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NFPA Unveils Online Electric Vehicle Safety Training for Firefighters and First Responders

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July 26, 2012 — The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the launch of its online electric vehicle safety training course for first responders. The online curriculum is based on the classroom-style sessions currently being delivered across the country. The online version, which allows students to participate regardless of their location, aims to ensure that members of the fire service and other first responder communities have access to this important training.

The self-paced program will provide first responders with the knowledge they need to safely handle emergency situations involving EVs, HEVs, PHEVs and charging stations. The online curriculum includes information about the newest technology and safety systems found in the growing number of hybrid and electric vehicles on the road.

“We are delighted to release the online version of our popular and growing EV training course,” said Andrew Klock, senior project manager of NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training. “This invaluable training gives firefighters and first responders easy access to resources and materials necessary to respond to emergencies involving electric vehicles and is an important part of our overall electric vehicle education program.”

NFPA’s training was developed to address the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads today. NFPA began a nationwide training tour to deliver train-the-trainer courses in the summer of 2011 which has been completed in 32 states to date. The project’s goal is to train first responders in all 50 states by 2013.

The introduction of the online course complements existing in-person, train-the-trainer sessions, allowing first responders everywhere to select a method that works best for their particular preferences and circumstances. Firefighters and first responders who use the online training will have access to a dynamic, interactive training session with all the same topics covered in the classroom course, including:

  • Introduction to hybrid and electric vehicles
  • Basic electrical concepts
  • Vehicle systems and charging stations
  • Identification methods
  • Immobilization process
  • Disabling procedures
  • Extrication operations
  • Vehicle and battery fires
  • Submersions
  • Incidents involving charging stations
  • High voltage battery damage

Making sure that the training course was comprehensive was a top priority for NFPA. The launch of NFPA’s online training comes after months of research and development by NFPA, subject matter experts, and the automobile manufacturers.

To access the online training, and for more information and resources about NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training, visit www.evsafetytraining.org/training

About NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training Project
NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is a nationwide program designed to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States. The NFPA project, funded by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, provides first responders with information they need to most effectively deal with potential emergency situations involving electric vehicles.

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.

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