Firefighters turn eye to future with EV training
Over 130 people attended the electric vehicle (EV) awareness training class, held at the Cadott Fire Station, with members from every fire department in Chippewa County present. Beyond the basics of emergency response to incidents involving electric vehicles, attendees learned about the growth of the EV industry and what technologies are currently available with the vehicles. Photo by Julia Wolf
By Julia Wolf
First responders from across Chippewa County, had the opportunity to learn more about electric vehicles (EVs), as EVs become more widely accepted and grow in popularity. The EV awareness training session took place Dec. 12, at the Cadott Fire Station and was paid for by the Chippewa County Fire Chief Association.
“We had members from every fire department in Chippewa County present,” said chief Rick Sommerfeld, Cadott Area Fire Department.
During the training session, first responders learned things, such as where they can, and cannot, cut electric vehicles to extricate people, in the event of a crash.
Sommerfeld says they also went over fighting an EV or lithium ion battery cell fire.
“We will need to use much more water and have to continue cooling the battery with water for 45 minutes after the fire is out, to help prevent re-ignition,” said Sommerfeld.
The firefighters and first responders also learned signs that may be present if a battery is getting ready to ignite, such as gases, fumes or smoke venting out of the vehicle on each side. Sommerfeld says they also covered what protective gear they need to wear in those situations, how to approach a vehicle that is venting anything and how to store EV battery packs after a fire.
There were also four vehicles on-hand, to allow for some hands-on learning, including a Ford F150 Lightning and a Rivian R1T.
Mike Klimkosky, president of EVsafe, says EVs make up 5 percent of car sales and it is estimated the United States EV market will grow at a nearly a 25 percent growth rate, up until 2028. He says EV sales have also hit the “tipping point,” the threshold where mainstream demand overtakes early adopters.
“This is going to continue to go very, very quick, now that the mainstream buyer has entered the picture,” said Klimkosky.
Klimkosky also says their presentation will look different a year from now, because the industry is built around the concept of continuous innovation.
Sommerfeld says there are some federal agencies working to bring some standardization to EVs, to make it easier for first responders.
“It was a lot of valuable information for everyone present and we will have to continue training, as it is an ever-changing technology,” said Sommerfeld.
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Mike Klimkosky, president of EVsafe (center), shows firefighters and first responders different elements of electric vehicles (EVs) on-hand, during an EV awareness training session Dec. 12. The training covered EV safety awareness, fire suppression and extrication techniques. Submitted photo[/caption]
