For Immediate Release
June 10, 2011
Judy Moore, Assist. Director Communications
(304) 293-7882, [email protected]
Educating First Responders on Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Train-the-Trainer Workshop
Palm Desert, Calif. – With the number of alternative fuel and electric drive vehicles increasing rapidly, there is a great need for first responders to be adequately trained on how to properly respond to accidents involving these vehicles.
First responders, instructors from various colleges, Clean Cities Coordinators and a range of technicians will be participating in a First Responder Safety Train- the-Trainer two-day workshop at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., June 13-14. The training will be conducted by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) at West Virginia University and co-hosted by the Clean Cities Coachella Valley Region. The training is part of the Clean Cities Learning Program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program, to develop classroom materials to raise awareness about alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies.
The First Responder Safety Training Train-the-Trainer Workshop consists of four modules, which include biofuels and biofuel vehicles, gaseous fuels and gaseous fuel vehicles, hydrogen and hydrogen-powered vehicles and electric drive vehicles. The two-day workshop will teach instructors how to deliver a two-day first responder training in their local area, thereby teaching emergency personnel what they need to know about alternative fuel vehicles and how to respond to an accident scene, especially when involving extrication. The First Responder Safety Training’s target audiences are firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and hazardous response officials.
To kick off the workshop, NAFTC Clean Cities Learning Program Project Manager Catherine Mezera will provide introductions about the NAFTC and the Clean Cities Learning Program, followed by an overview of the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program by Richard Cromwell III, Coachella Valley Region Clean Cities Coordinator.
Along with extensive classroom instruction, the training will include the opportunity to become familiar with the various types of electric drive and alternative fuel vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, Honda Clarity, a propane vehicle provided by Roush CleanTech and many more. Participants will also have a variety of other hands-on training demonstrations such as exploding an airbag, viewing fires with geothermal imaging cameras and much more. Additional information on the Clean Cities Learning Program First Responder Safety Training can be found at http://www.naftc.wvu.edu/cleancitieslearningprogram/firstrespondersafetytraining/overviewfrst.
“Alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles are the future of transportation,” NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron said. “These next generation vehicles will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and help keep our air clean. Because alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles are becoming more prevalent and will continue to increase in popularity, first responders must understand the differences between these cars and trucks and conventional, gasoline-powered vehicles. The First Responder Safety Training provides a proactive approach to keeping emergency personnel and the citizens they serve safe."
"With the Clean Cities Learning Program, the NAFTC has been increasing availability and awareness of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles while training Clean Cities coordinators, technicians, first responders and instructors,” Ebron added.
For more information about the upcoming First Responder Safety Training, contact Judy Moore at (304) 293-7882, or [email protected].
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About the Clean Cities Learning Program
The Clean Cities Learning Program is a project funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program. Developed by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium and its partners, the Clean Cities Learning Program will raise awareness and foster a greater understanding of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. This effort will provide Clean Cities Coalitions and other stakeholders with state-of-the art curricula and training, education and outreach materials and a concentrated marketing and communications plan. One of the most unique aspects of this project is the focus on developing a nationwide partnership between U.S. DOE Clean Cities Coalitions and NAFTC National Training Centers. This partnership will provide target audiences with awareness and technical education that encourage decisions to adopt vehicles and fuels that will significantly reduce the consumption of petroleum-based fuels.
About the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium is the only nationwide alternative fuel vehicle and advanced technology vehicle training organization in the U.S. The NAFTC’s mission is to provide the training infrastructure for implementing the widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. The effort to increase our nation’s energy security, as well as improve air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is embodied in the NAFTC’s motto “Because Clean Air and Energy Independence Matter.” Founded in 1992, the NAFTC is headquartered at West Virginia University and consists of National Training Centers located nationwide from Maine to California. Each center provides Training with Impact through its experienced instructors and real-world shop facilities. Numerous other members from secondary schools, small businesses, government and industry also support the NAFTC’s mission. More than 1,100 courses have been conducted by the NAFTC, resulting in more than 16,500 trained technicians in AFVs and advanced technology vehicles.
