Fire department asserts that a contingency plan for EVs is in force

The Fire Services Bureau (CB) already has a contingency plan in force to respond to traffic accidents or other incidents related to electric vehicles (EVs), Commander Leong Iok Sam told the Times.

“In case of either a traffic accident or another [type] of incident [related to EVs] we will execute our contingency plan dedicated to EVs,” Leong said in response to an inquiry from the Times.

The CB Commander also added, “all members from every operations post [fire station] need to possess knowledge about this rescue plan so we are following up on this matter to provide everyone with the necessary training.”

Recently, the CB was criticized by online activists for the methods used to tackle a malfunction that occurred with an EV bus belonging to one of the public transport companies.

The EV bus was in Cotai in the early hours of Saturday when smoke began issuing from the upper section of the roof.

Firemen deployed to the scene were seen using water hoses and pouring large quantities of water into the area emitting the smoke.

Many criticized the procedure, since in any electricity-related fire a CO2 or dry powder fire extinguisher should be used instead of water.

Although a final explanation for the issue has not yet been given, according to information from the bus manufacturer, the area that was releasing thick smoke is not the location of the lithium batteries. Rather, it is the site of a battery cooling system which mostly operates when the batteries are charging or when there are high air temperatures.

Commander Leong also told the Times that the CB has been in close communication with the different vehicle manufacturers to receive crucial information about the vehicles, the batteries, and other systems as well as the exact location of emergency devices.

Usually, EVs possess an emergency “power cut” (First responder Cut Loop) mechanism which allows the drivers, passengers, or anyone to cut the connection to the batteries in case of severe accident or fire to minimize damage.