SIBU: The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has been strengthening its capacity to respond to electric vehicle (EV) fires over the past two years, says its national director (Operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman.
This includes sending officers overseas for specialised training, he told the media during a visit to the Sungai Merah fire station here on Friday (Nov 21).
He said the department had taken early steps to ensure its personnel were fully trained to handle emerging risks associated with EVs.
"We sent a group for a two-week train-the-trainer programme in China, and now have a team of certified trainers who specialise in extinguishing EV fires," he added.
He added that local experts had also been conducting research into EV fires, leading to the development of several specialised training modules at the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Academy in Kuala Kubu Bharu and in Wakaf Tapai, Terengganu.
Ahmad Izram also acknowledged the cooperation of EV manufacturers in supporting the department’s preparedness efforts.
"For example, we conducted a special fire inspection with one manufacturer recently, and another EV maker will also be working with us to collaborate on the best methods to deal with incidents," he said.
Explaining the challenges involved in EV firefighting, he noted that such fires differed significantly from those in internal combustion engine cars.
"Internal combustion engine vehicle fires follow the 'triangle' – fuel, oxygen and an ignition source.
"But EV fires do not follow that pattern. They are more related to thermal runaway, as EV batteries consist of thousands of interconnected cells.
"This makes the fires harder to extinguish without proper training and the correct firefighting media," he said.
On preparations for the monsoon season, Ahmad Izram said the department had been ready since the start of the year.
"We prepared our logistics, assets and personnel early because we knew that the North-East Monsoon season would be declared in November," he said.
He noted that several areas already experienced pre-monsoon flooding as early as September, and the department has been operating at a heightened state of readiness since then.
"To strengthen our preparedness, we have comprehensive arrangements in place for the monsoon season, which is expected to last until March.
"We will launch monsoon operations in Sarawak next week," he added.
