Hybrid cars danger in accidents? I thought I read an article someplace that Fire Departments (more)?

Question

are concerned about accidents involving hybrid vehicles--something about needing to give special consideration with fire possibility, and vapor/acid? and were seeking special stickers, sort of like the HazMat stickers you see where chemicals are stored.

Answer 1

Emergency responders are being trained to handle incidents involving hybrid vehicles in order to reduce the hazard to them- just like training to handle the hazards from gasoline powered versus diesel fuel powered vehicles.

Answer 2

Hybrid cars do pose unique challenges to firefighters and rescue personnel.  However, across the country there is a great effort to develop response and operational guidelines on how to handle emergencies involving these types of vehicles -- these vehicles are certainly increasing in number in our country.

I would not say that hybrids present undue or excessive hazards; only different ones than we have been used to during typical combustion engine vehicle emergencies.

Hope that helps.