Administrator from 2021 to 2025.
UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) announced the appointment in a LinkedIn post.
In the role, Moore-Merrell guides research strategy and international reach.
Her work includes global fire safety collaboration, risk assessment methodologies and emerging technology adoption.
FSRI said her role also includes leadership in the World Fire Congress Communities of Practice and support for the newly formed US Wildland Fire Service.
Background to the Fire Administrator appointment
According to FSRI’s published biography, Moore-Merrell oversaw the launch of NERIS during her time as US Fire Administrator.
She also co-chaired the Commission on Wildfire Mitigation and Management and founded the Inaugural World Fire Congress.
Before that post, she served as President and CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute.
The biography states that she also spent 25 years at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) as Chief Executive of Research and Data Analytics.
Moore-Merrell holds a Doctorate in Public Health focused on Emergency Response System Quality Performance Metrics and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Lori Moore-Merrell sets out priorities
In a LinkedIn post, Moore-Merrell said she was joining a team focused on linking rigorous science with practical use in communities.
She said wildfire resilience needs policy that moves at the pace of the threat and that the global fire service needs research that translates into practice on the ground.
Moore-Merrell also said the global fire safety community is ready for deeper collaboration and shared leadership.
UL Research Institutes promotes battery safety with Take C.H.A.R.G.E.
UL Research Institutes has launched its Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety guidance on lithium-ion powered devices as holiday technology gifting and travel increase in the US.
The organisation noted that lithium-ion batteries now power smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, electric vehicles, power tools, toys and home energy systems.
According to UL Standards & Engagement, an average of two flights per week experienced lithium-ion battery incidents in 2024.
The data also showed that most travellers carry four lithium-ion battery-powered devices, with smartphones carried by 81% of passengers, laptops by 40%, wireless headphones by 38% and tablets by 35%.
UL Research Institutes reported that 50% of Americans say they do not know anything about lithium-ion batteries.
It added that 60% of travellers remain unaware of how common lithium-ion batteries are in everyday devices and of the dangers linked to damaged, counterfeit or improperly charged products.
The organisation stated that lithium-ion batteries store energy more densely than traditional batteries, and that damaged, overheated or improperly charged units can be at risk of catching fire.
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. campaign on battery safety
UL Research Institutes said the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety campaign is designed to improve public understanding of lithium-ion risks at home and in transit environments.
Nicole Sanders, Public Education Lead for UL Research Institutes, said: “Recent spikes in lithium-ion battery incidents in transit environments have underscored the need to expand public education.
“To improve public safety, we’ve developed clear guidelines for how to ‘Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Battery Safety’ at home and on-the-go using best practices informed by response data and firefighter testimonials.”
The organisation explained that the guidance sets out practical steps for handling, charging and storing lithium-ion devices.
It added that the campaign emphasises keeping devices visible when charging, particularly while travelling.
UL Research Institutes also highlighted the need to keep lithium-ion battery-powered devices out of checked luggage.
The campaign frames the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. actions as an interconnected set of measures rather than standalone tips.
Key Take C.H.A.R.G.E. safety messages
UL Research Institutes advised that users should choose lithium-ion battery-powered devices that have been certified by a nationally recognised testing laboratory so they meet defined safety requirements.
The organisation recommended that people follow manufacturer instructions, use the charger supplied with the device, avoid modifying batteries or chargers and charge only in locations away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and flammable materials.
It added that devices should never be charged under pillows, blankets or inside bags and that users should unplug devices at home and check size limits set by transit providers before travelling.
UL Research Institutes stated that people should regularly inspect devices for swelling, punctures, unusual sounds such as hissing or popping, excess heat, unfamiliar odours or white or grey wispy smoke, which indicates immediate fire danger.
If these warning signs appear, the organisation said users should unplug the device immediately, stop using it and keep it in sight when travelling or charging.
It advised that lithium-ion battery-powered devices and gifts should not be placed in checked bags.
The organisation said that devices and batteries must not be placed in public rubbish bins or abandoned when travelling and that recycling routes should be used instead.
UL Research Institutes explained that if there is a fire, people at home should follow their escape plan, leave immediately, shut doors behind them and call 9-1-1.
It recommended that people create and practise a home escape plan and, in public spaces such as transit hubs, identify exits and escape routes so they can evacuate quickly and alert authorities if a device shows warning signs.
The organisation stated that people gifting battery-powered devices should share the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. guidance, encourage safe charging and travel practices and remind travel companions to keep devices in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags.
UL Research Institutes noted that the full Take C.H.A.R.G.E. guidance is presented as a set of linked steps which reinforce one another, and that following them can reduce risk in homes and workplaces, with further information available at batteryfiresafety.org.
Southern California Fires timeline report released
UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) has released the Southern California Fires Timeline Report, documenting wildfire progression and early response across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in January 2025.
The Phase One report is the first of two studies commissioned by the Office of the Governor of California after fires between 7 and 31 January caused 32 confirmed deaths as of Monday 29 September 2025, nearly 38,000 acres burned and tens of billions of dollars in property losses.
FSRI reports that Phase One focuses on the two most destructive incidents, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which together account for 31 of the 32 confirmed fatalities.
The report concentrates on preparedness and the first operational period of these incidents, tracing events from just before ignition of the Palisades Fire at 10:30 PST on Tuesday 7 January 2025 to the morning of Wednesday 8 January 2025.
FSRI notes that the report also summarises ten further fires across the same period that affected resources while the Palisades and Eaton Fires burned.
According to the organisation, Phase One is intended to provide a detailed factual record that will underpin a second analysis report examining wider causes and systems.
Severe drought and rare PDS warning
FSRI sets the fires against a backdrop of severe drought in Southern California during late 2024 and early January 2025, with live fuel moisture in key vegetation types falling to critically low levels.
Vegetation such as chamise, sage, ceanothus and sagebrush had dried to the point that any ignition under strong winds carried a high likelihood of rapid spread.
The National Weather Service issued escalating fire weather outlooks in the days before 7 January, culminating in a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for that date.
FSRI explains that this form of alert is rare and reserved for combinations of extreme wind, heat and low humidity that can turn new ignitions into fast-moving wildfires.
The Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains created narrow corridors that accelerated downslope Santa Ana winds arriving during the driest part of the winter period.
Those winds grounded firefighting aircraft at times, toppled trees and pushed embers far ahead of flame fronts, according to the report.
FSRI highlights that development patterns in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre place dense neighbourhoods on steep slopes where homes, vehicles and exterior materials can act as fuel once fire reaches the urban edge.
The report concludes that these environmental and built-environment conditions combined to create the potential for wildfires to transition quickly into urban conflagrations.
Palisades Fire moves from hillsides to neighbourhoods
According to FSRI, the Palisades Fire began on Tuesday 7 January at 10:30 PST in vegetation north of the Pacific Palisades community, just above the urban interface.
Within minutes, strong winds carried embers downhill and across ridges, creating multiple ignitions in brush and ornamental landscaping near homes.
FSRI records that structural involvement was already apparent during the first hour, indicating a shift from a mainly wildland fire to wind-driven fire spread within the built environment.
Throughout 7 January, the fire moved through neighbourhoods including the Alphabet Streets, the Summit, Ridgeview Country Estates and communities along West Sunset Boulevard.
Steep canyons and wind channels accelerated flame spread as the fire advanced towards Malibu.
Firefighters operated in conditions of reduced visibility, falling power lines and limited water pressure where damaged pipes caused uncontrolled water loss.
Aircraft support was intermittently unavailable due to dangerous wind conditions that prevented safe flying.
FSRI states that despite extensive efforts to defend structures, the Palisades Fire destroyed homes and commercial buildings and led to large-scale evacuations.
By the evening of 7 January and into the early hours of 8 January, structure-to-structure spread dominated fire behaviour, with embers igniting rooftops, vehicles and combustible exteriors well ahead of the main front.
Residential density, fuel-rich construction and prolonged exposure to wind-driven heat intensified progression across parts of Pacific Palisades and neighbouring communities.
FSRI reports that by the morning of Wednesday 8 January, the fire’s advance within the built environment had slowed sufficiently to allow additional resources to consolidate control.
Eaton Fire spreads across foothill communities
The Eaton Fire ignited at 18:18 PST on Tuesday 7 January in steep terrain north of Altadena, within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County Fire Department and bordering areas served by Pasadena Fire Department and the Angeles National Forest.
FSRI notes that ignition occurred under extreme winds, and embers were reported in areas south of the flame front within minutes.
The fire began spreading simultaneously downhill into residential streets and laterally along the foothills between Eaton Canyon, Kinneloa Mesa and Altadena Drive.
Erratic winds produced large ember showers that ignited structures, vehicles and landscaping at distances from the primary burn area.
According to the report, new fires were recorded in several parts of Altadena, including areas near Loma Alta Drive, Woodglen Lane, Carriage House Road and Zane Grey Terrace.
Firefighters attempted block-by-block protection in densely built streets, but rapid fire movement, blocked access routes and widespread embercast limited the scope for intervention.
Between midnight and morning on Wednesday 8 January, the fire expanded west, south and east, reaching Janes Village, La Vina and residential areas near Lake Avenue.
FSRI documents that structure fires multiplied as embers entered attics, vents and combustible exteriors, though crews contained spread in some locations through active defence.
By sunrise, fire activity persisted across multiple Altadena neighbourhoods, with additional movement towards commercial areas near Foothill Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.
FSRI reports that by the morning of 8 January, progression had slowed enough for operations to shift from emergency structure protection towards broader containment.
Law enforcement agencies continued search and rescue work throughout the day because of the large number of affected homes and ongoing smoke conditions.
Ten further fires complicate regional response
In addition to the Palisades and Eaton Fires, FSRI records ten other fires between 7 and 22 January in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
These incidents are listed as the Sunset 1 and Sunset 2 fires, the Hurst Fire, the Woodley Fire, the Olivas Fire, the Lidia Fire, the Kenneth Fire, the Archer Fire, the Auto Fire and the Hughes Fire.
FSRI notes that although individually smaller and less destructive, these fires drew on the same pool of personnel and equipment already committed to the two larger events.
Fire departments across the region had to balance initial attack on new ignitions with ongoing structure defence and evacuation support for the Palisades and Eaton incidents.
The report states that this combination of simultaneous fires increased pressure on regional mutual aid and resource allocation.
Data collection methods and mapping outputs
FSRI explains that the Phase One timeline draws on site visits, interviews with residents and responders, radio communications, written data from agencies, weather records, satellite imagery and camera footage.
Information was also taken from on-the-ground damage assessments, still images, videos, dispatch records, resource requests and resource location data.
Technical discussions with individuals from involved organisations and agencies were used to clarify timelines and reconcile differing accounts.
FSRI compiled high-confidence data points into a central chronological dataset and mapping application to reconstruct the progression of the Palisades and Eaton Fires minute by minute.
The organisation has produced videos showing time-lapse maps of the fires’ presence, along with a spreadsheet of timestamped events made available for viewing.
The report acknowledges limitations due to incomplete or outstanding data requests and records that additional information will be incorporated into Phase Two when available.
FSRI confirms that Phase One does not cover recovery efforts or cause and origin investigations, which are being handled by jurisdictional fire departments with support from federal and state agencies and private contractors.
Phase Two to examine systems and recommendations
FSRI states that Phase One documents what happened during the first operational period of the January 2025 fires.
The forthcoming Southern California Fires Incident Analysis Report, described as Phase Two, will examine why events unfolded as they did.
According to FSRI, the second report will analyse pre-existing conditions in the affected areas, the influence of the built environment on fire behaviour, first responder actions and the capabilities of emergency response agencies to address urban conflagrations.
Phase Two is expected to include detailed recommendations aimed at improving emergency preparedness and response.
FSRI records that these recommendations will be available for implementation by the State of California, local officials and communities.
The organisation notes that releasing the work in two phases is intended to provide the public with information as early as possible while the longer analysis is completed.
Implications of the timeline for urban wildfire planning
The Southern California Fires Timeline Report provides emergency and disaster response managers with a structured account of how wind-driven wildfires transitioned into urban fire spread within hours.
Detailed chronologies for the Palisades and Eaton Fires can support fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers when reviewing deployment strategies for periods of simultaneous wildland and structure fires.
Government departments responsible for hazard planning gain a case study of how drought, low fuel moisture and rare Red Flag warnings aligned with topography and development patterns.
Fire engineering consultants, architects and building services engineers can draw on the report’s focus on built-environment involvement to inform design choices, materials selection and retrofits in high-risk areas.
Facility managers and risk assessors for residential and commercial properties may use the documented structure-to-structure spread, water system challenges and ember exposure patterns to refine local mitigation measures.
Training officers and instructors can adapt the minute-by-minute timelines and mapping outputs into exercises that reflect the operational pace of urban conflagrations under extreme winds.