Hybrid vehicles are gaining in popularity among automakers and buyers. Nowadays, all of the major manufacturers now offer a version of a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid technology is being incorporated into all styles from coupes to SUVs. J.D. Power and Associates predicts that hybrid technology vehicles will account for 7 percent of the car market by 2015, which would be a threefold increase. This prediction gives emergency responders a heads up on the likelihood of encountering hybrid vehicles in the future, and incidents like this week’s account give us a heads up on a special handling tip when the new technology is encountered.
“My department responded to a four vehicle auto collision with two injuries. All occupants, except for one operator, which EMS was treating, were out of the vehicles and there was no entrapment…We positioned the apparatus and traffic cones to create a safe working area. We also insured that the parking brakes were set and ignition keys (were) removed from all vehicles…
Three of the vehicles had their engine compartments wedged under or into the preceding vehicle, making access to the vehicle batteries very difficult. As the vehicles were now unoccupied and the tow trucks began to arrive, we then assisted with traffic control to safely get the vehicles removed from the scene and began recovering fluids and debris.
One of the involved vehicles was a [deleted] hybrid. The tow operator did not seem to be familiar with the vehicle’s systems and had difficulty getting the vehicle into neutral to load it onto his flatbed. After several attempts, the vehicle was loaded and secured on the flatbed. The tow operator then began using the wheel lift on the flatbed to tow the next involved vehicle. While they were hooking up the second vehicle, I noticed vapor coming from the hybrid’s exhaust…”
Handling the hybrid vehicle first requires obtaining knowledge of how the technology works, what systems are in each vehicle, and what hazards those systems pose to emergency responders. Once you have read the entire account of the event (CLICK HERE), consider the following:
1. Most local dealers have hybrid vehicles on the lot. Have you visited a dealer and arranged for a demonstration of the hybrid components?
2. When you respond to a motor vehicle collision, who is responsible for ensuring the vehicles are secured (engines shut off, brakes set, wheels chocked, etc.)?
3. Which vehicle power plant presents more hazards, internal combustion engines or hybrid technology? Explain your answer.
4.On average, how long do the high voltage capacitors in a hybrid vehicle need to bleed off their stored power?
Shutting off a hybrid vehicle accomplishes neutralizes four hazards. What are the four hazards? (The answer can be found in Hybrid Vehicle Safety Link #1 below).
Hybrid Vehicle Safety Links
For more information on hybrid vehicle safety, visit:
http://www.fireengineering.com/fireengineering/en-us/index/extrication_zone.html
http://www.aa1car.com/library/hybrid_hazards.htm
http://www.squidoo.com/hybridcarhazards
Have you experienced a near miss with a hybrid vehicle? Firefighternearmiss.com has a place for you to share your experience with the rest of the fire and emergency services.
Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting firefighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.
