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NFPA’s new Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training Program for U.S. Emergency Responders is available online
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the launch of its new Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training Program for U.S. Emergency Responders* (See below), which is now available online. This free, self-paced course teaches emergency responders how to safely deal with emergency situations involving alternative fuel passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and commercial fleet vehicles.
There are more than 15 million alternative fuel vehicles on America’s roadways today. To help emergency responders handle the unique challenges presented by these new technologies, NFPA has developed the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training Program. In approximately four hours, the program effectively trains responders through engaging videos, animations (including 3D animations), simulations, and review exercises.
The dynamic online curriculum covers:
- Introduction to alternative fuel vehicle concepts including electric, hybrid, fuel cell, bio-diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Propane (LPG).
- The program also covers identification techniques, immobilization and power-down procedures, extrication challenges, recommended practices for dealing with hazards such as fires and submersion, incidents involving charging/refueling stations, and more.
These concepts are taught through the use of highly interactive learning modules which include videos, graphics, 3D animations, simulations, and data review exercises, and the user can repeat any section on demand. Students will receive a certificate for successful completion of the program.
Upon completion of the four modules, training participants should be able to:
- Safely conduct emergency scene size-up and management
- Identify an alternative fuel vehicle
- Effectively immobilize the vehicle for scene safety
- Disable the vehicle’s High Voltage and SRS systems
- Conduct occupant rescue more safely
- Execute AFV recovery and disposal
Who will benefit from this training?
Anyone who may respond to incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles, including fire service and law enforcement, emergency medical service technicians, and tow and salvage personnel.
About the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training Program
In 2010, NFPA launched an extensive research project to find out if emergency responders were adequately prepared to safely handle incidents involving electric vehicles (EV) and their charging stations. The answer was a resounding no; only a small fraction of the responder community had received any training to handle such incidents, putting both operators of EVs and themselves at an increased risk. With that understanding, NFPA developed a comprehensive training and educational support program that enables firefighters and other emergency responders to safely and knowledgeably handle these incidents. The program targets the 1.2 million career and volunteer firefighters, as well as millions of other first and second emergency responders in the U.S., and has now been implemented nationwide (~50,000 participants). Since this time, with continued funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Energy, NFPA has expanded its safety training efforts to encompass not only EVs but all forms of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) that drive on our nation’s roadways. Please visit EVSafetyTraining.org for more information.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
* Please Note: This training application is only accessible to individuals within the United States. Customers residing outside the U.S. should not purchase this training, as they will not be able to view it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtCk3srID_w
