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Woodstock fire chief details challenges and new equipment for electric‑vehicle fires
Summary
Fire Chief Dobson told council EV fires are less frequent but more complex than internal combustion fires, describing risks such as thermal runaway, toxic runoff and potential reignition; department purchased a fire blanket and a Kawasaki mule with compressed‑foam system and trained on parking‑deck scenarios.
Woodstock’s fire department briefed council on Aug. 18 about emergency response preparations for electric‑vehicle (EV) fires, describing technical differences between EV and internal‑combustion fires and new equipment the department is using.
Chief Dobson said EV fires occur less often than internal‑combustion vehicle fires but are “more complicated of an event.” He cited thermal runaway as a key challenge, warned of potential reignition and said EV battery fires can produce highly toxic chemicals and acidic runoff that pose environmental and cleanup concerns. He described higher flame temperatures in thermal‑runaway scenarios and noted that EV fires can require substantially more water or other suppression tactics to cool battery packs and prevent spread.
To respond, Dobson described a layered approach: engineering controls (sprinklers, standpipes) for parking structures; operational investments including a fire blanket that reduced ambient temperatures by about 50% in training exercises; and a Kawasaki mule outfitted with a 30‑gallon compressed‑foam system that can be driven into structures to support firefighters. The department has also trained with high‑rise packs and preplanned access points for parking decks.
Dobson said the city’s 2024 vehicle‑fire responses included incidents across vehicle types and that only one EV fire on record involved a Tesla in a crash where the battery itself did not initiate the fire. He emphasized the need for early detection, quick attack and planning to prioritize rapid vehicle removal when feasible.
What’s next: Fire staff will continue training on EV scenarios, coordinate with building engineering for deck protection and refine deployment plans for the mule and fire blanket in enclosed spaces.
