BILL NUMBER: S5848
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the establishment of a
specialized electric vehicle emergency response training program
 
PURPOSE:
Requires the state fire administrator to make available a specialized
electric vehicle emergency response training program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the executive law by adding a new section 156-i. It
directs the state fire administrator to make a specialized electric
vehicle emergency response training program for first responders avail-
able. It requires the state fire administrator to notify fire depart-
ments, police departments, EMS agencies, and tow operators of the avail-
ability of the training. The state fire administrator will develop a
specialized electric vehicle emergency response training program, incor-
porating hands-on training and aligning with ISO standard 17840 while
ensuring consistency with SAE and NFPA standards. A report on the
program's operations will be submitted annually to state officials. The
administrator will also establish necessary regulations, and "emergency
medical services agency" is defined per public health law.
Section 2: Sets Effective Date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Amended to change the "shall establish" requirement to "shall make
available" to reflect the existence of training programs already avail-
able; added specifications as to the standards that the training program
should meet, in consultation with industry experts; added two operators
to the list of groups that must be notified of the availability of the
training program.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
There are key differences between traditional fuel vehicles and electric
vehicles. Electric vehicles have different batteries, computers, and
wiring than traditional fuel vehicles, meaning accidents involving elec-
tric vehicles may need to be handled differently by first responders.
For example, on some electric vehicles, the lithium-ion battery must be
disconnected entirely before hydraulic rescue tools, such as the "jaws
of life," are safe to use. Another example is that due to the kind of
batteries that many electric vehicles use, electronic vehicle fires can
burn for hours and require thousands of gallons of water to put out.
Without knowing the differences between vehicles, first responders could
put their lives at greater risk than is needed.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: S6723A, Amended and Recommitted to Finance
2024: S6723A, Referred to Finance Assembly
2023: A6517A, Passed Assembly
2024: A6517A, Passed Assembly
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.