Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
#1
04-20-2006, 04:50 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
. . .
By Patti Dobranski
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Fireman Shawn Stitely does not want to be electrocuted cutting into a hybrid car to rescue a passenger trapped inside. Hybrid cars use an electric motor working in synergy with a gasoline engine to power the vehicle and save on fuel costs. Hybrid cars pack a 245-volt punch and some hybrid-charged sport-utility models use a 650-volt system.
That has raised fears that the system could electrocute an unwitting rescuer who cuts into a wrecked hybrid when its cut-off switch fails and electricity is still coursing through a cable routed under the passenger compartment. Another concern is that the jolt could also kill the people inside the car. . . .
By Patti Dobranski
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Fireman Shawn Stitely does not want to be electrocuted cutting into a hybrid car to rescue a passenger trapped inside. Hybrid cars use an electric motor working in synergy with a gasoline engine to power the vehicle and save on fuel costs. Hybrid cars pack a 245-volt punch and some hybrid-charged sport-utility models use a 650-volt system.
That has raised fears that the system could electrocute an unwitting rescuer who cuts into a wrecked hybrid when its cut-off switch fails and electricity is still coursing through a cable routed under the passenger compartment. Another concern is that the jolt could also kill the people inside the car. . . .
At last, justification for a custom license plate and something to shake off the tailgaters:
HYBRID HIGH VOLTAGES!
47FY1234
DANGER-KEEP 100 FT. AWAY!
PASS CAREFULLY! KEEP DISTANCE!
47FY1234
DANGER-KEEP 100 FT. AWAY!
PASS CAREFULLY! KEEP DISTANCE!
Add a flashing Red and Yellow LED set in the plate holder . . . this could work. We'll scare the BeJezus out of the tailgating SUVs.
Bob Wilson
Bob Wilson
Last edited by bwilson4web; 04-20-2006 at 05:15 PM.
#2
04-20-2006, 05:47 PM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
I don't think the high voltage lines should pose much of a threat, as they are wrapped in bright orange plastic tubing, near the fuel lines on the bottom of the car (I can't imagine rescue workers would want to cut through fuel lines, either). Also, most are designed with a failsafe to disconnect completely in the event that the airbag goes off. Finally, those lines should only actually have a live DC current if the battery is discharging or charging.
#3
04-20-2006, 06:33 PM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
If you want to ward off tailgaters, I think the only effective measure will be a huge "RADIATION HAZARD" sign, and some evidence that you aren't kidding. The hybrid drivetrain was designed with rescue workers in mind, and may pose a small threat but only in the case of extreme malfunction.
#4
04-20-2006, 06:36 PM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
My brother is a volunteer firefighter, and he recently went through "hybrid rescue" training. He was told that a burning Prius is safe to spray with a fire hose, but a Civic hybrid (and many others) do run the risk of electrocuting the firefighters. 
#6
04-20-2006, 10:37 PM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
First Responder Guide provided by Ford regarding its Ford Escape Hybrid:
Ford Escape Hybrid Emergency Response Guide
I'm sure the other manufacturer's have compiled similar guides. I inquired with my local fire department and they have a whole CD-ROM based training curriculum for their firefighters and other first responders.
Ford Escape Hybrid Emergency Response Guide
I'm sure the other manufacturer's have compiled similar guides. I inquired with my local fire department and they have a whole CD-ROM based training curriculum for their firefighters and other first responders.
#7
04-20-2006, 11:03 PM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
Originally Posted by GeekGal
First Responder Guide provided by Ford regarding its Ford Escape Hybrid:
Ford Escape Hybrid Emergency Response Guide
I'm sure the other manufacturer's have compiled similar guides. I inquired with my local fire department and they have a whole CD-ROM based training curriculum for their firefighters and other first responders.
Ford Escape Hybrid Emergency Response Guide
I'm sure the other manufacturer's have compiled similar guides. I inquired with my local fire department and they have a whole CD-ROM based training curriculum for their firefighters and other first responders.
Very cool.
This is for the most part one of those non-issues that gets circulated every now and then by the media. Seriously, I think this if the fifth time in the last 10 months this story has been run.
#8
04-21-2006, 06:01 AM
#9
04-21-2006, 11:03 AM
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
Anyway, it's good to know the rescuers CAN safely get to me if something goes wrong!
--A
#10
04-21-2006, 12:56 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Re: Hybrid cars may pose risk to rescuers
Originally Posted by Adelwyn
. . . One question remains (WAY off topic)-- the battery pack is smaller than the entire width of the back seat, so why could they not have designed a little ski-hole type thing into the seat? . . .
- dismount the battery pack (DO IT SAFELY)<
- install split seat backs and hinges<
- lock one-side in place to hold the battery pack<
- mount the battery pack (SAFTEY) <
Just idle speculation.
Bob Wilson
