First Responders at the scene of an automobile accident
Charging West Virginia's Energy Future

LIVE DISCUSSION

Empower First Responders

Learn about first responder safety and EVs with WVU Fire Safety Extension Instructor and NAFTC Collaborator, Tom Miller, during a National Volunteer Fire Council FREE, live, online discussion this Thursday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. EDT.

Learn about first responder safety and EVs with WVU Fire Safety Extension Instructor and NAFTC Collaborator, Tom Miller, during a National Volunteer Fire Council FREE, live, online discussion this Thursday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. EDT.

Safeguarding Our Future with Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training.

NAFTC's First Responder Safety Training educates and equips responders to handle accidents involving alternative fuel vehicles. With the rising number of these vehicles on the road, this training is essential. It ensures responders are well-prepared to manage the unique challenges posed by AFVs. Empower our first responders for a safer future.

 

First Responder Safety Training

National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) first responder safety training equips first responders with the knowledge they need to confront a growing number of automotive accidents involving alternative fuel, electric, and hybrid electric vehicles (AFVs, EVs, HEVs).

NAFTC maintains an agreement with the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension (WVU FSE) as its exclusive provider of AFV/EV/HEV training for first responders. WVU FSE, who operates the West Virginia Fire Academy, has provided AFV/EV/HEV training in West Virginia, at national and international events, and across the U.S.

Why Alternative Fuel Vehicle First Responder Safety Training Is Important

  • Quickly identify an electric, hybrid, biofuel, natural gas, hydrogen, or propane vehicle
  • Locate the high-voltage cables in EVs and HEVs
  • Disable a high-voltage system in a vehicle
  • Ascertain when a high-voltage system is fully discharged
  • Know which extinguisher to use for for an electric, gaseous fuel, or biofuel vehicle
  • Safely extinguish a biofuel, natural gas, propane, or electric vehicle fire

Did you know:

  • The battery in an electric drive vehicle can store between 50-800 volts or more of electricity.
  • 12-volt batteries may be located in areas other than under the hood.
  • The storage cylinders of hydrogen-powered vehicles can hold gaseous hydrogen at 10,000 psi.
  • If vented improperly, the vapors from compressed natural gas cylinders may freeze tissue.
  • Onboard LNG vehicle fuel is stored at -250°F.
  • Electric drive vehicles have high-voltage components in the engine compartment.
  • Electric drive vehicles running in electric-only mode make no engine noise.
  • Many modern-day vehicles have a smart-key system that allows the vehicle to be started without a key in the ignition switch.

NAFTC‘s First Responder Safety Training features a suite of training for biofuel, gaseous fuel, hydrogen, and electric drive vehicles. Topics include key vehicle and fuel properties and characteristics, vehicle components, vehicle identification, and recommended first responder procedures.

Training Formats Include: