Firefighters learn to rescue people from EVs safely

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing on New Zealand roads, so firefighters wanting to avoid a shock are learning how to rescue people from an EV safely.

Southern firefighters are now better prepared after a training day in Gore involved three electric and hybrid vehicles, the Southland Times reports.

Crashes can involve plenty of hazards, including spilt fuel and downed power lines. But EVs add a potential new hazard.

Firefighters can’t just cut into them anywhere with the ‘jaws of life’ cutting gear to rescue an injured driver or passenger because of an EV’s electric system.

“We have to deal with them differently because of the updated technology,” Northern Southland Fire Brigade Association president Nigel Moore says. “They have high voltage cables running through them, so the procedure to extricate someone from an electric powered car is different.”

Firefighters were shown where to cut to avoid being electrocuted. “The cars are all different. It’s about being safe and knowing what could happen and being prepared for that.”

Fifty firefighters from 13 brigades throughout Otago and Southland attended.
Toyota, Nissan and Honda provided late model vehicles, which were not cut open for the exercise.