A case study exploring firefighters’ and municipal officials’ preparedness for electrical vehicles

European Transport Research Review

Original Paper

Christina Stave¹  Annelie Carlson² 

[1] VTI, Swedish National Transport Research Institute, Box 8072, SE-402 78, Göteborg, Sweden;VTI, Swedish National Transport Research Institute, Box 8072, SE-402 78, Göteborg, Sweden;VTI, Swedish National Transport Research Institute, S-481 95, Linköping, Sweden;

关键词: Firefighter;    Electric vehicles;    Safety training;    Traffic accident;   

DOI  :  10.1007/s12544-017-0240-1

 received in 2016-08-01, accepted in 2017-04-11,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

PurposeThis study presents a social perspective on new vehicle technology. It explores the self-reported preparedness of the fire departments (i.e., rescue services) in Sweden’s three largest cities regarding rescue operations involving electrical vehicles (EVs).MethodsIn this multi-method study, in-depth interviews were performed with emergency service officers and municipal officers in each city.ResultsThe results indicate that firefighters have little experience of accidents with EVs and they are learning reactively. The risks were not clearly identified. More knowledge is needed of identifying and disconnecting electricity in EVs. A more efficient way to find information about new vehicles is vital concerning the safety aspect in rescue operations. The level of knowledge about new vehicle technology varied between departments. For the municipal officers, environmental aspects are of most interest, whereas safety and rescue operations involving EVs are rarely addressed. The responsibility for disseminating information about the safe handling of EVs was unclear.ConclusionThe fire departments need more resources for education and training to keep up with technical developments and to be proactive. Another desired development is a solution for easy access to vehicle information. Since the environmental issues are setting the agenda, not the safety issues, lesser environment risks could become greater safety risks. We stress the need for various occupational decision making at all levels of society to cooperate in order to take responsibility for the safe introduction for new more environmentally friendly transport vehicle technique and disseminating safety information in a collected and systematic way.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2017