Prius & first responders, part 2

Western NY is covered by Toyota's NY regional office in West Caldwell, NJ. Maine is covered by the Boston Regional office in Mansfield, MA. Those offices have a staff that trains dealer personnel as well as field technical specialists. They are the most knowledgeable people about hybrid systems. The problem is that they already have enough work to keep them busy full-time and there is no way they would have the time or resources to conduct training for every fire department in the region.

I don't know if you have ever seen first responders cut open a car, I have seen several demonstrations. The demonstrations I saw by several different fire departments all followed the same methods for gaining access to the car, whether it was on its roof or on its wheels. If the car was on its roof, it was stabilized and shored up so that it didn't roll or tip. The occupant was shielded with a blanket, the A and B pillars were snipped with the Hurst tool, the C-pillar was notched and then the roof was pulled back. The jaws in the Hurst tool were changed to a spreader tool and then the door is spread open. Whether the car was on its wheels or on its roof, the rescue team did not disturb the floor pan. Toyota hybrids have the high voltage wiring has bright yellow sheathing that runs under the floor so the chances of them having to possibly cut through the high voltage wiring is pretty slim.

I believe that most first responders use equipment and methods approved by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). The most logical way to train first responders is to have the NFPA issue a bulletin or offer a class.

Brilliant. Thank you.

Brent

The dealer I work for has first responders in the facility approximately twice a year for a couple of hours to go over the Prius and Highlander. The session is led by a hybrid tech, and covers all the basics like locations of high-tension wires and service plug location. This is stricly a deal between our organization and the local rescue personel, however. If you are not affiliated with a dealer in your area, I would suggest taking Rays advice and contacting your zones office.

"Ray O" wrote: snip

Thank you very much Ray...you've given me the proper name for that very useful tool "Hurst tool". I cringe everytime I hear someone, especially an educated well spoken news announcer whose speech I admire say "They used the 'jaws of life' on the car". Sounds so affected.

You're welcome!

I call it the Hurst tool but according to this web site

The impetus for initial development was they needed something to peel race car drivers out of what was left of the car after a 200-MPH wreck - the driver was still alive, but the roll cage that saved his (or her) life while moving is a liability after they come to a stop.

And when (not if) there's leaking fuel around, you obviously can't use a torch or a chop-saw to get in. That's not the kind of excitement that 50,000 fans in the stands need to see.

Hey - look what I found while Googling this:

(Fair Use Snip after first paragraph)

Complete:

Thanks...I Googled it (hadn't thought to b4) got lots of hits for 'Hurst tool' (none for Hurst Jaws of Life)...anyway, maybe I'm too critical (wife agrees).

"The Jaws Of Life!!"

It could have been called - Hurst Snip 'N Spread - hydraulic prier and extrication device (H.Y.P.E.D.) - Hurst opener and spreader (HO spreader)

Would the right person from a Toyota store's bodyshop might be a satisfactory instructor about extricating people from a hybrid? In the absence of a specialist, I mean.

Brent

Well, hell, anyone of those are better than 'the jaws of life'

Can't you just see it?...it's 4 am, a dark dirty wet night on the freeway...cop cars, firetruck and ambulance lights flashing all over...Fire Chief is a big burly guy who's looking into the crumpled up sportscar. Camera pans in for a closeup of his rugged tough rain soaked features as he squints from under his big red fireman's helmet over his shoulder and sings out "hey jimbobby! please bring me a set of those 'jaws of life' will you please"?

Just doesn't cut it...

Every dealership certified to sell hybrid vehicles must have at least 1 technician who has taken Toyota's class. The hybrid-certified technician(s) at the dealership would be better candidates to pass on info to first responders. Body shop techs probably do not have the training to handle what a first responder needs to know.

LOL! I see your point!

Thank you. You're a great resource.

Brent

You're welcome and thanks!