Hybrid Cars Rescue

According to road rescue people, hybrid cars rescue involves particular danger areas, partly due to the dangers related to the cars' unique electric circuitry network.

Hybrid cars get power from two sources, typically a gas or diesel engine combined with an electric motor.

The battery that powers the electric motor carries as much as 500 volts, more than 40 times the strength of a standard battery.

Because of that voltage, in comparison to traditional cars, there are now added safety concerns for rescue workers.

However, overall, hybrid cars get high remarks from rescue workers for clear markings of the dangerous parts of the engines, plus for the overall safety design of cars.

However, because of the novelty of the hybrid cars (first new generation hybrids were introduced in 1999 in the U.S.), sometimes simply recognizing a car as a hybrid can pose problems.

Also, there are increased safety risk involved when disconnecting the battery and turning off the key immediately before cutting into a car, as that's not always possible.

Hybrid Cars Rescue - Education

One of the best ways to increasing rescue worker safety concerning hybrid cars is continuing education.

There are ongoing efforts around the country to educate rescue workers on how to handle situations involving hybrid cars.

As part of that education, The Alachua County Fire Rescue in Gainesville, Florida, even has two hybrids of its own for educational purposes.

One educational center for rescue workers that has gained nationwide recognition on hybrid rescue is the Mid-Del Technology Center in Del City, Oklahoma.

Some of these organizations are bringing their educational material available online for the benefit of overall rescue worker community.

These resources include (links open up new windows):

• Alachua County Fire Department material on hybrid cars (from 2001)
• Rescuer's Guide to Vehicle Safety Systems by Holmatro publishing