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Commission discusses electric‑vehicle fire procedures; asks association to draft policy
Summary
Commissioners were briefed on EV fire risks and training requirements; the Fire and Rescue Association will draft an SOP and return it for review. Speakers noted EV fires can require thousands of gallons of water and specialized nozzles.
Pittsylvania County fire leaders flagged electric‑vehicle (EV) fires as an emerging issue and asked the Fire and Rescue Association to draft a policy addressing on‑scene procedures, training and equipment.
Chiefs and county staff described a state‑level training module on lithium‑ion battery fire awareness that all county firefighters are required to take and recommended departments ensure personnel complete it. A presenter said EV fires remain less common than internal‑combustion engine fires but can be far harder to extinguish when they occur: “They can take you several thousands of gallons of water,” a speaker said, describing incidents where batteries reignited after vehicles were loaded on tow trucks.
Commissioners discussed specialized EV nozzles some stations have acquired that allow water application under a vehicle to cool battery packs. The commission asked Chief Fowler and association members to develop a draft SOP for EV‑related responses for future review by the commission.
The presentation also noted the Pittsylvania County School System operates electric buses that charge at the county bus garage; chiefs asked departments to be mindful of that facility in planning emergency response and training.
No vote was taken; the item was informational and will be converted into a draft policy by the association.
