New fire blankets: the future of electric vehicle firefighting
The Helena, Alabama, fire department was one of the first to purchase two fire blankets specifically for electric vehicle fires
With the rapid growth in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads, firefighters are facing new challenges. Recently, an EV fire in Pine Level, Alabama, shed light on this difficulty: taming the flames required as much as 36,000 gallons of water to extinguish. Fortunately, technology now offers a simpler and more effective solution to smother the flames: fire blankets.
An effective and safe alternative
Several fire departments are considering fire blankets as a viable alternative to traditional methods. The Helena Fire Department, one of the first in the area to adopt them, demonstrated how these blankets work. Resembling large baseball sheets, the fire blankets are spread over the burning vehicle by a team of two to four firefighters, smothering the fire gradually. The operation, while more time-consuming than traditional methods, offers many advantages in terms of safety and effectiveness.
The advantages of fire blankets
Fire blankets offer several advantages, including:
- Smother fire quickly and effectively, isolating the battery and electrical components
- Reducing the amount of water required, conserving water resources and limiting pollution from runoff
- Prevent the re-ignition of flames, a real risk with EV fires
- Are less harmful to the environment than using water and firefighting foam
A necessity despite high cost
Despite costing about $1,500 per disposable blanket, Helena Fire Chief Chris Miller believes they will become an indispensable tool on fire trucks, given the growing popularity of electric vehicles. “They are becoming a necessity,” he said. In fact, electric vehicle fires, while less frequent than gasoline vehicle fires, pose a particular challenge for firefighters. The use of water, for example, is not advisable. “Extinguishing an EV fire with water can take up to 40,000 gallons, with negative consequences for local water supply, runoff pollution and manpower use,” Miller explained.
A safer future with fire blankets
The widespread adoption of fire blankets represents a significant step forward in fighting electric vehicle fires. Their effectiveness, practicality, and safety and environmental benefits make them an indispensable weapon for the firefighters of the future.
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