WOODLANDS FIRE CHIEF FIGHTING FUD ON REPORTING OF VEHICLE CRASH
1. The vehicle did NOT "burn out of control for four hours"
- "our guys got there and out down the fire within two to three minutes"
2. The firefighters were working primarily to protect a crime scene
- “We could not tear it apart or move it around to get ‘final extinguishment’ because the fact that we had two bodies in there and it was an investigation-slash-crime scene,” Buck explained
3. The initial reports were of a forest fire, not a motor vehicle
- "The first report to emergency dispatchers came at about 9:25 pm on Saturday with reports of a forest fire, not a motor vehicle," Buck said
4. “The first calls that came in were a fire in the woods. Then at 9:30 pm we got the first call when someone said, ‘I see a car in a tree and it is on fire,’” Buck added. “They reported a car hit a tree, and it had exploded…that is when we added extra units (to the response)"
5. Buck said modern vehicles naturally present new challenges to firefighters who respond to crashes
Traditional ‘jaws of life’ equipment cannot cut through strengthened steel frames as it can with older cars using weaker materials
6. High-powered batteries not normally seen outside of factory or industrial settings as well as a maze of electrical wiring that can still be live and shock first responders require more care in these outdoor conditions
7. “In the Tesla, the (batteries) kind of make up the floorboard of the car. They make like a rectangle,” Buck added
"The car would occasional have flames come back up. We just left a small stream of water on (the battery) to keep it cool. That is what is recommended by Tesla.”
8. Rumors that the Fire Department called a Tesla ‘hotline’ for tips on how to battle the blaze are inaccurate
- Buck said “We did not call Tesla, and I do not know where that rumor came from"
"Tesla has an emergency manual for first responders,” Buck said
9. Firefighters continually improve their skills
“It is our job to keep up with the newest technologies, whether it is electric cars or other newer vehicles"
“We upgrade our tools and upgrade our training and processes"
"It is really continuing education to keep up with new technology"
"In the Tesla emergency manual, the company has made special notes for people of where to cut the lines to cut power"
"For us, it is a reminder why we have to keep on top of new technology and know how these cars can potentially fail"
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