Unintended Consequences: Rescuers train for hybrid crashes
Jun 23, 2009 – Angel Streeter wrote “Rescuers train for hybrid crashes” in the Florida Sun-Sentinel on June 19, 2009. Who would have thought? Capt. Joe Nelson of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said, “They have large batteries and high-voltage cables. Those are hazards our guys aren’t used to dealing with.” Extricating individuals from crashed vehicles requires new skills to avoid cutting high voltage [200 – 600 volts] cables. Also, the vehicles have different seat belts and airbags. The local Palm Tran bus has cables with 900 volts running through them and a large battery with 20 gallons of caustic liquid potassium hydroxide. Have you heard of any special problems with rescues from hybrid autos or buses? Please leave your comments here.