Canton Fire & EMS Has To Adjust To Rise In Electric Vehicles On The Roadways

CANTON, CT — With more and more electric vehicles on the roads, municipal fire departments are being forced to adjust how they handle fires involving these types of vehicles.

As an example, the Canton Fire & EMS Department has added specialized fire blankets designed for electric vehicle fires as EV ownership continues to grow in the community.

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Town officials said the department purchased four EV fire blankets using funding from a Canton Community Health Fund Community Partner Grant.

One blanket will be assigned to each engine company, with another placed on the department’s rescue truck.

Officials said the equipment is intended to help firefighters respond more safely and effectively to fires involving electric vehicles, which burn differently than gasoline-powered vehicles.

According to the department, electric vehicle battery fires can exceed 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and may release large amounts of smoke, toxic gases, and flames.

Fire officials said EV fires can also create risks of explosions and exposure damage to nearby structures, vehicles, and emergency crews.

The department said current firefighting strategies for EV fires often focus on containing the fire and limiting surrounding damage while waiting for the battery fire to burn itself out, rather than applying large amounts of water.

To prepare crews for using the new equipment, firefighters completed specialized training while wearing full protective gear.

The training included simulated electric vehicle fires in residential garages, public parking lots, and charging stations, along with instruction on towing coordination, handling larger electric vehicles, and proper blanket maintenance and disposal procedures.

Fire officials also reviewed safety protocols and crew positioning during EV-related incidents.

“EV blankets are a perfect complement to the Department’s Mission and Tag Line: to be prepared to save life, protect property and preserve the environment… At A Moment’s Notice,” Canton Fire & EMS Department Executive Officer Gerry Holland said in a statement released with the announcement.

The Canton Community Health Fund said the program is part of ongoing efforts to support emergency response and public safety initiatives in town.