Where firefighters come to talk training

Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

With gas prices on the continual rise (estimated to be at $4 a gallon by summer), coupled with the amount of money invested by car manufacturers in the R&D of Hybrid and Alternative fuel vehicles, it is certain that these vehicles will start to become more mainstream in the near future.

The question now becomes - what is your department doing to address the issue? Do you have SOPs and training in place to educate your firefighters and provide a working knowledge of these vehicles? Are your personnel aware of the dangers they actually present and those they do not?

Let’s utilize this group to bring a better understanding of these vehicles to our fellow emergency responders and flush out any misunderstandings that exist. Please feel free to share any experiences you have had with hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles and what you learned from it. I will be posting information in the near future to assist responders in sorting through the information out there but in the meantime let’s start up a dialog about what everybody’s concerns are and address any questions that are floating around out there.

Stay Safe,

Jason

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brandon Friend on March 5, 2009 at 12:02pm

Doug,
Do you know where i can get a copy of the power point presentation for the hybrid vehicles. If you have a copy my Email is Klamathfiredist3@yahoo.com
Thanks
Brandon
EMS Chief
KCFD #3

Doug Leihbacher said:

Jason-
Glad you started this discussion about this timely issue. The Seattle Fire Department has put together an outstanding power point about the hazards associated with CNG vehicles. They experienced an incendiary CNG vehicle fire that caused a cylinder to bleve. It is available through their web page.
Regarding hybrids, are you aware of any firefighter hazards associated with car fires in those vehicles?
Stay safe,
Doug

Permalink Reply by Jason Emery on March 5, 2009 at 2:42pm

Brandon,

I have that PowerPoint. I will send it over to you shortly.

Stay safe,

Jason Emery

Permalink Reply by Bobby Pitman on March 25, 2009 at 8:21am

This is a Hybrid Safety Sequence which I teach in classes here in Florida. It always helps me to have a little memory aid for these kinds of things.

IS A TOAD – Memory Aid
I – Identify vehicle as a hybrid
S – Stabilize to avoid rolling {vertical / horizontal}
A – Access your patient
T – Transmission needs to be put in Park
O – Off {Make sure the key is turned off & gone}
A – Assure the ready {green} light goes off
D – Disconnect the 12 volt battery after using the electricity to your advantage

Bobby Pitman

Permalink Reply by Jason Emery on June 10, 2009 at 11:54am

Hello All,

Just and FYI we have added the ERGs to the new 2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan as well the Dodge Durango/Chrylser Aspen to our website:

Durango/Aspen Guide

Also there is a link to the FEs Extrication Zone review of the Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.

Stay Safe,

Jason

Permalink Reply by joergheck on June 26, 2009 at 7:27am

Jason,

there is also an update guide availble from Honda (2010 Honda Insight).

Regards
Jorg

Permalink Reply by Jason Emery on July 1, 2009 at 10:41am

Joerg,

Thanks for pointing that out. I have added that to the listing on the previously noted page.

Stay Safe,

Jason

Joerg Heck said:

Jason,

there is also an update guide availble from Honda (2010 Honda Insight).

Regards
Jorg

Permalink Reply by joergheck on August 11, 2009 at 8:56am

Jason,

new Lexus ERGs available (HS and RX), Prius III should be there soon as well.

Regards
Jorg

Permalink Reply by Jason Emery on August 11, 2009 at 11:09am

Thanks Joerg...those were added to that link....just waiting for the Prius 3rd generation as well.

Jason

Joerg Heck said:

Jason,

new Lexus ERGs available (HS and RX), Prius III should be there soon as well.

Regards
Jorg

Permalink Reply by joergheck on October 23, 2009 at 2:35pm

3rd generation Prius ERG is online.

Regards
Jorg

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