Hurricanes Helene and Milton are revealing a shocking twist in the storm drama: the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs). First responders, already stretched thin, are now facing the fiery potential of these batteries when exposed to saltwater. With the risk of “thermal runaway” lurking, firefighters must adapt their tactics, as traditional methods fall short against EV blazes that burn hotter and faster than ordinary fires.

As EVs become more popular, this emerging challenge underscores the need for better safety measures and training. Who knew storm prep would now include learning how to handle fiery batteries?

Check out the full article here from Grist.

The Latest

• Family reunites with South Bay firefighter who saved them - NBC Bay Area

• Denver Assistant Chief fired after taking assault rifle to park - The Denver Post

• Hurricane Milton hit Florida with a never-before-seen tornado outbreak. Here’s why - South Florida Sun Sentinel

• Helene and Milton reveal an emerging challenge for first responders: EV batteries catching fire - Grist

Fuel

Fed up with the daily “What’s for dinner?” interrogation?

Your culinary lifesaver has arrived! Check out this delicious, protein-packed Steak & Shishito Peppers dish. You can watch the recipe video here and download the printable PDF with the instructions and grocery list below.

Grind

Do you know your current fitness baseline?

… or are you just relying on the ‘I’ll figure it out as I go’ strategy?

A baseline workout is like your fitness report card, showing how out of shape you are before you start pretending to be an Olympic athlete. By tracking your performance over time, you’ll see if you’re progressing or just getting better at avoiding the gym.

Now, let’s talk about Tabata! It’s like the ‘speed dating’ of workouts: 20 seconds of intense exercise (think of it as your body screaming for mercy) followed by 10 seconds of rest (a.k.a. your ‘what have I done?’ moment). You repeat this cycle for 8 rounds, which totals a whopping 4 minutes—just enough time to question all your life choices while burning calories! LET’S GO!

*For each exercise, keep track of your reps per round, and reps total. For the cardio portion, track the calories given by the machine you choose.

Lead

"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice." — Brian Herbert

Let’s face it: life can feel like a never-ending sprint, especially when you're juggling work, family, and everything in between. Nihar Chhaya’s article, “How to Keep Learning at Work — Even When You Feel Fried,” serves up five energizing strategies to keep your brain buzzing and your career flourishing, even on the most exhausting days

1. Challenge Your Inner Doubt

We all have that little voice in our heads that says, “You can’t learn anything right now; you’re too tired.” It’s time to send that voice packing! Instead of letting exhaustion dictate your limits, embrace your fatigue without judgment. Imagine this as a training drill: acknowledge your tiredness, then shift your focus. Ask yourself, “What can I learn today that will help me grow?” This shift can reignite your passion and open up new learning opportunities.

2. Start with the Most Relevant Topics

Just like prioritizing which fire to extinguish first, tackle topics that relate to your immediate challenges. If decision-making is a struggle during high-pressure situations, dive into resources that will help you sharpen those skills. The more relevant the topic, the more motivated you’ll be to learn. You’ll find yourself soaking up knowledge faster than a sponge in a water bucket!

3. Ditch the Formal Learning Model

Who says learning has to come from a formal program? Think outside the box! Grab a coffee with a mentor or join a knowledge-sharing session with your colleagues. Learning doesn’t have to be stiff and academic; it can be as casual as swapping stories around the firehouse. Real-world experiences often teach you more than any textbook ever could.

4. Connect with Your Values

Learning becomes a joy when it resonates with what you truly care about. Reflect on what drives you—whether it’s helping your community or being the best team member you can be. When your learning aligns with your values, it transforms from a chore into a thrilling adventure. You'll find yourself diving into new subjects with excitement rather than dread.

5. Work with Your Brain, Not Against It

Your brain is a powerful tool—treat it like one! Instead of cramming information, try techniques like spaced repetition, which helps reinforce what you’ve learned. Break down complex ideas, review them regularly, and engage with the content creatively—maybe by discussing it with colleagues or applying it in real scenarios. The more you connect with what you learn, the stickier it becomes.

You can purchase the full article from Harvard Business Review here.

Trivia

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