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NFPA adapts electric vehicle training for Canadian first responders

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March 18, 2013 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is working in conjunction with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to address the need for first responders to receive instruction on handling emergency situations involving electric vehicles.

NFPA will be adapting its American first responder training program for electric vehicles to be consistent with Canadian needs and policies. A committee of Canadian stakeholders will evaluate its compatibility with the conditions and requirements of emergency personnel in Canada.

“As the number of electric vehicles on North American roads increases, adapting the first responder training developed for the U.S., just makes sense, given our shared border,” said John Walter, Chief Executive Officer, SCC. “Standardizing the training that is used to prepare the people we depend on most in emergency situations, is essential to the success of electric mobility between our countries.”

Among the offered training packages are Train-the-Trainer sessions, as well as online training and resources for fire service, police, emergency medical services, tow truck operators and other first responders. They will be made available to the provinces by mid-2013.

“We have already seen the success of the program in the U.S.,” said NFPA President Jim Shannon “and we expect Canada to see the same benefit as it implements these training procedures. This training is becoming increasingly necessary as countries continue to advance their environmental goals through encouraging their residents to use electric vehicles.”

About the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is a Crown Corporation and a portfolio of Industry Canada. With the goal of enhancing Canada’s economic competitiveness and social well-being, the SCC offers accreditation services to standards development bodies, and coordinates the efforts of Canadians in the development and use of national and international standards. The SCC is the Canadian member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and sponsor of the Canadian national committee to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For additional information on the work of the SCC, visit http://www.scc.ca or e-mail info@scc.ca.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

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