Medium & Heavy-Duty Zero Emissions Vehicles Resources - Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs

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Medium & Heavy-Duty Zero Emissions Vehicles Resources

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The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Transport Canada released a report titled Medium & Heavy-Duty Zero Emissions Vehicles: Assessment of Information and Training Available for the Fire Service.

The report reviews selected research and educational initiatives that inform emergency response to electric vehicle or lithium-ion fires, with a focus on medium and heavy duty zero emissions vehicles. Its main conclusions are that there are many sources of information, including research that is in progress and possible guidelines, but there is no consensus on emergency response in Canada or internationally.

You can view the report here.

View the CAFC's page on Lithium-Ion Batteries here.

The resources tables in this report identified additional sources of news and information regarding fires and incidents involving BEVs, and their batteries during and after usage, all of which impact first responders, including firefighters.

In order to ensure access to these resources, you may find them below.

TABLE 1: TRAINING

Training	Summary	Analysis (what is done well and what are the gaps?)
GM Battery Electric Vehicle First Responder Online Training.	Online Training Course	- good intro to EVs for responders. - notes some alternative methods of fire suppression. - does not provide tactics specific to post-event i.e. clean up and disposal (water, sand, cells, etc.). - does not speak to cold weather operations.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Quick Reference - Fire Service Edition	Downloadable PDF	- available as PDFs - not readily available for on-scene usage on electronic devices.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Training Program For Emergency Responders Online Training	Online Training Course	Provides clear consistent guidance on procedures dealing with alternative fuel (including battery) vehicles. Lacks: – focuses on NFPA 52 - Vehicle Natural Gas Fuel Systems Code” (16.2.11) and other NFPA documents (2, 57, 58, 59) adopted in many states to note how first responders might identify vehicle fuel type to determine hazards and potential risks - water suppression is the only option covered for battery fires. - no alternative tactics noted. - no mention of clean-up tactics - no mention of cold weather complications
Intervenez de façon sécuritaire en tant que premier répondant lors d’incidents impliquant un véhicule électrique	In-person training course	- Identify the presence of EV and any hazards associated - Training on basic precautions when approaching an EV vehicle - Risk mitigation measures measures noted
Sécurité des intervenants lors d'interventions impliquant des véhicules électriques, hybrides et à pile à combustible	In-person training course	- ENPQ acquired a license from CCFMFC and NFPA for this course - Goes over EV basics, risks and emergency operations - Goes over Initial intervention, identification, immobilization and neutralization

TABLE 2: OTHER SELECTED RESOURCES

Online Article	Summary	Analysis (what is done well and what are the gaps?)
Fire and Emergency Policy Forward Series: Zero Emissions Technologies	Discussion of concerns regarding ZEVs for Canadian Fire Chiefs	Highlights concerns about the need for additional information and training to deal with emerging technologies
The Evolving Opportunity in EV Battery Fire Protection Materials	Notes a webinar that discussed battery protection material technology	Provides a further link to a report on such protection
6-19 Hybrid/electric and electrical vehicle safety \| Firefighter guidance notes \| ontario.ca	1. Background 2. Concerns/hazards 3. Actions for employers 4. Safety considerations 5. Pre-incident planning 6. Incident actions 7. After an incident 8. Applicable regulations and acts 9. Related	Very brief guidance May or may not yet be highly socialized across Ontario.
IAFC's Fire Department Response to Electric Vehicle Fires Bulletin	The bulletin covers pre-incident, incident actions and post-incident response.	Topics: Traffic Safety Safety & Health Resource Type: 1-pager/ summary/ infographic Organizational Author Fire Life Safety Section Safety Health Survival Section
Emergency Response to Incident Involving Electric Vehicle Battery Hazards - NFPA	Research Report	Discussion on the key findings relating to best practices for emergency response procedures for electric drive vehicle battery incidents
Vehicle Emergency Response Guides - NFPA	Links to the ERGs of 63 vehicle/equipment manufacturers of alternative fuel vehicles	Guides all seem to be available but 1) information on firefighting recommendations is usually very basic and the NTSB has suggested more specificity
Decarbonizing On Road Transportation: Transport Canada’s Zero Emission Trucking Program	Slide set of presentation from TC	Discusses policy and regulatory plans and timelines for the decarbonization of Canada’s transportation sector.
Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles (ntsb.gov)	National Transportation Safety Board.	The report provides detailed information on 4 EV fires and makes recommendations to reduce safety risks to emergency responders.
Shipping and importing devices containing lithium batteries	Transport Canada Webpage	Provides Transport Canada’s recommendations for shipping and importing devices that contain lithium batteries
Safety awareness kit for first responders	Transport Canada Webpage	This kit contains a Dangerous Goods Safety Marks handout, which will help the First Responders recognize the presence of dangerous goods at a fire site.
You’re not alone! – Practical tools for planning and responding to dangerous goods incidents	Transport Canada Webpage	This document helps first responders in planning and responding to dangerous goods incidents. It presents three types of practical worksheets, which can be adapted to fit your local needs.
CAFC Zero Emissions Technologies resource page	Webpage	This page is CAFC’s repository for all materials related to Zero emissions technologies. It will hold this report and the above-mentioned resources as well as other references that become available.

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