What Strategic Adaptation to Technology Would Benefit Firefighters Responding to and Preparing for Electric Vehicle Emergencies?

The number of electric vehicles in use in the United States is rapidly increasing. Without proper preemptive education, this new technology places first and second responders in potentially fatal situations every day. First responders are placed in dangerous situations when they are not equipped with the essential knowledge about the threats they face when responding to electric vehicle related emergencies. This thesis investigates how first responders can develop and sustain a functional knowledge of electric vehicles, including technological changes, to handle emergencies safely for responders and citizens. The best way to provide a timely solution to the current knowledge gap for firefighters about electric vehicles is to offer rescue sheets to first responders through a web-based mobile application. The rescue documents are open-source, readily available information that manufacturers provide for use by first and second responders. The application will aid in usable documents and sharable current available information. Action research methodology tested if and how a mobile catalog could (1) be created and (2) be used by first responders.