Importance Of Electric Vehicle Fire Training Grows

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As more people own electric vehicles, fire departments find themselves needing to accelerate their training in battling electric blazes.

While rare, electric vehicles (EV) can catch on fire.

"Due to the vehicle’s batteries, EV fires require different tactics compared to a traditional car fire. This is combined with the atmospheric threat that is created from the vapors produced from an EV fire, which creates a life-threatening danger to the public and first responders in the immediate area," the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services stated.

The HCDFRS recently sent its special operations team to Howard Community College where they trained with other fire departments about the best practices for combating electric vehicle fires.

Personnel trained on operational tactics in removing an EV on fire from a parking garage and the use of the department’s crane and a container to relocate the EV (a tactic recently used by HCDFRS for an EV fire on I-95 in January).

"For these reasons, oftentimes it becomes easier for departments to relocate the vehicle to an isolated area rather than stay on scene for multiple hours as they control the fire, potentially risking exposing nearby civilians to the hazardous vapors. In the case of a parking garage, responders need to be prepared to get the vehicle out of the garage or risk structural damage/collapse or fire extension to a connected building," the fire department stated.

Firefighters also reviewed atmospheric monitoring tools and discussed initial operations for a suspected EV fire.

"Our special operations team will continue to work to prepare for and address EV fires to ensure that if an EV fire happens here in Howard County, we are able to protect the public and keep our first responders safe," the HCDFRS stated.