First Responders Prepare For Chevy Volt
Police, fire and EMS crews have begun learning how to deal with accidents involving electric vehicles.
Chevrolet and Onstar, working with the National Fire Protection Association have put together a course that will teach first responders how to deal with accidents involving the Chevrolet Volt electric car.
"There's really no substitute for training and education and really comfort and confidence in approaching the vehicle and the steps to go through," said Gay Kent, Chevrolet's safety director.
First responders from throughout Michigan are gathering at Oakland Community College for the first courses. General Motors plans similar courses in big electric vehicle markets like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, New York and Washington.
"We want to have first responders and firefighters as comfortable and confident working on an electric vehicle as they are a conventional vehicle," said Kent, in an interview with WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.
Chevy safety experts brought a new Volt, and one that had been cut apart, to show first responders the place where they can cut.
Southfield Fire Battalion Chief Keith Rowley said that his crews face dangers any time they approach a vehicle involved in a crash. The addition of electric vehicles to the road, just brings with it new potential hazards.
"When they are approaching a vehicle they always have to be aware," said Rowley. "They just have to understand now that there are different fuel sources out there."
The Volt, and other electric vehicles have safety systems that turn off the electricity in an accident. But, Rowley says it's good for first responders to know as much about new vehicles and new systems as possible.
"There's always concern with new technology," he said. "We want to make sure our personnel are equipped to handle any situation that they come up against."
Chevrolet has put the first responder information on line. You can access it by following this link.
Follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @jefferygilbert
