La Crosse firefighters training for electric car hazards

Published On: Nov 02 2011 08:15:00 AM CDT   Updated On: Nov 02 2011 08:17:10 AM CDT

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) -- La Crosse firefighters are among those training for new hazards presented by electric car crashes.

As electric vehicles become more prevalent on roadways, emergency responders have a new concern -- high voltage electricity. Peter Silva teaches fire service education at the Wisconsin Technical College System. Silva says it's no longer just a gas fire or jagged metal presenting hazards for firefighters.

While an upcoming training session for La Crosse firefighters will address electrical hazards, some emergency responders attended training last weekend at Volk Field. They learned the truths and myths about electric cars. Silva tells the La Crosse Tribune one of the biggest myths is that a car will send an electric shock if it's submerged in water. Not true.

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