Fire Protection Research Foundation Workshop Summary: "Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) For Hybrid and Electric Vehicles"
Author: Casey Grant, Fire Protection Research Foundation
Date of issue: May 2012
Abstract
There is significant difference between the PPE (personal protective equipment) used by the fire service for fighting fires and by electrical professionals for handling energized electrical equipment. Recent questions have arisen on the proper PPE recommended for emergency responders handling emergency events involving hybrid or electric vehicles.
This report provides the proceedings of a one day workshop to directly address this topic. Specifically, the workshop involved emergency responders and other stakeholders coming together to develop guiding principles and recommended action steps to address the proper PPE for emergencies involving hybrid or electric vehicles, with a focus on minimizing the risk to emergency responders due to hazards involving electrically energized equipment. The summary observations and recommendations that resulted from this workshop are grouped according to general observations, personal protective equipment, and vehicle standardization for emergency responders.