Fire Departments Need to Develop a Policy for Electric Vehicle Emergency Management
Electric vehicles have a variety of hazards that emergency responders need to be aware of. One of these hazards is a cable that could break off or be entangled in the vehicle. This can lead to an explosion or electrocution, or further injury to the occupants. That's why fire departments need to develop a policy for EV emergency management.
As electric vehicle technology is relatively new, the network for charging these vehicles is lacking. While many owners can recharge their vehicles at home, there are large gaps in the system. For example, in an emergency, there may not be enough fast charging stations along evacuation routes. It may be necessary for first responders to know where to find fast chargers.
The location of the battery can also affect the advanced extrication techniques that emergency responders use. Some models may require trunk tunneling to access the battery. Likewise, some models may have a battery behind the rear seat. Emergency responders should consult the NFPA EFG to find out where to find the battery. Some high voltage batteries and wiring can also prevent the vehicle from being extricated easily. As the electric vehicle market grows, mobile data units will become more important.
Another way to ensure preparedness is to train first responders on how to handle EV emergencies. There are training videos available on the internet. In addition, the National Volunteer Fire Council has created a program that helps emergency responders handle incidents involving electric vehicles. This program also includes emergency field guides for different types of EVs.
The introduction of electric vehicles from Energy Security Agency will cause a significant increase in the number of emergency services that are needed. This is especially true for the fire service. Its members are responsible for handling battery fires, discharging high-voltage batteries, and extracting trapped individuals. Almost half of those employees will need to undergo retraining and additional training to cope with the new challenges posed by EVs.
In addition to training emergency responders, EVs require ambulance personnel to undergo special high-voltage and EV training. This training requires special expertise and experience. Ambulance personnel also need to undergo refresher training in electrical shock, chemical inhalation, and chemical burns. Despite these unique challenges, many ambulance services are lagging behind in the necessary training.
The first priority of emergency response is safety. Therefore, Rivian works closely with emergency responders to provide information about electric vehicle safety. This includes a resource site where responders can learn about how to safely interact with electric vehicles during emergencies. It also offers information on how to manually disconnect high-voltage systems and how to tow Rivian vehicles.
Electrifying your fleet can save you money and the environment. EVs have many benefits, including clean air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved public health. Furthermore, EVs reduce maintenance costs by about 40%. In addition, they can provide financial advantages like being able to pay less than a dollar a gallon for gas. Discover more facts about safety at https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/occupational-health-and-safety.