Hyrbrid Vehicles Pose Daunting Task In Accidents

Alternative fuel vehicles require alternative solutions.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, 1 in 5 accidents each year will involve alternative-fuel cars.

“The game changes,” said Dick Cromwell, of California Hydrogen Business Council. “It’s not your old Chevy anymore.”

A group of first responders from across the country are learning about them during a two-day workshop at the College of the Desert.

They eventually will train their colleagues on how to deal with these types of accidents.

“You could actually be submerged in water [if you’re in an electric car],” said Mark Schmidt, from the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. “You’re not going to be electrocuted. The first responders can go into the water.”

Propane-fueled trucks, he said, are safer than you think even if their fuel tanks are located on the truck bed.

“It just doesn’t light. It doesn’t explode,” he said.

Cathedral City High School teacher Hank Adolfi, who teaches healthcare classes, said he will pass on his knowledge to students who want to become first responders.

“Both in terms of how they drive it and –if they have an accident– what to do if they’re the driver or the first responder,” he said.

First responders’ chances of dealing with alternative-fuel car accidents increase everyday. Their knowledge could make a difference between life and death.

“If you go in there with the Jaws of Life and cut the wrong thing, it could be real embarrassing for everybody,” said Cromwell.