Working with a number of the nation’s leading first-responder organizations, including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFC) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Chevrolet and OnStar have created the first manufacturer-sponsored training program aimed at educating personnel on the special techniques needed to deal with crashes involving electric vehicles (EVs). The first of these seminars is set for Chicago this August, four months ahead of the scheduled introduction of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range EV. It will be followed by sessions in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C., all of which are part of the Volt’s pilot launch market
Chevrolet and its partners have spent months developing a comprehensive set of materials aimed at making sure firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical technicians can quickly and effectively contend with the unique challenges posed by EVs in any type of critical and potentially life-threatening situation. The instructional materials include animation and illustrations of the Chevrolet Volt, highlighting locations of high-strength steel and cut points for extrication, special labeling, automatic and manual electrical shut-offs and more.
“We believe a first-responder education program is very important to raise the awareness and understanding of electric vehicle technology,” said Carmen Benavides, director, Chevrolet Safety. “This is a natural extension of the collaborative efforts we’ve had in the past when introducing new safety and other leading technologies.”
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