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[Mike Werner]

I recently had an interesting conversation with someone from the local fire department here in Normandy, France. The guy is a biker as well, as are many of them, and we talked about electric motorcycles. I showed him my electric BMW and then I asked the proverbial 60,000$ question.... "have you guys got any instructions about dealing with electric vehicles?"

The answer was "NO". In the case of cars, they would use jaws of death to pry open a car, which could include the battery compartments. A bike that has gone down and is crushed could mean that the firefighters are exposed to high voltage.

Question... do you know if your local FD are knowledgeable about dealing with electric vehicles?

[firepower]

I am Electronics Technician for Emergency Services Comms and Call centres, here in Australaia, QLD.
They are trained not to cut High Voltage Orange wires and to try and pull emergency stop main fuse or contactor.
They are definetly trianed to deal with Hybrids and EV.

Procedure for conventinal and EV  /Hybrid are the same, stabalise the vechicle and then open up passanger area via cutting door and roof.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CFAQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfpa.org%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FResearch%2FResearch%2520Foundation%2FResearch%2520Foundation%2520reports%2FFor%2520emergency%2520responders%2Ffftacticselecveh.pdf&ei=ryAbVZ3jF8immAXoiYGwBg&usg=AFQjCNGT4cF1tv4O1KnXkIFN526pZNWiyw&sig2=_5ltFdt_7JirlNQiLHUARQ&bvm=bv.89744112,d.dGY

[Mike Werner]

Thank you for that. Very advanced I must say. I'll send it over to the local command post of the FD department (going to be fun to get them to read English).

I guess the big wigs are going to wait until some firefighter gets killed or maimed before thinking about the problem.

[firepower]

Can you add your location to your profile, no idea where you are. I just goggled that, you may find one in your language.
I also did a search on my work infra net, and training power-points were the same.

[Mike Werner]

I'm based in Normandy, France and I'll update my profile, thanks