DOE Allocated $4.4M to Teach Firefighters How to Rescue People From Wrecked Volts Without Killing Themselves
- Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:00pm by
Becket Adams
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Thrusting itself into the news cycle yet again is the much-maligned Chevy Volt. Is it just us or does it seem like it’s one thing after another with this car?
Take, for instance, just last week when the Obama Administration tried again to increase the Volt’s tax credit from $7,500 to $10,000. Pretty big increase, right?
But perhaps more controversial than the car’s generous tax credits, or the fact that GM refuses to admit it’s a flop, or that the batteries seem to have a real problem with spontaneous combustion, is the fact that even GM admits the car can be very dangerous — and it’s going to cost you.
Writing for Town Hall, Steven Smoot reports: “[T]he Department of Energy allocated $4.4 million dollars for programs to prevent fire fighters from electrocuting themselves while trying to rescue crash victims.”
Smoot continues:
Last year, the National Fire Protection Agency started a program of state level trainings focusing on how first responders can safely deal with the new problems posed by the Chevy Volt and other cars of similar design. The NFPA in a press release estimates that over 10,000 first responders have taken at least some training in dealing with the dangers of cars like the Volt.
The danger to firefighters comes in two forms: the Volt’s battery and the construction of the car itself.
“The lithium-ion used in modern electric cars are not like the old lead-acid batteries of the past. They are more powerful and, when damaged, the fluid inside can leak out, creating a short on the circuit boards that are used to control the batteries,” industry expert Gary Howell of Howell Automotive said.
“The fluid dries and crystallizes, creating a short, sometimes weeks after the damage to the battery occurred,” he adds.
And that’s how we get the aforementioned “spontaneous combustion” issues.
But what about the car’s design? Consider the following: General Motors Service Technical College actually provides instruction manuals to firefighters around the country on how to not kill themselves while saving someone from a wrecked Volt.
“Just this week, their publication on the Volt was cited by a Baltimore County, Maryland Fire Service Special Interest Bulletin,” Smoot notes. “After a bizarre paragraph extolling the virtues of the car itself, the bulletin gets down to the business of informing fire fighters of how to not kill themselves trying to rescue a crash victim.”
According to the bulletin:
There is a yellow First Responder cable “cut” tag wrapped around the low volt positive battery cable behind the fuse panel door, located on the left side of the rear compartment (see diagram on next page). This cable should be cut first to disable the vehicle safely before beginning any extrication. The cable should be cut on both sides of the label to ensure the cut cable ends do not inadvertently touch and re-energize the vehicle.
But wait! There’s more! The GM manual makes sure to warn that “cutting these cables can result in serious injury or death.” So yeah, the possibility of a firefighter dying while trying to save someone from a wrecked Volt is, apparently, very real.
“Hence the need for spending $4.4 million in taxpayer money to train firefighters across the country to protect themselves from a car that the government paid people $7,500 per unit to purchase,” Smoot writes.
Considering the all safety issues Smoot raises, along with the other reasons for why owning an electric vehicle right now might be a bad idea, is it any wonder GM can’t sell these things?
(H/T: WZ)
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Comments (114)
9111315
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:50pmRest easy Blaze readers.
On Monday I will be filing for a patent on an all-natural fluid that can be used to power land, water, and air vehicles. This fluid is safe at room temperatures – as long as you keep sparks away. It is also safe around humans. If accidently ingested, the victim (idiot) just pukes it up. (So make sure you get locking caps for your fluid tanks so criminals don’t try to siphon it.)
Anyway. Firefighters already know how to deal with this and they can use existing foam or even water to put out the fire. The fluid has a distinctive smell and slight color so it is easy to recognize. It won’t follow hidden pathways in the body of the car and kill people. Our first responders already know how to deal with it.
As I said, it is all-natural, made from plants, and found in the ground. When used, it creates water and plant food. What could be better? Oh, because it is made from plants, it is actually stored solar energy. It should qualify for the green credits.
I don’t want to say too much more until I get that postmark on my patent application.
I’ll tell you more next week.
P.S. If you want to invest, send me money at 9111315@PayPal.org
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:03pmA few Questions Sir
Report Post »Does it require a Union supervision to dispense, Transport or store and what about disposal ?
bobmcgus
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 1:41amThat is incredibly funny… Hope you get your patent!
Report Post »IndyGuy
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:08amThis just….Cheverolet announces that the VOLT will be rolled out under the new name…The Blaze…
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:14amI don’t think 2theaddled got the joke there….
Report Post »mauijonny
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:19amThis magic liquid you speak of can only be pee after St. Paddy’s day beer, so it’s green all the way around…even the toilet seat
Report Post »TAXEVERYONE
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 8:28amWhy don’t we just give Volts to all the GM union workers and make them test them. Might be the most productive thing they have ever done.
Report Post »Obama Trumpka 2012
nilo
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 9:04amBest of luck. If what you claim is true and it would help America, the government will not issue a patent.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 9:56amWhen lithium ion batteries go into thermal runaway, all you can do is stay away. It is extremely hard to put out the fire. It it gets confined…………………. BOOM!
Report Post »JGraham III
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 11:42amThis story adds to the term “sticker shock”, I think. Where is Ralph Nader (or is it nadir??) when you really need him?
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:14pm@ SgtB
Report Post »I got it did you Oil companies are not union.
OklahomaBound
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 11:54pmIf someone is dumb enough to buy a Government Motors Volt and then get in an accident in it then they have already proven that they provide little to no purpose in society. Just bury them in the car, it will make a better “green” coffin than a car and it will help strengthen the gene pool.
Report Post »Jayms
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 6:58amTook me a moment to get your joke – well played, sir. :)
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 2:05pm.
Report Post »Note to firemen:
Don’t cut the red wire.
Arminius23
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 4:42pmIf what you say is true, then for the sake of your life it might be a good idea to hire a good security team and never under no circumstances eat anything you didn’t prepare yourself. Oil companies, automotive companies and the government don’t like you threatening their source of income. Also make sure your taxes are squeaky clean to ensure the IRS can’t build a case to destroy you before you go bigtime public. Don‘t go to the mainstream media either they won’t mention it and you will be scheduled for termination. Start locally with your local newspaper and make sure everyone in your town knows through a local exposition. Then get it out on multiple feed sites (preferably live stream) and use words in your title to maximize the viewership. I AM NOT JOKING!!!!!! IF YOU HAVEN’T STARTED YOU MIGHT BE TOO LATE!!!!
Report Post »Becky Blanton
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 7:22pmYou realize there’s a long history of inventors who end up dead after coming up with inventions that threaten the status quo of the existing auto industry right? I wouldn’t be sharing ANYTHING about this! Just patent it and SELL it. The auto industry will either bury it or kill it if threatens the system they have in place.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:43pmHollywood couldnt even make this stuff up folks.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:47pmAnd the Late Night Comedians and SNL will pass on this story – just not funny enough – Now picking on that Sarah Paylon for going on a Hunting Expidition – That’s Funny Stuff.
Report Post »IndyGuy
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 12:15amWhere’s Ralph Nader when you need him…The Volt is more dangerous than a Corvair…
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 12:03pmIt‘s amazing how we can draw the parallels between now and the 60’s. Example…
Chevy Volt = Chevy Corvair
Report Post »Wilma
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:21pmDo they expect us to believe the electrocution hazard specific to the Volt and fireman?
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:24pmThe Volt… should come with 3 Handles on each side… so you can just carry it to a Grave Site!
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 11:07pmFunny Luke – Just telling you now – I’m using the 3 on each side tomorrow – I’ll give you credit the first time I use it – after that I own it.
If at first you don’t succeed try again.
Failed Evergreen Solar and Solyndra have cost taxpayers a combined $593. Don’t Worry the Obama administration is in the process of guaranteeing loans for $622 million more to new solar companies.
Even if we cover the whole earth with Solar Panels we would have enough energy generated to supply present demand.
Obama is one stupid idiot or he is intentionally trying to destroy America.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 2:24am@DB321, Don’t worry, that 500 million was just a drop in the bucket. My India born professor in manufacturing went to a meeting last week to advise Obama how to bring manufacturing back to the US. Apparently, him and his colleagues have convinced him to spend a BILLION dollars on some 20 or so centers where they will measure stuff accurately. How productive and worthy of taxpayer dollars right!
In case you’d like to send him an email or something congratulating him on furthering our national debt…
Shivakumar Raman PH.D.
Raman@ou.edu
Report Post »mjeiden
Posted on March 18, 2012 at 5:15pmI am a fireman and it is a extreme hazard, batteries if catch on fire will explode, the amount of voltage and amps is very high these are not 12 volt batteries
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:15pmJust another pay off to someone maybe…nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh just still trying to bankrupt the country.. Glenn you keep saying we can fix this with love.. how do love people who are purposely destroying this country. Please tell me!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:26pmWrite “love” on your Bullets!
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 11:54pmDB321, Obama is one stupid idiot or he is intentionally trying to destroy America.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’d have to say the latter….He is beginning to outright, openly act as a dictator. This is going to get interesting
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:10pmNot to worry NObama will just mandate we buy one under the commerce clause after the health bill gets a pass from the SC! this song will shed some light.
Report Post »“What’s Wrong With This Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749
NOBALONEY
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:04pmThat’s an expensive band-aid.
Report Post »Link8on
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 6:37pmThe DOE should send the bill to GM & GE.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:55pmWe are talking about sardine cans on wheels that are apparantly made with the intent to take out as many people as possible in an accident,the people in the car And thier rescuers.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 9:52pmyes and they are silent when driven at lower speeds. I was almost hit by one while riding my horse the other day. some yuppie decided to take their silent idiot car out here in the country also known as the land of trucks dirt roads and horses. while trying to figure out how to drive the idiot came up behind me and my horse and almost hit us. Thank God for horses rear vision I didnt even hear the vehicle coming behind me. needless to say the satisfaction of chasing the chevy volt out of the my area with my big quarter horse was priceless. these cars are dangerous. we need to ban them they are bad for fireman and the enviroment.
Report Post »A Bit of Thought
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:52pmThis is from personal experience: Even when working with 36 volt golf car electric systems, you can get sprayed with a nasty shower of sparks and fire if a short circuit occurs in the right place. I can only wonder what would happen in the Volt’s electric system in an similar situation.
Report Post »Dan_o
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:16pmLeave it to government to endanger first responders for a fake cause. That doesn’t even take into account the people in the car are probably already electrocuted AND potentially all the people in another car or two.
What would happen if you parked a Chevy Volt on commuter train tracks?
Report Post »TheObamanation
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:46pmWe’ve seen the results of this experiment … can we go back to what works now ?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:41pmThe $10,000 tax incentive should pay for a very nice funeral. I’m not risking my life to save someone that wants to commit suicide.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:49pmThis should come out of the Presidental personal Graft Account!
Report Post »georgepatton
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:04pmCHIPS1
Very well stated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:39pmWhat say you patriots,will the Marxist in chief be put out of our misery in November so we don‘t have to endure idiotic ideas like this volt and the many others I’m too tired to list?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:38pmAdmirable as that is why not just do the simple thing and buy up the volts then turn them into a artificial reef? It would be more efficient in the long run.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 9:17pmBe sure to remove the batteries first so the fish won’t electrocute themselves.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:33pmIt’s not a matter of if a Volt will blow up. It’s a matter of when.
Report Post »rottiesforfreedom
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:33pmcan;t wait to see how this whole hopey changey thing saves the workd
Report Post »nojoke
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:31pmI have an idea how to make the world safer. Just give people on death row a volt and put them in a smash up derby. Takes care of two problems with one car.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:30pmBetter: Make a Movie… and put HollyWood Stars in them!
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:26pmThey should have warning signs on saying (DANGER HAZERDOUS WASTE) on board kind of like the trucks you see on the road and you need a special license just to drive it.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:25pmBefore i left the automotive repair industry, there was talk of what was then called “an electric vehicle”.As i worked for a Chev. dealer, we started to get information on what was required for technicians to work on these vehicles.There were tons of school time involved due to the fact these vehicles were to use 42 volt systems.22 volts dc, will kill you in a heart beat, and no one i worked with at the time was going to work on them.First responders, beware,if you answer a call involving ANY electric car,make damn sure you’ve been trained on proper procedures to minimize your risk of injury, or death…..
Report Post »Carol1955
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:24pmDoes anyone else find the Volt commercials extremely irritating, especially the young woman gushing about her cool space ship while the camera films her profile while she’s babling on. Ohhhhhhhhhh so trendy, makes you want to barf.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 7:36amHow about the Prius commercial with the fat, gay guy complaining that is “Sushi is Mooshie”? If I owned one, I would leave it in the hood with the keys in the ignition after seeing that.
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:24pmThe Prius has also been known to shock people if it is partially submerged in water. When i took mine into get serviced, the manager let slip that they had to have an additional mechanic with a non-conductive rod standing near the one working on it to “pull” the worker off of the car if they were electrocuted.
I’m willing to bet 1 internet dollar that pure electric cars are more dangerous than any “fuel” driven vehicle will ever be.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:35pmI‘ll bet much more because rest assured since government motors is building these 21’st century jalopies
Report Post »it will fail.Central planning always fails,it’s very consistent.We have enough oil here in the U.S to last two hundred years but our Marxist president will never exploit that resource,it doesn‘t fit his BS ’green’ agenda.
Mikev5
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:21pmIt’s funny as all hell that they are pushing them on GE employees and government employees just to pump up the sales numbers.
Soon Postal workers will deliver the post in them what a laugh.
Report Post »Voice_of_One
Posted on March 17, 2012 at 1:17amThe Chevy Volt, the new Chevy Vega. Where’s that Nader fool when you need him.
Report Post »Probably hanging with al gore.
Free2speakRN
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:20pmOne would think this would have been thought out. If it was one‘s ’own’ money, would’nt it at least have been handled a little more carefully?
Report Post »firemanfrank
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:17pmI have dozens of training manuals from hybrid to natural gas to the new volt. All are a nightmare waitng to happening because When a car is engulfed in flames you cant see the little emblem on the trunk as it explodes in your face. So dont blame us When your car is melted to the street.
Report Post »shorthanded12
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:13pmYa get what you pay for. Sounds to me another Union death trap bailed out by Barry an Company. How enviromental are those batteries once they reach there shelf life? Just like GE’s gubment Lite bulb aint worth a dam.
Report Post »Wilma
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:49pmYou’ve exposed the elephant in the room, “How will we dispose of the batteries?”
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 9:46pm@Wima
Report Post »You know that $10,000 tax credit. .. . .
Mikev5
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:12pmThe Chevy Volt is the essence of everything wrong with the Obummer presidency even if it’s a complete failure they still push it down our through and make it cost us even more like 4.4 million more.
When will these people get a clue we don’t want the Chevy Volt or green power it cost the average guy a ton of money.
When will the madness end
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:13pmwhen the american people remind the sobs whom the serve.
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:17pmthey serve
I get it don’t it suck when letters go missing those sneaky letter gremlins.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:11pmThe best way to rescue someone from a Volt, is to shame them out of it. Point and laugh, that usually works. The worse case scenario is if a volt crashes with clowns on board, who knows how many are packed in that little clown car. Although if it’s a Volt full of Mimes, no one will hear them scream for help.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 7:39pm@Darmok – well they should make an effort to rescue the mimes, as they say “a mime is a terrible thing to waste…”
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 16, 2012 at 8:08pm@Snow.
HA, HA, HA, Good one.
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