This task may be difficult if the vehicle has experienced extensive body damage or has major panels blocked by obstructions, as this could make it difficult to identify the vehicle through badging. The first responder should be prepared with alternative methods of identifying an alternative fuel vehicle other than vehicle badges and labels.

These methods may include:

• badging and labels (primary means of identification);
• non-standard dashboard layout and/or gauges;
• multiple or non-standard fueling ports;
• special underhood cables, warning labels, or equipment; and
• external fuel tanks (usually on heavy duty vehicles and light-duty pick-up
  trucks).

These propane tanks are visible from the outside of the vehicle and would alert first responders that the vehicle is fueled by something other than conventional gasoline or diesel. Credit: Propane Education and Research Council.

Once an alternative fuel vehicle has been identified at the incident scene, the first responder must inform all other emergency personnel of their findings so that they can safely and effectively perform their duties.

Design/VIN

Identifying an alternative fuel vehicle through the vehicle identification number (VIN) is possible, but not recommended. The content of the VIN varies by manufacturer and interpreting the information given in the VIN is difficult.

Another method to identify the vehicle is to look for characteristics of an AFV that are typically not found on non-AFV vehicles, such as a charge indicator on the dash, other AFV dash marking, or nonstandard or multiple fuel gauges.

First responders may also use an alternative fuel vehicle’s distinctive vehicle profile as a method of identification. Many manufacturers such as Nissan, Chevrolet, and Toyota give their alternative fuel vehicles a unique look to separate them from conventionally powered vehicles.

Fuel Ports

Alternative fuel vehicles usually have either non-standard fueling ports or charging outlets, or multiple fuel doors and ports, if it can operate on more than one fuel source. Looking into the fuel doors on a vehicle can often help identify the fuel or fuels that a vehicle is equipped to use.

This can be especially useful if the vehicle is an aftermarket conversion because the fueling ports may contain non-standard receptacles.

This natural gas fueling port would clue first responders to the alternative fuel inside the vehicle. Credit: NAFTC.

Electric Drive Vehicle Identification

Many manufacturers produce both an electric drive and conventionally powered version of the same vehicle. Both  ersions may look identical from the outside. The Ford Explorer, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry are some examples of vehicles that are identical in appearance. Note that they may have an emblem or model number identifying them as an EV.

Some hybrid vehicles have a badge or emblem that indicates the presence of an electric vehicle system. Credit: NAFTC.

Some models do not use traditional EV emblems and may, like the Lexus, use only an “h” to signify the vehicle is a hybrid. Other makers use a badge emblem that could be easily removed by the owner. EV logos are usually found at the rear of the vehicle or on the front or rear doors, but on models where the logo appears only on the trunk or hatchback, the potential exists for it to become destroyed in a rear-end collision.

Emblems or high-voltage stickers may be found under the hood in the engine compartment. However, the fastest way to identify an EV other than badging is by the presence of orange and blue cables that may be visible under the hood or along the chassis outside of the passenger compartment. Another less obvious identification method includes finding visible battery vents. Because the continual discharge and recharge of the high-voltage battery system produces excess heat, designers have installed vents to help cool the batteries. Typically, only older models have visible vents. The early version of the Toyota Prius had a vent in the driver’s side “C” post. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner have vents on the driver’s side rear quarter glass.

Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Identification

Some CNG vehicles may have a sticker or badge indicating their fuel. Credit: NAFTC.

Many CNG vehicles have a diamond-shaped blue decal with the lettering “CNG” on the side, trunk, tailgate, or cylinder areas, identifying the vehicle as capable of using CNG. Some manufacturers such as Honda have used an “NGV” emblem on the sides and trunk such as that of the Civic GX natural gas vehicle.

Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicle Identification

Often fleets that are proud of their cleaner transportation choices will use badges alterting customers of the fuel inside. Credit: NAFTC.

To help first responders and others accurately identify LNG vehicles, many such vehicles have a diamond-shaped blue decal with the lettering “LNG” on the side, trunk, tailgate or fuel tank areas, identifying the vehicle as capable of using LNG as a fuel source.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Vehicle Identification

Many school districts use propane for bus fuel to cut down on local emissions and particulate matter. Credit: NAFTC.

Like CNG and LNG vehicles, many LPG vehicles also have a blue diamond-shaped decal with the lettering “Propane” on
the side or trunk, identifying it as being capable of being propelled by LPG.

Hydrogen Vehicle Identification

Hydrogen powered vehicles can also be identified by the blue diamond-shaped decal with the lettering “Hydrogen.” Also as hydrogen vehicles are very new to the marketplace, manufacturers may have them branded with large, often flashy labels that help identify them.

Biodiesel Vehicle Identification

There are no standards for the labeling of biodiesel powered vehicles. However, some manufacturers such as Volkswagen have used the letters “TDI” to denote that the Jetta runs on diesel. Ford uses the “Power Stroke” wording
or emblem and the F-250 label on the sides of its Super-Duty series trucks to denote that the truck runs on diesel
or biodiesel. Dodge uses its BlueTec emblem on its diesel powered vehicles.

Ethanol Vehicle Identification

Flex fuel vehicles are some of the most common alternative fuel vehicles and can run on higher percentages of ethanol. Credit: General Motors.

Many ethanol, or flexible fuel vehicles, have a symbol or emblem on the side or trunk of the vehicle showing that the vehicle is capable of utilizing ethanol. The emblem style and size can vary by manufacturer. Ethanol vehicles can sometimes be identified by the color of its gasoline tank cap. Many ethanol vehicles come equipped with a bright yellow cap, usually labelled with an “E85” statement.

This information is drawn from the Firefighter First Responder Safety Training course. Call the NAFTC at (304) 293-7882 or email naftc@mail.wvu.edu to learn how to schedule a first responder training in your area.

“A battery-powered vehicle having a fire incident is newsworthy. A gasoline-powered vehicle having a fire is newsworthy only if it stops traffic,” said Steven Risser, senior research leader at Battelle, a nonprofit research and development firm, in a May 17, 2018 CNNMoney article.

Micheal Smyth, NAFTC interim director, agrees. “It’s sort of like airplanes: when there’s a crash, it’s news,” he says, “but nobody reports the thousands of successful flights every day. With alternative fuel vehicles, the relative newness of the technologies seems to be a key factor. It’s human nature to be afraid of the unknown and this bias creeps into reporting about AFV incidents.”

Data from the National Fire Protection Association confirm Risser and Smyth’s observations. In 2015, there were more than 174,000 vehicle fires in the U.S., with nearly all of them involving conventional, gasoline vehicles. That’s about 17 every hour! And Tesla claims that their vehicles have driven more than seven billion miles with only 40 fire incidents.

NAFTC Instructor Chris Womock teaches a workshop for first responders to learn to deal with incidents involving electric vehicles and other AFVs. Credit: NAFTC.

Battery Vehicle Fires Are Different

While electric drive vehicles are at least as safe as those powered by gasoline or diesel, they are different. Firefighters and other first and second responders should be aware of these differences, and how to safely deal with them.

Electric-vehicle battery packs consist of hundreds or even thousands of battery cells, each containing a flammable liquid electrolyte. A lithium-ion battery fire is usually due to a short circuit within one or more of the battery’s cells, which generates heat. The heat from the short circuit can then ignite the chemicals within the battery, leading to problems in the adjoining cells and a condition known as “thermal runaway” where the fire spreads and builds.

In most cases, these fires are the result of a collision of some sort. In fact, Jeff Dahn, a physics professor at Dalhousie University, reports that battery fires traceable to a manufacturing defect occur only about one time for every 100-million lithium-ion cells. Therefore, the Tesla fire in West Hollywood cited above, if the accident analysis shows it was spontaneous, can indeed be characterized as the freakiest of freak accidents.

The main difference between gasoline and battery fires is that gasoline fires happen as soon as there is an ignition source. Battery fires typically take more time to achieve the necessary heat for a fire. The upside to this is that it gives the car’s occupants time to exit the vehicle before the fire gets out-of-hand. The downside is that a battery can be damaged—as with a Tesla that ran over debris in Washington State in 2013—but the driver doesn’t notice the problem until later when the flames become visible.

For firefighters and other first responders, a battery-powered vehicle fire poses a unique set of problems. If the battery is not burning following an incident, the central concern is to keep the electrolyte from catching fire. If the battery is on fire, the concern then becomes one of keeping it contained. The high-voltage wiring in these vehicles is another key safety consideration.

“With more and more electric vehicles on the road, so grows the need for training about them,” says Chris Womock, a lieutenant with the Indianapolis Fire Department and a NAFTC first responder trainer. “The technology is expanding rapidly and firefighters must clearly understand what they are dealing with. Lack of knowledge can literally mean life or death in these incidents.”

Even though a vehicle battery fire is rare, manufacturers continue to improve safety. New battery packs are encased in hardened aluminum and improved firewalls are installed between the pack and the passenger compartment. Tesla has updated the suspension on the Model S so that it rides higher at highway speeds, reducing the risk of debris hitting the battery.

In the future, designers hope to replace the flammable electrolytes with a non-flammable variety. For now, though, battery-powered vehicles continue to obtain the highest NHSTA safety ratings, meaning you can drive your electric car with no more worry that your old gas one.

* This article covers incidents involving battery-powered vehicles. There are specific concerns for other alternative fuel vehicles that are outside the scope of this overview.

AFVs are just as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different. Consequently, incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles require specialized procedures from first responders. This month’s case study is based on an incident involving a Tesla Model S that caught fire and is being provided to show the need for first responders to be properly trained when dealing with these incidents.

Note: The information contained in this article is not a substitute for dedicated Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training. Attempting to assist with a vehicle incident of any kind without proper knowledge, skills, and experience can be dangerous and may result in harm to the responder and those involved in the incident.

In 2013, there were 164,000 vehicle fires on U.S. roads, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most of these incidents did not make the news. But a Tesla Model S fire in Seattle on October 2^nd of that year sure did.

The Tesla’s driver said that he struck some metal debris while traveling on state highway 167, as reported by local media. He exited the highway and the car caught fire on the exit ramp.

A Tesla Model S caught fire near Seattle after hitting road debris. Credit: TomoNews

Tesla representative Liz Jarvis-Shean said, after the company investigated the incident, that the metal object hit one of the vehicle’s battery pack modules. “This was not a spontaneous event,” she was quoted as saying in an October 3, 2013 Seattle Times article. “Every indication we have at this point is that the fire was a result of the collision and the damage sustained through that.”

The liquid-cooled, 85 kilowatt-hour battery in the Model S is mounted below the passenger compartment floor. The fire was contained to the front of the vehicle as designed, Jarvis-Shean said. Nevertheless, the fire posed problems for firefighters.

Arriving within three minutes of receiving the call, firefighters sprayed the car with water and believed they had extinguished the blaze. However, the fire reignited and the crew turned to a dry chemical extinguisher to battle it. Once it was contained, they used a circular saw to cut an access hole through which they applied water to the battery.

Battery fires often reignite because temperatures within the battery remain high. Firefighters have reported “whooshing” or “popping” sounds, followed by off-gassing of white smoke and electrical arcs/sparks that reignited with visible flames. Water will extinguish these fires but it may take considerable time.

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers notes that best practices for dealing with electric vehicle fires are similar to conventional vehicle tactics:

• identify the vehicle;
• immobilize the vehicle;
• disable the vehicle;
• extrication;
• extinguishment; and
• overhaul operations.

“EDV tactics are generally consistent with current recommendations for ICE tactics,” SFPE reports. “However, first responders must now identify the vehicle prior to immobilizing the vehicle. Other key differences between the two include: the need for copious amounts of water to extinguish an EDV [electric drive vehicle] battery fire, the high voltage electrical hazards associated with EDVs, and the recommendation to store all damaged EDVs at least 50 feet (15 m) from other structures or vehicles post-fire.”

Micheal Smyth, assistant director for training and curriculum development with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium stresses the importance of knowing about electric vehicles. “First responders should never cut into or puncture the high-voltage battery pack,” he said. “Doing so poses an extreme risk to firefighters. The best technique is to douse the fire with huge amounts of water. If the vehicle is a total loss, first responders can also let the vehicle burn.”

Of course, using proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is vitally important. For an electric vehicle fire, PPE should include boots, turn out gear, standard structural firefighting gloves, helmets, hoods, and full SCBA. Fire fighters performing suppression tasks should not interact with the VFT or battery packs beyond opening or closing compartment access doors in the front or rear of the VFT.

TomoNews developed a short video of this event, using animation to show how the fire likely started. See the video at:

This year, On Scene will focus on case studies of incidents involving Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs).

AFVs are just as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different. Consequently, incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles require specialized procedures from first responders. This month’s case study is based on an incident involving a garbage truck with a natural gas fuel system and is being provided to show the need for first responders to be properly trained when dealing with these incidents.

Note: The information contained in this article is not a substitute for dedicated Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training. Attempting to assist with a vehicle incident of any kind without proper knowledge, skills, and experience can be dangerous and may result in harm to the responder and those involved in the incident.

In January 2015, a garbage truck running on natural gas had an explosion after a trash fire in the truck caused the carbon fiber cylinders holding the fuel to burst. The blast , in Indianapolis, IN, threw the cylinders as much as a quarter-mile and damaged five nearby businesses.

After the fire department arrived, the CNG cylinders began to rupture, and it took an hour to quell the blaze. One firefighter was hit in the head by debris but suffered only minor injuries.

Indianapolis fire fighters examine what remains of a fuel cylinder from a natural gas-powered garbage truck that caught fire and exploded . Photo courtesty of www.theindychannel.com .

Fires associated with natural gas-powered vehicles are less frequent than with conventionally-powered vehicles. According to a 2008 Clean Vehicle Education Foundation survey based on more than 8,300 natural gas fleet vehicles that traveled over 175 million miles:

· The NGV injury rate was 37% lower when compared to gasoline fleet vehicles;

· There were no fatalities compared with 1.28 deaths per 100 million miles for gasoline fleet vehicles;

· Vehicles were only involved in seven fire incidents, only one of which was directly attributable to failure of the natural gas fuel system.

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium recommends the following steps for fire fighters when responding to a natural gas-related incident.

· Be sure to identify whether the vehicle is powered by CNG, LNG, or propane.

· Approach the vehicle with caution and only with the appropriate training.

· Eliminate all ignition sources.

· Stay upwind of vapors.

· Look, smell, listen, feel and/or use sensors to detect leaking fuel or a fire.

· If no fire or leak is detected, isolate the fuel system.

For a vehicle fire:

· If the vehicle is on fire or a leak is detected, do not approach the vehicle.

· Isolate the fire, if possible.

· Extinguish the fire.

· Be aware that, if the flame is extinguished without stopping fuel flow, the fire may re-ignite.

In the case of fuel spills or leaks:

· Eliminate all ignition sources and use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift.

If extrication is necessary:

· Be sure there are no leaks or vapors that could ignite.

· Know cribbing points and cut zones before cutting into a vehicle.

· Avoid cutting critical components.

Just because these type of events are rare doesn’t mean first responders shouldn’t be prepared. Training is key so that fire fighters and other first responders know exactly what to do on the scene.

Jeff Julian and Gary Garrisi are first responder trainers for the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC). Mr. Julian has 40 years of experience as a first responder and public safety trainer in Yuba, CA. Since 2011, Mr. Julian has trained first responders across the United States in safely working with alternative fuel vehicles. Mr. Garrisi has nearly 30 years of experience as a first responder, and has worked with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium as a trainer since 2008.

Note: The information contained in this article is not a substitute for dedicated Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training. Attempting to assist with a vehicle incident of any kind without proper knowledge, skills, and experience can be dangerous and may result in harm to the responder and those involved in the incident.

This year, On Scene will focus on case studies of incidents involving Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs).

AFVs are just as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different. Consequently, incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles require specialized procedures from first responders.

This month’s case study is based on an incident involving a compressed natural gas fuel system and is being provided to show the need for first responders to be properly trained when dealing with these incidents.

On April 3, 2014, residents in Howard, Wisconsin, heard a loud explosion. Arriving at the scene, witnesses found a box truck had been destroyed. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the passenger had been thrown from the vehicle.

The vehicle was operated by Ace Manufacturing Industries, a manufacturer of heavy duty clutches and clutch components. Both the driver and passenger were employees of Ace Manufacturing.

The Howard Fire Department arrived to secure the scene and the area was evacuated in case of additional explosions. Brown County Hazmat Teams were called in to assess the threat of a fuel leak and a reconstruction team to document the scene.

“Something in the load of the vehicle shifted and it compromised the compressed natural gas fuel system, consequently there was a detonation of the fuel system that injured one of the people in the vehicle and there was also a fatality,” said Ed Janke, the director of Howard Public Safety, to local news outlets at the time.

“We notified Green Bay Hazmat team to assist us in our investigation,” said Janke. “They found that the vehicle had actually off gassed and we determined the scene was safe.”

The Ace Manufacturing truck was transporting materials between two company facilities on the half-mile long road. During transport the materials slid forward and punctured a compressed natural gas tank stored behind the cab of the truck, causing the tank to explode.

Recognizing the need for first responder safety training in alternative fuel vehicles, the fire officials in Howard and the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College turned to the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) to conduct their First Responder Safety Training to learn proper procedures in responding to incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles.

Just over a month after the incident, 23 first responders and representatives from local fire departments and local fleets attended this two-day safety training at the Howard County Fire Department.

“We decided to conduct the class to better educate instructors throughout Wisconsin on how to handle events. We had previous training on hybrid electric vehicles only, and this course introduced instructors to other types of vehicles,” said Christopher Hohol, public safety instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. “Training is very important to responders because incidents today are not standard. You cannot confirm easily what is and is not a non-conventional vehicle. This training will assist instructors in delivering that message to responders.”

The NAFTC’s First Responder Safety Training prepares first responders to safely and effectively respond to accidents involving a variety of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric drive vehicles and vehicles that run on natural gas, biofuels, ethanol, hydrogen, and propane. Currently there are courses for firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS personnel.

We began the column by discussing some of the differences between AFVs and conventional vehicles in Alternative Fuel Vehicles – Just as Safe as Conventional Vehicles, But Different .

Next, we covered the basic steps of approaching an AFV accident in Approaching an AFV Accident – Scene Control, a 360 Degree Survey, and Vehicle Identification and Approaching an AFV Accident – Vehicle Identification .

Then, we covered specific techniques and equipment for working with an AFV incident in Firefighting Techniques for Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment for Firefighters Responding to Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incidents .

Finally, we discussed training opportunities in On Scene: AFV Training Opportunities .

The information contained in “On Scene” is not a substitute for dedicated AFV safety training, of course. Attempting to assist with a vehicle incident of any kind without proper knowledge, skills, and experience can be dangerous and may result in harm to the responder and those involved in the incident.

This year, the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) eNews launched a new column as an ongoing effort to support the first responder community. The column “On Scene: AFVs and First Responders” is written by NAFTC first responder trainers Jeff Julian and Gary Garrisi, and provides news and information specific to first responders who may have to work with Alternative Fuel Vehicies (AFVs) at accident scenes.

We began the column by discussing some of the differences between AFVs and conventional vehicles in “Alternative Fuel Vehicles – Just as Safe as Conventional Vehicles, But Different”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/7/1/alternative-fuel-vehicles—just-as-safe-as-conventional-vehicles–but-different.

Next, we covered the basic steps of approaching an AFV accident in “Approaching an AFV Accident – Scene Control, a 360 Degree Survey, and Vehicle Identification”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/7/29/approaching-an-afv-accident—scene-control–a-360-degree-survey–and-vehicle-identification and “Approaching an AFV Accident – Vehicle Identification”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/8/29/approaching-an-afv-accident—vehicle-identification.

Then, we covered specific techniques and equipment for working with an AFV incident in “Firefighting Techniques for Alternative Fuel Vehicles”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/9/29/firefighting-techniques-for-alternative-fuel-vehicles and “Personal Protective Equipment for Firefighters Responding to Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incidents”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/10/27/personal-protective-equipment-for-firefighters-responding-to-alternative-fuel-vehicle-incidents.

Finally, we discussed training opportunities in “On Scene: AFV Training Opportunities”:http://naftcenews.wvu.edu/naftc_enews/2016/12/5/on-scene–afv-training-opportunities.

The information contained in “On Scene” is not a substitute for dedicated AFV safety training, of course. Attempting to assist with a vehicle incident of any kind without proper knowledge, skills, and experience can be dangerous and may result in harm to the responder and those involved in the incident.

· Firefighter Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training (one-day instructor led class, revised in January 2016)

· Law Enforcement Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training (one-day instructor led class, developed in January 2016)

· Emergency Medical Services Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training (one-day instructor led class, developed in January 2016)

· Electric Drive Vehicle First Responder Safety Training (self-paced online class)

• Recycling Safety Training for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (4-hour instructor led class)

· Towing and Roadside Assistance Safety Training for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (4-hour instructor led class)

Additionally, new offerings are being developed by the NAFTC for 2017, including:

• Recycling Safety Training for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (self-paced online class)

· Towing and Roadside Assistance Safety Training for Alternative Fuel Vehicles (self-paced online class)

· Propane Autogas Vehicle First Responder Training (self-paced online class)

These classes try to meet the educational needs of a wide variety of learners, presenting information in textbook, classroom, train-the-trainer, and online formats.

Thanks to the NAFTC First Responder Safety Training, first and second responders are arriving on scene at AFV incidents across the country with the proper education and training to safely and effectively deal with the ever increasing number of highway scenarios involving alternative fuel vehicles.

In 2017 we will be covering a series of alternative fuel vehicle incidents that will provide specifics on the response and the outcome.

If you are interested in AFV First Responder Safety Training for you or your department, please visit AFVSafetyTraining.com contact Micheal Smyth ( Micheal.Smyth@mail.wvu.edu) or 304-293-7882.