By Maddie Seiler
The Sentinel
NEWVILLE, Pa. — Friendship Hose Company #1 in Newville is now more prepared to respond to incidents involving electric vehicles, thanks to a recent donation.
H&H Chevrolet in Shippensburg presented an EV disconnect to the department Tuesday night.
The equipment is designed to disconnect the power of EVs at the scene of an emergency to prevent them from going into drive, Fire Chief David Bobb said.
Worth about $1,000, the device is effective on Teslas, Chevrolets and other EVs, he said.
“It’s a great tool for a new series of cars that are becoming more popular in the area,” Bobb said. “It’ll make our job easier and safer for the members, plus the community that we serve.”
Tuesday’s donation also included a demonstration from H&H Chevrolet staff, who showed first responders how to use the device.
Bobb described the tool as both user-friendly and “very necessary.”
While Newville doesn’t see too many EVs yet, he said the department has encountered them responding to incidents on Interstate 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
"[It’s] a very proactive initiative for something that’s definitely a more upcoming need in the future,” Bobb said.
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