NAFTC Develops Specialized First Responder Training Classes

“The NAFTC is very excited to be developing these two much-needed courses,” said Mike Smyth, assistant director of curriculum development and training. “Many times law enforcement or EMS personnel are the first to arrive at a vehicular incident and are responsible for dealing directly with alternative fuel vehicles. Our partnership with Tulsa Area Clean Cities is making specialized training for these two important groups possible.”

NAFTC comments that alternative fuel vehicles are different than conventional vehicles, and it is critical that all first responders be properly trained to deal with accidents involving these vehicles. Firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel work in chaotic environments with pressing time constraints, and they must know how to safely and quickly secure an accident scene. At the same time, drivers are looking for alternative ways to fuel their vehicles. These alternative fuels and the vehicles they power have special safety considerations and, in many cases, a first responder cannot assume that the appropriate safety standards applicable to conventional vehicles are the same.

“The NAFTC’s original first responder training has been condensed and tailored for these specific audiences to better prepare our first responders to handle traffic incidents involving alternative fuel vehicles,” added Adriane Jaynes, Tulsa Area Clean Cities coalition coordinator. “The new format and targeted information means more depth and time to focus on the specific responsibilities of each audience.” The courses will include information on gaseous fuel, biofuel, electric drive, and hydrogen-powered vehicles and will be available as both end-user and train-the-trainer classes.