JFB training to battle electric vehicle fires

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent on the island, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is ramping up training efforts to equip firefighters with the necessary skills to effectively respond to EV fires.

Speaking with JIS News recently, JFB Commissioner Stewart Beckford, said the entity is focusing on educating firefighters on the best response strategies. The JFB has been working closely with key stakeholders to enhance firefighter training and preparedness. These include the Jamaica Public Service, ATL Automotive and the Jamaican-German Automotive School.

"We have had about three or four of these fires on our roads already that we have responded to. As the number of these vehicles increase, we can only expect to respond to more fires involving EVs," Beckford said. He further noted that there is no foolproof method in tackling EV fires, which can take up to eight hours to extinguish and may even reignite after. A key factor contributing to the difficulty in putting out EV fires is the lithium-ion battery, which generates its own oxygen and emits highly toxic fumes when burning, posing a threat to firefighters and the public.

"So, while my firefighters may attack an internal combustion engine fire without necessarily being in a breathing apparatus, if they do that with an EV vehicle, they may not survive," he explained.