NAFTC Showcases First Responder Safety Training Materials at FDIC June 2012
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) showcased its alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle training April 16-21 at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), the firefighting industry’s premier conference and exhibition.
Every year the FDIC gathers decision makers, trainers, experts, manufacturers and suppliers to experience the best in service education and technology. Nearly 30,000 attendees filled the exhibit halls, classrooms and training sites at this year’s conference.
The NAFTC display featured the organization’s First Responders Safety Training materials, which includes training on biofuels, gaseous fuels, hydrogen and electric drive and a suite of modern technology products.
The quick reference guide (QRG), a durable flipbook for emergency personnel to use at the scene of an accident, is also available as a free app on the iPhone, iPad, and Android platform. Credit: National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
Event attendees were able to interact with “HEVTE,” the NAFTC’s hybrid electric vehicle training educator. A heavily modified, third generation, fully functional Toyota Prius, the HEVTE is a training tool with a cutaway that allowed first responders and other FDIC attendees to easily and safely interact with labeled hybrid electric drive vehicle components by scanning electronic QR codes.
“HEVTE is the NAFTC’s newest training tool in our quest to educate the nation about the benefits of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles,” said NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron. “The technology that first responders are seeing when responding to vehicle accidents has continued to evolve and improve, and the NAFTC is committed to making sure our curricula and training programs are on the cutting edge as well.”
The NAFTC’s First Responder Safety Training covers hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles as well as those powered by biofuels, gaseous fuels and hydrogen. The curricula include instructor manuals, participant manuals, workshop booklets, a quick reference guide (QRG) and online training (for Electric Drive only).
The QRG, a durable flipbook for emergency personnel to use at the scene of an accident, is also available as a free app on the iPhone and the iPad, with a recent release on the Android platform. The hard copy and mobile versions of the guide detail various makes and models of alternative fuel and electric drive vehicles, alerting first responders to such items as high-voltage cables, cut zones and other safety information.
The First Responder Safety Training workshops teach emergency personnel what they need to know about alternative fuel and electric drive vehicles and how to respond to an accident scene. Topics include key vehicle properties and characteristics, vehicle components, vehicle identification and recommended first responder procedures.
“Alternative fuel and electric drive vehicles reduce our nation’s dependence on oil and keep our air cleaner,” Ebron said. “Because more consumers are realizing the benefits of these next generation vehicles and purchasing them for their personal transportation use, first responders must understand the differences between these and conventional, gasoline-powered vehicles.
“Alternative fuel and electric drive vehicles are as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different. The First Responder Safety Training provides first responders with important information to enhance their understanding of those differences.”
The First Responder Safety Training’s target audiences include firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and hazardous response officials. The curricula are components of two NAFTC programs—the Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program and the Clean Cities Learning Program, both funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Covid-19 VIRUS NOTICE
The NAFTC’s training schedule is currently on hold due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Please follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines for social distancing, hand washing, and other measures. Stay healthy! We will post an updated training schedule once things return to normal.
For virtual training, click on Courses and Workshops to see our recent online trainings for Towing and Roadside Assistance and Salvage and Automotive Recycling. Learn how to safely handle alternative fuel vehicles!
SCHEDULE A COURSE
Heavy Sponsorship Perks
Annual sponsorship through the West Virginia University Foundation during the 39-month program offers these benefits:
Membership on the advisory committee to help direct a training program that meets your needs
Networking opportunities through advisory committee meetings
FIFTEEN seats at the train-the-trainer roll out based on your sponsorship level
An opportunity to be eligible to train your own technicians or clients when you pay for NAFTC corporate membership
Ability to spread your sponsorship pledge payments over three budget periods corresponding to the first quarter of each project budget period:
December 2020 | March 2022 | March 2023
If desired, a gift receipt each year, less value of the benefit received that year, will be sent to you
To recognize your support, the NAFTC EV curricula will include an acknowledgments section in the training curricula with your logo prominently displayed.
Light Sponsorship Perks
Annual sponsorship through the West Virginia University Foundation during the 39-month program offers these benefits:
Membership on the advisory committee to help direct a training program that meets your needs
Networking opportunities through advisory committee meetings
FIVE seats at the train-the-trainer roll out based on your sponsorship level
An opportunity to be eligible to train your own technicians or clients when you pay for NAFTC corporate membership
Ability to spread your sponsorship pledge payments over three budget periods corresponding to the first quarter of each project budget period:
December 2020 | March 2022 | March 2023
If desired, a gift receipt each year, less value of the benefit received that year, will be sent to you
To recognize your support, the NAFTC EV curricula will include an acknowledgments section in the training curricula with your logo prominently displayed.
Medium Sponsorship Perks
Annual sponsorship through the West Virginia University Foundation during the 39-month program offers these benefits:
Membership on the advisory committee to help direct a training program that meets your needs
Networking opportunities through advisory committee meetings
NINE seats at the train-the-trainer roll out based on your sponsorship level
An opportunity to be eligible to train your own technicians or clients when you pay for NAFTC corporate membership
Ability to spread your sponsorship pledge payments over three budget periods corresponding to the first quarter of each project budget period:
December 2020 | March 2022 | March 2023
If desired, a gift receipt each year, less value of the benefit received that year, will be sent to you
To recognize your support, the NAFTC EV curricula will include an acknowledgments section in the training curricula with your logo prominently displayed.
