Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 2, 2024 Retired Everett Fire Capt. designs device to battle EV fi res By Tara Vocino L ike many fi refi ghters, a fi refi ghting passion runs in Gerry O’Hearn’s family. The retired Everett Fire Captain may not work in Everett anymore, but he hasn’t stopped thinking of the industry. The Peabody resident has invented what he calls a “Gerry Pipe” to safely neutralize electric vehicle fi res by cooling the battery down to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. O’Hearn’s neighbor, Jamie Jalbert, made a pipe designed to be placed underneath the engine from a safe distance to apply 300 gallons of water per minute, once connected to a fi re hydrant. O’Hearn displayed that outside of his home last O’Hearn displayed his helmet from his 35-year tenure alongside his father, Joseph. Friday afternoon. While Jalbert made the device, O’Hearn designed it. “It took me about a month working on a patent, which would initially cost about $30,000.” In addition to the pipe, to design it,” O’Hearn said. “I’m O’Hearn teaches a safety course to protect fi refi ghters. “The old can help the young,” O’Hearn said. “You have to be a team player.” According to O’Hearn, the mechanism can be assembled in three minutes due to the long distance of the pipe. He garnered the items from antique stores. His father, Joseph, worked for the department for 35 years. Gerry was the Captain of Engine 2 Hancock Street Station GERRY’S PIPE DREAM: Retired Everett Fire Capt. Gerry O’Hearn displays photos of the water fl ow that goes under the electric car and fi refi ghters cooling the battery down. O’Hearn is working on a patent so fi refi ghters can battle electric vehicle fi res which can burn for hours. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) for 20 years. He came up with the idea after reading a newspaper article where fi refi ghters weren’t well informed on how to extinguish electric vehicle fi res. For information, call 617771-0632. Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882 JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Retired Everett Fire Captain Gerry O’Hearn held a photo of what an electric car battery looks like last Friday afternoon in front of his Peabody home. O’Hearn stands with the “Gerry Pipe.” (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) O’Hearn kneels by the hose that goes underneath the engine. Gerry O’Hearn demonstrated the water that will extinguish an electric car fi re.
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