Boston Fire Dept. receives Volvo XC40 Recharge to enhance emergency EV rescue protocols

MANILA: Volvo Car USA is assisting the Boston Fire Department in saving lives by giving the organization a fully electric XC40 Recharge SUV so that first responders can get better knowledge of post-accident safety involving battery electric vehicles (BEV).

When first responders arrive at an accident site, one of their first duties is to safely extricate occupants from the vehicle. While traditionally powered vehicles have had procedures and methods in place for decades, BEVs present new challenges.

As more all-electric vehicles hit the road, first responders must update their emergency rescue methods to safely work around the large primary battery and high-voltage wiring seen in such cars and SUVs. These factors may influence where first responders try to cut into the vehicle in order to get access to the occupants. Furthermore, BEVs with ultra-high-strength steel in their architecture, such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge, require first responders to perform even more specialized extrication techniques.

The XC40 Recharge comes with Volvo safety systems that protect both drivers and passengers, as well as first responders. There is a specialized battery safety cage with independently sealed and cooled battery modules to minimize damage and leakage, brightly colored high-voltage wiring to avoid unintended contact, and an easily accessible deactivation switch to turn off all high voltage power.

Volvo Car USA Northeast Region Vice President Eric Miller turned over the XC40 Recharge to Boston Fire Department Commissioner John Dempsey and other department personnel at a ceremony last Friday, May 6, at Boston Volvo Cars in Allston, Massachusetts.

In a statement, Miller said, “As we continue to see the rise in all-electric vehicles on our roadways, it is important to give our first responders the tools they need to be able to perform their emergency procedures effectively and to keep everyone involved safe. Volvo Cars is proud to provide the Boston Fire Department with an XC40 Recharge so they can continue to develop these procedures that are vital to the work they are doing on a daily basis.”

In parallel, Dempsey stated, “I want to thank Vice President Eric Miller and Volvo for their generous contribution. Auto extrication comes with a multitude of potential hazards to the firefighters and the victims of vehicle accidents. Electric vehicles are a part of our future and this will help us prepare for those unfortunate incidents where these learned skills will save lives.”

Photos from Volvo Car USA

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