Challenges caused by electric vehicles during firefighting and technical rescue

Abstract

Thanks to the development of the automotive industry more and more cars drive on the roads of our country that are powered by alternative fuels, using some sort of electric or hybrid system. In case of an accident or fire involving these vehicles the firefighter profession faces new challenges that are becoming increasingly common. Being a brand new obstacle, finding the most optimal solutions is difficult. Currently the most important thing is passing on the already existing insight and knowledge. It is important that firefighters have the most up to date information when facing these types of accidents. Observations in Hungary and abroad will sooner or later define the best solutions to handle the problem.

Following this thought process this article was designed, in which information and knowledge is assessed based on my own experience and the instances in my county, in order to spread the insights to a larger audience, so that we can get a little closer to the solutions to these challenges. The work contains the following:

• The properties of powering alternative vehicles and the peculiarities of battery technology
• Specialties regarding the fire hazards that are present because of the nature of lithium technology
• The particularities of the bodywork of newer vehicles in case of fire

Pointing out problems that occurred during accidents through examples and suggesting solutions for them