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Autotech Training has unveiled its latest specialist training offering for emergency service personnel at this year’s Emergency Services Show - the IMI-accredited Level 2 Award in Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Hazard Management for Emergency and Recovery Personnel - designed to prepare frontline crews for the growing risks associated with electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs).
Having already worked with emergency services including the London Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police, and West Midlands Fire Service, Autotech Training has been instrumental in upskilling their vehicle technicians to safely repair and maintain electric and hybrid vehicles. These technicians play a critical role in keeping frontline emergency service fleets road-ready and safe to operate, ensuring vital response vehicles remain reliable at all times.
Now, Autotech Training is extending this support beyond the workshop to the frontline. By offering this specialist IMI-accredited course, the company will equip emergency responders and recovery teams with the essential knowledge needed to safely handle incidents involving damaged or broken-down EVs – helping to protect both crews and the public.
The demand for this training has never been greater. With over 1.3 million fully electric cars and 777,000 plug-in hybrids currently on UK roads, emergency services are encountering new and complex hazards when responding to collisions and breakdowns. These include the risk of high-voltage electric shock, thermal runaway leading to toxic fumes or explosions, and fires that can reignite and require specialist extinguishing techniques. Even accessing casualties can be challenging, as damaged battery systems must be approached with extreme care to prevent further danger.
The IMI-accredited qualification provides responders with the understanding they need to work safely in these situations. Delivered on-site at emergency service premises anywhere in the UK, the course can be tailored to the vehicles and equipment each service uses, making it practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.
A vehicle technician with Thames Valley Police who recently completed EV training with Autotech Training said: “While vehicle technicians need to understand how to safely repair and maintain electric vehicles, it’s just as vital that first responders know the risks they face at the scene of an incident. Even understanding the basics – like recognising the signs of thermal runaway and knowing how to respond safely – can make a huge difference in protecting both crews and the public."
The one-day course goes beyond traditional vehicle response methods, addressing common misconceptions about EVs and promoting a collaborative, consistent approach across fire, police, and recovery teams. It also highlights the importance of shared understanding and preparation as the UK’s roads transition to an electrified future.
"We understand the pressures emergency services face and the urgency of building EV expertise," comments Alistair McCrindle, Operations Director for Autotech Training. "By delivering this IMI-accredited training directly at their facilities and working with their specific vehicles, we ensure teams are ready to meet these challenges head-on."
Visitors to The Emergency Services Show can meet the Autotech Training team on Stand 5/K186 and discuss how this new training can help their service respond safely and effectively to the rising number of EV-related incidents.
