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Dropped by the local Fire Station

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efusco

Moderator - Model S & X forums
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Since I'm the only Model S in a almost 200 mile radius I decided to take a copy of the Emergency Response Guide by the fire station closest to me. I'd done this with my Prius 9 years ago, but nobody was interested even though mine was one of few in the area at the time. This time was a different story, 4 Fire Rescue guys came out for the walk around and to see the details about where the airbag pistons and airbags were located, the DC-DC inverter wire, No-Cut zones, etc. The Battalion Chief was especially thankful that I dropped by b/c the app that they use for training purposes had not yet been updated with the Model S (it did have the Roadster) and they obviously had never seen one before. I spent 10-15 minutes with them and probably would have gone longer but it was 30F outside and we were all freezing.

If you live in BFE, like I do, it might be worth your while to have a visit with your nearby fire-rescue folks in case they ever need to pull you out of a wreck.
 
As a firefighter myself, thank you for doing this. I have actually been taking my volt to various station around town to do the same thing (normally in a more formal class setting) In fact, several of the neighboring departments have actually stated that they are going to dispatch my engine for any crashes involving EV's, as everyone on my department has been trained on them. Still wish I could get a Model S in house for some training (and to drool over)
 
Inside the Fronk on my car, there is an instruction plate for emergency rescue. There is a tag sticking out identifying this. I did not realize it when our delivery specialist delivered the car, but he said not to remove it as it was for emergency responders. I would guess that everyone's car has this?
 
Inside the Fronk on my car, there is an instruction plate for emergency rescue. There is a tag sticking out identifying this. I did not realize it when our delivery specialist delivered the car, but he said not to remove it as it was for emergency responders. I would guess that everyone's car has this?
Yes, and that's helpful, but the details in the manual are important..for example, when they cut the wire that that tag identifies, they are supposed to actually cut twice and remove a segment of the wire to prevent the chance of accidental contact. But there are "No Cut" zones, no lift areas, the air bag pistons and airbag location, and lots of other important details for them.
 
Inside the Fronk on my car, there is an instruction plate for emergency rescue. There is a tag sticking out identifying this. I did not realize it when our delivery specialist delivered the car, but he said not to remove it as it was for emergency responders. I would guess that everyone's car has this?
What Evan said, plus -- you really don't want to have first-responders having to spend time reading little tags (which may or may not still be there after a major accident) when you or your family are trapped inside the car.
 
I've planned on doing the same thing. There is serious danger to rescuers with handling/extrication efforts from EV's. It's good for them to keep them safe and good for us, since we wouldn't want any hesitation/delay in pulling us out of our cars. I take it that the guide comes with the car? I've found the link to the guide on the Tesla website.
 
I've planned on doing the same thing. There is serious danger to rescuers with handling/extrication efforts from EV's. It's good for them to keep them safe and good for us, since we wouldn't want any hesitation/delay in pulling us out of our cars. I take it that the guide comes with the car? I've found the link to the guide on the Tesla website.

And there's a lot of unnecessary fear and ignorance out there. I still hear from first responders who talk about those "dangerous hybrids". But there is little to be concerned about...don't cut the orange wire! Whatever we can do to be ambassadors for these cars to alleviate some of that ignorance and fear, I think we should.
 
What Evan said, plus -- you really don't want to have first-responders having to spend time reading little tags (which may or may not still be there after a major accident) when you or your family are trapped inside the car.

Let me repeat and emphasize Robert's point here. I saw a little compact car wrap itself around a telephone pole once, from less than 50 feet away. We got to the car within seconds, but the car needed to be pried open like a can and there was nothing we could do. All five occupants were still alive when I arrived, though they were obviously in excruciating pain. Rescue personnel responded quickly and worked as hard as possible to get them out of the car.

But they all died... slowly... one by one... in their crumpled car.

There are few sounds so painful to one's soul as the sound of someone's last breath.

Let us, as early adopters who value both our own lives and those of others, remember to follow this great example and work to educate the community of first responders about Teslas in particular and electric vehicles in general.