Chevrolet and OnStar, in a joint effort with The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), kicked off the first in a series of electric vehicle safety training sessions that will take place this fall in cities across the country. First responders participated in a three-hour program to prepare for emergency situations involving electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, an electric vehicle with extended-range capability, available in select markets late this year.
The training hosted in Auburn Hills was the first on this fall’s tour, which will also make stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, New York and Washington, D.C.
“These training sessions provide a valuable opportunity for first responders to prepare for the introduction of this new vehicle technology,” said Chevrolet Safety Director Gay Kent. “The tour allows us to extend our training and education to first responders across the country. Our goal with this program is to help public safety personnel become as comfortable working around electric vehicles as they are with conventional vehicles today.”
Safety trainers delivered presentations covering topics specific to electric vehicles such as power shut-off procedures, lithium ion battery details, locations of high-strength steel and cut points for extrication. In addition, a Volt – recently used during an extrication exercise – was on-site for hands-on training for first responders.
Chevrolet and OnStar worked with the NFPA to develop this program to ensure firefighters and first responders are equipped with information and resources regarding electric vehicles.
“With the Chevrolet Volt and other electric vehicles about to hit the streets, it is important to know that first responders have all the information they need about this technology,” said Andrew Klock, NFPA’s senior project manager for this initiative. “First responders have a long history of successfully adapting their response to new vehicles and equipment in order to protect the public, as well as themselves.”
The collaboration with Chevrolet and OnStar includes the co-development of safety resources, including web-based training materials, an extrication video and shared resources for instructor-led safety presentations.
To find more information about the electric vehicle training series, and to register for upcoming sessions, visit: http://www.evsafetytraining.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=136&URL=Events
