In the past post, dangers of dangerous devices like airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners were discussed by rescue people as one of the new dangers associated with operations they are conducting everyday. Another of the new hazards that have sprung out of alternative fuel vehicles like electrically powered vehicles is acid burns which could make rescue more hazardous if this high-capacity, multi-celled batteries were to burst. The acids they contain are very much dangerous to living tissue and their design as high capacity high output makes it more dangerous due to hazardous current adding to the caustic nature of their contents.
Disarming safety systems like airbags and pre-tensioners requires rescue people to disconnect the terminal of the vehicle’s battery to discharge the system. But even after disconnecting them, the rescuers have to wait at least 15 to 20 seconds for the control circuits to totally discharge and loose their ability to accidentally trigger either device harming anybody in the way. These safety systems have a fail-safe system wherein they have power supplies that have either rechargeable batteries or large capacity capacitors built into them to allow protection even if the battery is disconnected or goes flat. That time takes a huge chunk off the precious 15 minutes it is said to be the most critical stage of a rescue, from the accident area to the hospital. Another danger comes from gas fueled cars which have gasses that are heavier than air which can pool on the bottom of a damaged vehicle if it is punctured yet leaks only enough avoiding a catastrophic explosion. The high pressure storage systems which is made up of tanks and other regulators that allows safe handling can also leak in the event of a crash that can be ignited by a spark from unsuspecting rescuers.
All the above alternative fuelled vehicles are designed with safety in front of all other things yet they might be too complicated for the rescue people to handle safely. Some specialized personnel who are trained in dealing with Hazardous Materials (Airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, electric and gas powered vehicles have components that are considered to be highly toxic) should be within units, with tools like a laptop pre-loaded with information on how to instruct and safely handle these dangerous materials and chemicals should they prove to be a risk to the occupants and the rescue personnel who could both be injured.