Volvo US gives Boston Fire Dept. XC40 Recharge SUV

The American arm of Volvo has given the Boston Fire Department an all-electric XC40 Recharge SUV, to be used for training purposes. Volvo Cars’ flagship EV SUV will be utilized to provide first responders a deeper understanding of post-accident safety involving battery electric vehicles (BEV), per Volvo.

Eric Miller, Vice President of the Northeast Region for Volvo Car USA, delivered the XC40 Recharge to Boston FD Commissioner John (Jack) Dempsey and other department representatives at a ceremony today at Boston Volvo Cars on Beacon Street in Allston, Massachusetts.

“As we continue to see the rise in all-electric vehicles on our roadways, it is important to give our first responders the tools they need to be able to perform their emergency procedures effectively and to keep everyone involved safe. Volvo Cars is proud to provide the Boston Fire Department with an XC40 Recharge so they can continue to develop these procedures that are vital to the work they are doing on a daily basis,” said Miller.

For first responders, one of the top priorities when arriving on an accident scene is to safely extract occupants from the vehicle. While procedures and methods for conventionally powered vehicles have been in place for decades, BEVs present new challenges.

With more and more electric vehicles plying the roads in the US, first responders must adapt their extrication procedures to safely work around the large primary battery and high voltage wiring found ins such vehicles.

“I want to thank Vice President Eric Miller and Volvo for their generous contribution. Auto extrication comes with a multitude of potential hazards to the firefighters and the victims of vehicle accidents. Electric vehicles are a part of our future and this will help us prepare for those unfortunate incidents where these learned skills will save lives,” said Jack Dempsey.

Photos from Volvo

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