Press release: Electric Cooperatives sponsor electric vehicle fire training

Electric cooperatives sponsor electric vehicle fire training Feb. 24 and 25

MINOT, N.D. - Electric cooperatives from North Dakota and eastern Montana are partnering with the North Dakota Firefighters Association (NDFA) to bring alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) safety training to the 2023 NDFA State Fire School, Fe. 24 and 25 in Minot. The training, which will be held at the Clarion Hotel Convention Center, will provide firefighters with the information necessary to respond to emergency situations involving all AFVs on the roadways, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and their charging or refueling stations. 

"The way we power vehicles is rapidly changing. In recent years, electric and hybrid vehicles have become more prevalent in the state, making it important for emergency responders to learn how to safely respond to emergencies involving AFVs," says NDAREC Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Kramer. "North Dakota's electric cooperatives and their members are served by rural fire departments. We are proud to sponsor this important training and support the people in our communities who volunteer their time to keep our members safe."

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will provide instruction for the comprehensive, full-day AFV safety training course, which will bring firefighters up to speed on the latest concepts, technologies, and emergency response challenges, practices, and procedures. They'll learn everything from how to size up an emergency scene and immobilize a vehicle to ways to conduct occupant rescue and execute AFV recover and disposal.

Electric cooperative sponsors include NDAREC, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative, Capital Electric Cooperative, Cass County Electric Cooperative, Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, Goldenwest Electric Cooperative, KEM Electric Cooperative, Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Cooperative, McKenzie Electric Cooperative, McLean Electric Cooperative, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, Nodak Electric Cooperative, North Central Electric Cooperative, Northern Plains Electric Cooperative, Sheridan Electric Cooperative, Slope Electric Cooperative, Roughrider Electric Cooperative, and Verendrye Electric Cooperative.

NDARES is the statewide trade association for 16 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, line worker safety training and professional development services, cooperative business development, and communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.