Iowa Department of Public Safety
Larry L. Noble, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Raymond A. Reynolds, Director

NFPA Holds Electric Vehicle Safety Training for Iowa First Responders

Ames, IOWA --- The Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host an in-classroom “train-the-trainer” session on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Training Bureau in Ames. As part of NFPA’s national Electric Vehicle Safety Training Project, this course will provide Iowa firefighters with information to help them most effectively respond to emergency situations involving the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Participants also will be able to use the new information and resources to prepare other firefighters and first responders throughout the state. Iowa is the third state to take part in the NFPA “train-the-trainer” program.

Bureau Chief, Randy Novak, said the Fire Service Training Bureau is pleased to work with NFPA in the effort to train first responders across the country. "The safety training will help prepare firefighters in Iowa to protect themselves and citizens when emergency situations occur,” he said. “Our firefighters understand the importance of familiarity when it comes to new vehicle technology. Participation in this course is an important step to better protect the communities we serve.”

NFPA instructor Christopher Pepler will cover a variety of topics specific to both hybrid and electric vehicles during the 8-hour course, including the extrication process, risk of electric shock, handling new types of batteries, and challenges presented by charging stations.

The training will also feature an live training demonstration involving a Honda Insight. Participants will be able to experience first-hand the new technologies and special features included in the electric-hybrid vehicle.

According to NFPA President James M. Shannon, electric vehicle education is critical to emergency training for first responders across the country. “Technology that was once thought of as futuristic, is fast becoming reality,” Shannon said. “NFPA, with state fire academies across the country, is supporting the large scale introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles by helping ensure that firefighters and first responders are familiar with any new car that is coming down the road.”

In addition to the classroom experience and hands-on training, each participant will receive an instructor's guide and quick reference manual specific to electric vehicles, as well as a multimedia disc containing all of the course content. Participants also receive a Certificate of Completion at the conclusion of the course.

For more information about the electric vehicle training series, and to register for upcoming sessions, visit: www.evsafetytraining.org/Training

About NFPA
NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international, nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

About NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training Project
NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is a nationwide program to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States. The NFPA project, funded by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, provides first responders with information they need to most effectively deal with potential emergency situations involving electric vehicles.

About the Iowa Fire Service Bureau
The mission of the Fire Service Training Bureau is to provide quality training and education for Iowa’s fire and emergency services. The Fire Service Training Bureau is Iowa’s designated state fire academy, training Iowa’s firefighters since 1923. The Bureau provides quality training and education for Iowa’s fire and emergency services.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lorraine Carli NFPA Public Affairs 617-984-7275 publicaffairs@nfpa.org
Randal Novak Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau 888-469-2374 novak@dps.state.ia.us

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