First Responder Safety Training for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Module Description:

This training was created to educate first responders on the hazards of electric, hybrid, fuel cell, and other alternative fuel vehicles applying to collisions, fires, floods, and more. These materials were used in a four hour first responders training workshop developed by START (specialized training in advanced rescue techniques) and funded by the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT). Included in the module are two PowerPoint presentations and a flier for the workshop.

Module Contents:

Presentation one is concentrated on the hazards present when working with electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles. Students are first given a basic outline on the operation of various hybrid electric (series and parallel), fuel cell, and electric vehicles and the high voltage components (battery packs, controllers, converter/inverters, wiring sheaves, and motors) integrated into their systems. Discussed next are certain indicators to distinguish electrically driven vehicles from conventional gas vehicles such as badges, instrument panel, special venting, external plugs, and the “READY” light. After these indicators are identified students are then presented real world scenarios and introduced to the associated procedures to disable high voltage components when responding. Additional precautions discussed are Class 0 gloves used when working with high voltage, identifying and extinguishing chemical fires, and special towing procedures.

Presentation two follows the structure of the first presentation, but discusses the risks when dealing with vehicles using alternative fuels such as compressed air, E85, diesel, hydraulic hybrids, propane, and natural gas. These risks are typically high pressure canisters and flammable liquids or gases. Additional safety procedures will need to be followed with these vehicles such as locating fuel shut off valves, choosing correct fire retardants, and using a strategic angle of approach if the vehicle temperature was elevated.