More than 100 first responders from fire departments in and around Boyertown recently participated in a training session on Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Led by Mark Malizzi, service director of Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, and William Shaner, a dealership technician, the complimentary training provided a close-up look at EVs and knowledge about how they work. The goal was for attendees to better understand how to safely respond to future incidents involving EVs.
Malizzi, who is vice president and chaplain with Boyertown Fire and Rescue, initiated the training to maintain a supportive relationship between Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown and the surrounding community.
“We appreciate the role our first responders play in our community, so this training was an important way for us to pay it forward as a corporate citizen; we wanted to share our resources and expertise to ensure these individuals are safe and they keep others safe when they approach an EV during an emergency situation,” he said.
Two representatives from Ford Motor Co. joined Malizzi and Shaner to facilitate the training. They showed the first responders the electric motors, wiring and battery areas typically covered by panels. They also included tips for navigating safety risks associated with these components.
