Free Online Training: Response to EV Incidents - Foundation Training @ AFAC

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Free Online Training: Response to EV Incidents - Foundation Training @ AFAC
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besttechadvisor on 30/06/2025 - 09:44 afac.com.au (1142 clicks)
Last edited 30/06/2025 - 12:42 by 1 other user

This training comes recommended by members of my RFB. I have not undertaken it yet but plan to do so.

As part of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS), the Australian Government has recognised the need for world-leading guidance and targeted training of emergency response personnel. This is to ensure the safety of responders when dealing with electric vehicle (EV) incidents and fires involving high-voltage lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

To address this, AFAC has been commissioned to develop a nationally consistent online training package designed to equip emergency responders with the knowledge and strategies required to manage a range of EV-related scenarios.

Developed in collaboration with TAFE NSW and subject matter experts from across Australia and internationally—and funded by the Australian Government—this training is now available to all emergency responders nationwide.

This interactive, scenario-based eLearning course is self-paced and should take approximately 3.5 hours. It is delivered across eight modules and introduces key hazards and safe response strategies in a clear, easy-to-follow format.

Please don't let this turn into a stoopid EV vs ICE debate… Horses combust less often than either.

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Comments

    • twistz on 30/06/2025 - 10:06
      +30

      C'mon mate. Did you even read the main post?

        • alitadark on 30/06/2025 - 10:11
          +30

          lmao. Imagine being this blind.

        • Flyerone on 30/06/2025 - 10:25
          +21

          Username checks out.

      • taki on 30/06/2025 - 12:35
        +3

        Globally~ 18% EV fires ruring charging + 2% within 1h after disconnecting (overheating).
        Overall risk of EV fire is extremely low ~0.0012% 2010–2023. BYD Blade 2 is superior in for safety (Lithium Iron Phosphate LFP).
        EV home charging equipment is linked to fewer fire incidents than common household appliances (stoves, dryers, space heaters).

        EVs >20x fire safe than Petrol or Diesel vehicles.

        Only 20 EV charging fires in 2020. ~Older or Poorly Installed Equipment.
        Faulty Electrical Wiring or Overload: old circuits (bad standards). Inferior or damaged charging cables, connectors, adapters…
        Charging for extended periods or no auto-shutoff features.

        Charging in extreme temperatures (very hot or cold) can cause wear on equipment& increase fire risk.

        Professional certified electrician. Check Equipment Regularly. Use approved/tested.
        Install dedicated circuit breakers for EV chargers. Avoid charging overnight without checking periodically to prevent overheating.

        • outlander on 30/06/2025 - 16:07
          -2

          Ruring charging?

          Still early days on that. Part of the problem with lithium batteries is that they are self fueling. It's kind of like having a few jerry cans of petrol, except worse because the oxygen is there too so it will burn very fast and very intense.

          So less chance of fire might be counterbalanced with more catastrophic damage. Most reported fires just damage the immediate room, but if your charging a car with an 80kwh battery in your garage I don't think that'll be the case. I think it's taking your whole house down (and maybe the neighbours)

          • rooster7777 on 30/06/2025 - 19:57

            @outlander: Unfortunately the lack of common awareness between the two major different types of lithium is very widespread.
            Lithium Iron batteries, and the commonly called lithium ion (cobalt etc anodes) are a completely different risk profile… a bit like the difference between the risk of a having an accident with a can of diesel vs a can of petrol.
            When considering EV fire risk, it is a key factor in the conversation.

            • outlander on 01/07/2025 - 12:28

              @rooster7777: Most electric cars on the road today will have lithium ion batteries. That will change in time, but for now it's the main concern visa vis fire risk.

    • peterc on 30/06/2025 - 10:09

      LOL!!!!!

    • Schildkrote on 30/06/2025 - 10:16
      +16

      Laptop/phone batteries have had issues including some notable bad incidents on planes, but this is like saying "laptops and phones are a fad" we'll all be back on desktop computers in the next decade.

      • Merlict on 30/06/2025 - 10:18
        +17

        This guy probably thinks planes are a fad, we'll be back to good old sailing ships any day now.

        • MDSUXKS on 30/06/2025 - 10:51
          +2

          They probably haven't take the plane in their life's.

          • 1st-Amendment on 02/07/2025 - 17:27

            @MDSUXKS:

            They probably haven't take the plane in their life's.

            At least he knows how to spell and how to use an apostrophe…

            • MDSUXKS on 03/07/2025 - 01:24

              @1st-Amendment: Great for him hey. I bet 1/3 of people even don't know what the word apostrophe means and well done on picking this up you deserve a clap 👏. But just one.

        • taki on 30/06/2025 - 11:41

          Titanic ;)

      • FlourishingFarter on 30/06/2025 - 12:15

        Pretty sure they said EVs.

    • senectus on 30/06/2025 - 10:21

      rofl.

    • peterc on 30/06/2025 - 11:10
      +2

      You must work for a oil company!

    • Morven on 30/06/2025 - 12:28
      +3

      I was working for a computer magazine in 1994 when the editor of a neighbouring magazine told me "the internet is just a fad".

      • 1st-Amendment on 02/07/2025 - 17:29
        +1

        I was working for a computer magazine in 1994 when the editor of a neighbouring magazine told me "double denim and frosted tips will never go out of style".

    • WhiteEvo6 on 30/06/2025 - 15:18

      Good luck being the last person left not owning an EV

      Once insurance rates skyrocket for those driving their own cars vs full self driving from the likes of Tesla and other brands pushing FSD and the number of accident being almost zero its going to be really hard for people to pay double for insurance to drive themselves plus the cost of fuel going to double or triple as people move even if its reluctantly to an EV

      • BatmanAU on 30/06/2025 - 15:38

        Good luck with your insurance going up when Tesla and the likes, full self driving crash into each other. Im a Tesla owner and I would absolutely not trust full self driving to save myself. Especially when Tesla's randomly see an imaginary 40km speed sign on a 110km highway and slam on the brakes.

        • dtpearson on 01/07/2025 - 19:06

          And you should know that your Autopilot software has not really been significantly improved for many years now (largely the same driving ability as when I bought my M3P back in 2019. Tesla has only really worked on FSD in the USA market in recent years, where it is FAR more advanced than our LHD software. They have started delivering some cars in the USA from the factory to customers completely driverless now.

      • Brick Tamland on 30/06/2025 - 16:27

        I mean that scenario is not really an issue for like 20 - 30 years time.

  • Hinee on 30/06/2025 - 10:07
    +13

    When it comes to lithium battery fires, you really do need to give A FAC

    • Schildkrote on 30/06/2025 - 10:16

      lit!

    • meong on 30/06/2025 - 11:37
      -2

      this comment is 🔥

  • willyroo on 30/06/2025 - 10:25
    +9

    Horses combust less often than either

    :)

    And EVs combust less than ICEs - various sources via TopGear

    • besttechadvisor on 30/06/2025 - 11:22
      +14

      Sure, but horses combust far less often than any car.

      Also, the lifespan of a horse is 25-30 years while the average life of a car is just 8 years. It's also really inconvenient to charge your EV or fill up your ICE car at specific areas, whereas a horse can eat grass just about anywhere.

      Sorry, but I still think cars are a fad.

      • ccir on 30/06/2025 - 11:40
        +3

        Says you. I've bought 2 horses and a pony so far and they all combusted within 5 years of purchase. What I learned is too much friction and lack of lubricant isn't good for them.

      • taki on 30/06/2025 - 11:45

        Europe, Lithuania, Estonia, Greece…among the highest avg age of cars, often exceeding 16 years ;)

        • rooster7777 on 30/06/2025 - 20:09

          Never realised that some of those countries should be role models for not being consumer throw away societies…
          Thinking about it, my youngest car is 17 years old. I do have an ag bike that's a young 7 years old.
          But my other 3 motorbikes have a combined age of 149 years… a couple of tractors combined age of about 130 years, a couple of bus motorhomes with a combined age of 54 years….. and some others, but most of them aren't operational.
          Someone above's comment about the average age of australian cars being 8 years old sounds astounding… but I guess when one considers the cost of replacement parts in accidents, statutory write offs probably make sense.
          I saw the other day $3K for a headlight assembly that probably costs less than $100 to make. That's a verrry good reason why older cars can be much more economical…. though if an EV manufacturer could guarantee not going broke or leaving the australian market… and sold a cheap EV with a good range I'd be tempted. (which probably means something with around 100KW or less…)

      • Matt P on 30/06/2025 - 11:50

        Look at my horse, my horse is amazing

    • 1st-Amendment on 02/07/2025 - 17:40

      And EVs combust less than ICE

      Risk is usually calculated with two factors, likelihood of occurrence, and severity of consequences.

      An EV bus fire for example might happen less often,. but if it incinerates a bus load of school children then it's a higher overall risk.
      A diesel bus fire might be more likely, but very rarely is it fast enough to kill everyone on-board in seconds.

      https://youtu.be/T71cVhxG_v4?t=61

  • Lead Wings on 30/06/2025 - 10:35
    +2

    "Horses combust less often than either." https://horseandcountry.tv/horses-more-deadly-snakes

    • r33tom on 30/06/2025 - 11:42
      +1

      And 100% recyclable.

      • Matt P on 30/06/2025 - 11:51
        +1

        Ikea has enetered the chat

  • payton on 30/06/2025 - 10:43
    +3

    Response to EV Incidents

    Run!
    That is all

    • MDSUXKS on 30/06/2025 - 10:52

      Get out of mushroom 🍄 please haha

    • Fredfloresjr on 30/06/2025 - 10:59

      ahahaha L take. Move on green haired man.

  • eddyah on 30/06/2025 - 11:05
    +4

    Upvoted - thanks OP

    As someone who's rich enough to own an EV, but dumb enough to park it under where they sleep at night - I'm down to spend 3.5 hours learning how bad the fire will be if it happens.

    • MDSUXKS on 30/06/2025 - 17:28

      You must be a milionaire hey to have a EV you shoulndt care about teh fire since you live in a castle rigth? That is great initiative and they will do something for home batteries as well, since yet thinngs are unlikely to go wrong, but if does have an idea on whta to do. This iwll be common knlodge in a few years.

      • eddyah on 30/06/2025 - 22:32
        +1

        Yes I'm a millionaire but this is Australia where homes built with sticks are worth millions of dollars because of pyramid economics

        • MDSUXKS on 30/06/2025 - 23:26

          Very true.

  • Yingjunl88 on 30/06/2025 - 11:23

    It asks for agency and role…can non emergency responder join?

    • besttechadvisor on 30/06/2025 - 11:27

      The course is available to people with an AFAC membership, and I believe that membership is open to the public.

      I'll have a look after work, but if the question isn't mandatory then I'd just leave it blank.

    • Avi0001 on 30/06/2025 - 11:42

      You can choose others as your initial work and it will go through.

  • krisspy on 30/06/2025 - 11:38

    When a 200w rc lithium pack vents, you really just throw it in sand and wait for it to finish itself off.

    I dunno what you can really do when it's a massive 60-100kw battery

    • outlander on 30/06/2025 - 16:14

      Build it in a catapult, and if it starts thermal runaway yet it over the fence at the neighbours
      Boi-ing

  • freeb1e4me on 30/06/2025 - 11:49
    -1

    Just an excuse to charge people in this industry

  • dealmaker on 30/06/2025 - 12:10
    +1

    So, should I make the EV switch or wait?

    • beefsandwich on 30/06/2025 - 12:15
      +1

      Wait

      • dealmaker on 30/06/2025 - 14:20

        thanks, why? you seeing / know of anything upcoming on the horizon?
        are hydrogen / water cars going to be real?
        I am thinking, fuel prices are all set to rise, so not sure. Any insights would help.

        • andresampras on 30/06/2025 - 14:26

          WAIT!

        • beefsandwich on 30/06/2025 - 14:37

          I have absolutely no knowledge on the subject, sorry.

        • Brick Tamland on 30/06/2025 - 14:48
          +1

          No harm in waiting. More products will come out and prices may drop.

    • Morven on 30/06/2025 - 12:30
      +1

      Make the switch. I mean, is petrol safe from catching fire?

    • Agileduck on 30/06/2025 - 13:58

      The votes are split exactly 50/50

      • andresampras on 30/06/2025 - 14:26
        -1

        oh no dealmaker gonna have to make up their own mind. They've never done that before!

    • subwars on 30/06/2025 - 14:16
      +1

      Get a hybrid, then you can blow up twice over :P

  • Puti on 30/06/2025 - 12:52

    Hold up, did I miss the ICE response lessons for incidents when learning to drive??

  • Brick Tamland on 30/06/2025 - 14:19

    Until there is no EV fire risk but then specialised training packages get rolled out to address EV fire risk.

  • rhino86 on 30/06/2025 - 18:05

    Like combustion engines and fuel tanks. The owner is responsible to get their vehicle checked on a regular basis. But it only takes one person who ignores the servicing to cause the incident.

    Good people even if they drive stinky diesels carry a fire extinguisher and fire blanket for their high powered vehicles. The price of both is fairly low.

    With the batteries been placed low, the hot bitumen was measured at 60 degrees in May 2025, gets 5-15 degrees hotter with traffic, heat increases with numerous fossil fuel burners, plus humidity. EV battery systems need better protection, venting and cooling to suit the changing conditions in Australia, and world wide.

    • freeb1e4me on 30/06/2025 - 19:49

      Don’t fret, sodium based solid state batteries are coming soon. They work brilliantly at extreme temperatures, higher energy density, and are not flammable!

    • besttechadvisor on 30/06/2025 - 21:20

      Good people even if they drive stinky diesels carry a fire extinguisher and fire blanket for their high powered vehicles. The price of both is fairly low.

      Government could just mandate these for roadworthiness. Europe requires high visibility vests.

      Then again, how many cars have spare tyres yet half the drivers don't know how to change them…

  • rooster7777 on 30/06/2025 - 20:16
    -1

    Nothing against the poster, but …….
    I smell the odour of a government spin merchant advertising consultant in the first line of this ozbargain post.
    "As part of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS), the Australian Government has recognised the need for world-leading guidance and targeted training of emergency response personnel." …. so AFAC is developing "consistent national training" with TAFE assistance etc….
    I hear that and recognise the need to have a world leading fart, hoping I don't soil my pants. Apart from APAC…. I'm wondering who has judged this to be "world leading guidance"…. implying that it contains ideas not thought of elsewhere. Only interbreeding between spin doctors and weasel worders could have come up with that.

    • besttechadvisor on 30/06/2025 - 21:18

      AFAC are an RTO and the members of my RFB who shared the training include an urban (professional) fire fighter and the captain (decades of experience) so I personally trust their judgement.

      I can't vouch for the content myself as I haven't completed it yet, but the course is free until December so you don't really have anything lose except maybe some data and time.

      Also, I have no affiliation with AFAC.

      • rooster7777 on 30/06/2025 - 21:23
        -1

        I'm not trying to denigrate the training… apologies if I came across that way.
        Simply commenting on the reality of the script writer for an entity saying "we're going to design something that's world leading".
        If it simply said follows world practice I wouldn't have looked twice.

        • besttechadvisor on 01/07/2025 - 02:16

          Most copy is passed through Chat GPT or similar these days, which always over does it.

  • inamberclad on 30/06/2025 - 21:08
    +2

    Gotta have balls of steel to run towards a fire, ev or not. Stay safe out there and thank you fireries for what you do

    • dealmaker on 01/07/2025 - 12:15

      Steel and fire = 🔥 hot balls
      Might need to rethink that

      Seriously though, kudos to firies

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