First Responder Vehicle Guides
(Sources: General Motors and Nissan Corporations)
The General Motors (GM) Service Technical College imparts information to assist first responders when performing rescue duties involving hybrid-type vehicles. Each link at the GM website offers either a First Responder's Guide and/or a Quick Reference Sheet. These documents have been prepared to help apply existing knowledge of extrication safely when responding to a GM vehicle at an accident scene.
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) noted the availability of a Guide (PDF, 2.4 Mb) and also a Reference Sheet (PDF, 602 Kb) for the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt . The Volt is a front-wheel drive, four-passenger electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is propelled exclusively by electric motors. The Volt uses high voltage energy that is stored in the high voltage battery as its primary power source. However, once the battery capacity is reduced, the gasoline engine drives a generator which produces electricity to continue powering the vehicle.
This particular guide provides first responders with information on how to respond in the safest manner possible to emergency situations involving Chevrolet Volt vehicles. It contains a general description of how the vehicle systems operate, identifies the location of the unique logos, and includes illustrations of the special components. The guide also describes methods of disabling the high voltage system and identifies cut zone information.
Different than the Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Nissan Leaf has no starter, no alternator, no sparkplugs, and no gas tank. It runs strictly on electricity using technology called an “inverter,” which works to push electricity stored in the battery. This vehicle must be “plugged-in” in order for its Lithium-ion battery to be recharged. A thorough First Responder's Guide (PDF, 4 Mb) is also available for this electrically driven car.
TRANSCAER Nationwide Safety Training
(Source: TRANSCAER)
The Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) is a voluntary, nationwide outreach effort that helps communities prepare for and respond to hazardous material transportation incidents. Recently, TRANSCAER launched a nationwide Anhydrous Ammonia Training Tour to educate and train officials in 27 states across the country regarding the emergency response to anhydrous ammonia events.
T he Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned from a TRANSCAER staff executive that the Training Tour focuses on a number of safety training topics, including sessions on ammonia properties, what steps need to be taken to ensure ammonia is transported safely, hands-on training for using transport equipment properly, and information on emergency response necessary in case of an ammonia release. Particular attention is given to regions of the United States where use of anhydrous ammonia in agriculture applications is prevalent. A listing of the cities and states where the tour will occur is available for interested organizations.
The target audience for the tour events includes emergency responders, agricultural businesses, ammonia industry personnel, emergency management officials, public safety representatives, law enforcement agencies, and others related to the transportation of anhydrous ammonia.
Wildland Fire Program
(Source: International Association of Fire Chiefs)
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) contacted the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) regarding the nationwide launch this week of the “ Ready, Set, Go” (RSG) Program . RSG offers tools and resources for local responders to teach individuals who live in high-risk areas how to best prepare themselves and their properties against wildland fire threats. It also provides educational resources, tools to manage the program, news, and connections with other program participants and partners.
To significantly increase the safety of residents and firefighters, the RSG Program uses a three-step process to teach homeowners to create their own action plan of preparedness, have situational awareness, and leave early in the event of a fire. “While this program can be implemented by any local response agency, we are encouraging fire departments to step up and lead this effort in their communities,” said Chief Jack Parow, IAFC president and chairman of the board.
The RSG Program was developed for national roll out by IAFC with support from the U.S. Fire Administration , U.S. Forest Service , U.S. Department of the Interior , Firewise , and the Insurance Institute for Home Business Safety . The program works in complimentary and collaborative fashion with Firewise and other existing wildland fire public education efforts.
Assistance to Firefighters Grants
(Source: FEMA)
The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) was notified that the current website where first responders apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grants Programs will change to a new FEMA website beginning on Friday, 1 April 2011.
All applications for FEMA's fire grant programs including the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S), and information on the Assistance to Firefighters Station Construction Grants (SCG) will now be located at the new website .
All fire grants program documents, awards announcements, grants management workshops, success stories, and program application reports and statistics will now be available at the new website. See the News Release (PDF, 898 Kb) for more information about this change. |
