Recognizing fuel sources for vehicles continues to evolve and fire departments must ensure they are prepared to combat vehicle fires, the Boston Fire Department (BFD) hosted a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) “Train the Trainer”Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Safety Program at the BFD training facility on Moon Island in Quincy, Mass today for their departments and a number of neighboring communities.
“Training our firefighters on the latest hazards they face responding to vehicle fires and accidents keeps everyone safe. This needed program from the NFPA will allow Boston Fire to educate our members first on the scene about alternative fueled vehicles and how best to mitigate incidents involving an AFV,” stated Fire Commissioner Chief Joseph Finn.
The training was timely as Boston Public Schools recently purchased 86 Blue Bird Propane Vision school buses and NFPA has updated theirEmergency Field Guide to include these propane-powered buses. One of the propane-powered buses was available at Moon Island during the walk-around portion of the training. In addition, MASSDot approved a contract for 325 hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to replace a current fleet of MBTA buses, with delivery expected in July 2016 and all buses in service by June 2017. Tuesday’s NFPA training featured a CNG passenger vehicle too, as well as a Chevrolet Volt, Ford Escape and Nissan Leaf (courtesy of Quirk Nissan).
Area departments included Braintree, Brockton, Cambridge, Lynn, Malden, Marshfield, Quincy, and Somerville, and the Massachusetts State Police. Participants were taught how to identify AFVs as well as how to handle fire events that may arise.
“NFPA AFV training is important to all responders in Boston and in the Boston area not only because of the alternatively fueled passenger vehicles our citizens are driving today, but now with such large vehicles being added to our local roadways, there is an increased risks of our first responders encountering these vehicles in accidents,” Andrew Klock, NFPA Public Fire Protection senior project manager said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Boston Fire and area fire departments on this relevant training program.”
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visitwww.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.