The increasing popularity of hybrids was accompanied by an increased amount of information provided to firefighters on how to deal with them when they have been involved in an accident. A quick internet search on anything hybrid related with provide a large amount of information geared toward firefighters. One interesting thing is that for the first time the automobile manufactures started to labeled things for us on the vehicle, particularly, what not to cut in an emergency. They have since taken this idea of providing information to firefighters one step further… The manufactures have now started to include information of where we should cut. These labels are now being utilized on non-hybrid vehicles as well. For instance, the pictures used in this post were taken on a full sized, four door, diesel pick-up truck.
Chevy, for example, calls these labels “First Responder Tags†and “Cable Cut Tags.†They install the “First Responder Tag†(shown above) near the hood opening directing to the proximity of the cut tags, and the “Cable Cut Tags†(shown below) are located on a cable near the under hood fuse panel. In this case, this truck (being a diesel) has two batteries. As shown in the photos, there is only one cut tag, leading us to belive that making one quick cut will disable the entire electrical system. So take it for what it’s worth. the manufactures are showing us exactly where to cut in order to remove the electrical hazards, or we could go old school and do traditional cable cuts near the battery, it’s up to you.
We had a rep from Chevy come out and do a demonstration with the Volt.
Two things:
1) When cutting the cable with the yellow tag, the best method is to make two cuts – one on either side of that tag – so that the ends do not remain in close proximity. Pretty standard stuff for most of us as our normal procedures for battery terminals are similar.
2) In between the seats, in the bottom of the center console compartment is a component very similar to a handheld tool battery that can be disconnected to shut down the power system. It takes a few minutes for the capacitors to discharge, and the manufacturer says it’s not 100% guaranteed (sounds like covering their ass to me).
There is an app for smartphones that is free. It is called “Extricate”. It seems to be updated frequently. The app shows you a diagram of the car and shows you where all of the key components are such as reinforcements, airbag components and electrical components.
Its listed by make, model and year. The pictures are small depending on the size of your phone screen, but you can zoom in. Bunch of our guys have them on their phones.
Haven’t we been taught in extrication class to never cut a yellow cable on a hybrid vehicle and now they go and label the cable that’s suppose to be cut with a yellow sticky tag that wont last 5 years. SMART!!!!! God help you new bucks and thank god I’m done in 18 months…
VES, thanks for that info… It will be shared in an upcoming VMR Ops Class I’m teaching.
@ Mike, you may like “Extraction Zones Pro” a lot better. And yes I spelled it correctly. Not sure why that can’t spell extrication lol
Also, the NFPA is working to produce an APP for computers and smart phones (similar to Holmatro’s Book but on electronic) that will be regularly updated. I was taking a TtT for teaching Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Safety and the gentleman from NFPA who is in charge of the program gave us samples of some of the data sheets for vehicles that will be included. When complete, it should be the most comprehensive electronic tool availible for tactical identification purposes and hazard warnings.
Lt. Johnny
One of Polk Countys training Capts came by here a few weeks ago and did a new car technology class that was pretty good. Had section on magnesium, the different types of hybrids and where the new airbags were hiding and may be powered/charged from among other things. One of the things I came away with is that there is no such thing as standardization among manufactures as far as airbags and or high voltage battery or even 12 volt battery locations. Best thing we could come up with is visualize before cutting or spreading, and chock the wheels on the off chance that what you thought you did to shut down the power to a given vehicle-didnt work.
Mark, I have heard about car company reps coming to a fire dept to demonstrate and show the workings of hybrid vehicles and have been interested in getting someone to come down to my dept. My question is how and who did you get in contact with in order to set up such a meeting? Someone at a local dealer?
Thanks
Kraig, Chevy dealerships here in my area actually have a “shared” Volt that has all the interior/exterior panels removed to expose the cables wires and such. They have left it in the station for three days to allow all the shifts to get their eyes on it along with a Chevy rep to come talk about the vehicle. All that we had to do was step into the local dealership and ask!
DownLow. Thanks for the info and Ill be sure to contact a local dealer. Always good to find some indoor training when the weather turns cold. Thanks again
For those who want to leave a reference on the rig for everyone, check out: http://www.awdirect.com/hybrid%2Dvehicle%2Djump%2Dstart%2Dtowing%2Dhigh%2Dvoltage%2Dshut%2Ddown%2Dmanual%2Dhh1/manuals%2Deducation/
http://www.awdirect.com/hybrid-vehicle-jump-start-high-voltage-shut-down-manual-hh3/manuals-education/
http://www.sceneoftheaccident.com/
This company taught a class at my dept. a couple years ago that was pretty good. Host site (my fd) was comped a few spots with a class total of about 25 students I think….
Pretty interesting when they actually show you what happens when you cut a hybrid battery line.
Check ’em out.
tooltime: RE : It appears that the cable cut here tags are for 12V cables. Not the “Orange” High Voltage lines associated with Hybrids.
Another App available is iCRS Lite. This app has diagrams for all model vehicles of every manufacturer. Not just the hybrids like Extricate. It costs some money, but if your dept would reimburse you its well worth it, especially if youre a busy Rescue Co.