The Errington Volunteer Fire Department is raising funds to purchase a new tool that will assist them in fighting electric vehicle fires.
They are difficult to extinguish as they burn differently due to the lithium-ion cells.
The EVFD department indicated the importance of having a fire blanket in their firefighting arsenal.
“Electric vehicle batteries are known to burn continuous for many days in the case of a fault,” said fundraising chair Brenda Gough in a press release. “In some countries, the means to extinguish such a fire involves lifting and dunking the burning vehicle in a container full of water. This is specialist apparatus which is not readily available and very time consuming and difficult to put in place. A car fire blanket can be quickly pulled over the vehicle, stifling the flames and reducing the likelihood of the fire really taking hold and spreading to neighbouring cars. Not only does it stop the fire, but it also contains the toxic fumes that can escape an electric vehicle fire.”
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The fire blanket costs approximately $5,000 and can extinguish fire in a matter of minutes and can be used up to 10 times.
The EVFD had a fire blanket on display at the Hi Neighbour Day event (Aug. 18 and Aug. 19) while they were serving pancake breakfast. It gave the public and opportunity to see what they are fundraising for.
To help the department’s fundraiser, you can go online at https://evfd.ca/contact-us/
— NEWS Staff
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