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Alternative fuel vehicle safety training for the fire service

NFPA offers online safety training to the U.S. fire service on incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles including electric, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, bio-diesel and gaseous fuels such as CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), LPG (Liquid Propane Gas), and their recharging/refueling stations. The online training can be started and stopped at any time and features videos, animations, simulations, review questions, and scenarios. Highly engaging 3D interactive vehicle models that reinforce concepts are continuously refreshed with the latest technology and fire tactics.

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Topics addressed include:

  • introduction to hybrid, electric, fuel cell, & gaseous fuel vehicles
  • basic electrical concepts
  • vehicle systems & charging/refueling infrastructure
  • initial response procedures
  • identification methods, immobilization, disabling, emergency operations
  • unanticipated vehicle movement, electric shock hazards
  • toxic and flammable gas build-up & electrolyte skin contact
  • extrication, vehicle and battery fires, submersion
  • high voltage battery damage, battery re-ignition
  • incidents involving charging stations & refueling stations
 

AFV fire service trainingClassroom Training  

NFPA offers classroom training for firefighters with the information they need to respond to emergency situations involving alternative fuel vehicles. This comprehensive courses feature videos, animations, activities, and field evolutions involving AFVs. Please contact us if you are interested in hosting NFPA classroom training at your facility

 

 

Training Tools

 

 

Fire Service Video Library

 

This video takes the data gathered through the HEV/EV high voltage battery burn study conducted by the NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation and breaks it down into a series of tactical considerations and best practices for extinguishing fires in HEV and EVs. 



A preview of the Alternative Fuel Vehicles project which aims to provide comprehensive emergency response training to fire and rescue personnel in order to mitigate the hazards associated with incidents involving advanced electric drive vehicles.


 
NFPA's Fire Service Segment Director Ken Willette demonstrates how the 2013 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Emergency Field Guide can be used to assess the safety risk of individual automobile models.

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