The NSW Government has moved to make responding to motor vehicle accidents safer for emergency services workers and volunteers, with all vehicles with an alternative power source now required by law to display a safety label.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said safety labels identifying vehicles with electric, hybrid or hydrogen power sources would ensure firefighters, police and other first responders knew what type of vehicle they were dealing with.
“Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters responded to more than 3,200 vehicle fires in 2018-19,” Mr Elliott said.
“Firefighters, police and other first responders including Volunteer Rescue Association members put their lives on the line every day to keep the community safe, and they deserve every assurance we can provide to keep them safe.”
Safety labels have been sent to more than 11,800 owners of vehicles manufactured after 1 January 2019, as per nationally agreed updates to the Australian Light Vehicle Standards.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said a further 35,000 labels have now been distributed for vehicles built before 1 January 2019 to ensure all alternative power source vehicles in NSW are clearly identified.
“These vehicles are now required to fix the labels to the front and rear number plates to ensure emergency workers know what they are dealing with and can follow specific procedures to keep everyone safe.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said fines may be incurred from 1 January 2021 by anyone not displaying the appropriate label on their vehicle.
“This is about giving first responders the information they need to manage incidents safely. That’s why all hydrogen, electric and hybrid light vehicles are legally required as of July 12020 to have safety labels attached to the front and rear number plates. Heavy vehicles manufactured after 1 January 2019 are also required to display the label,” Mr Toole said.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said it was vital firefighters could quickly identify the fuel source of a vehicle involved in a crash, so they can respond safely and effectively.
“Vehicle fires involving these types of fuel sources differ dramatically from a standard petrol or diesel vehicle, which can put first responders at risk, so being able to identify the fuel type quickly will make a big difference in keeping our first responders safe.
NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgley said differences in fuel types can lead to serious safety risks for emergency services, especially if there is structural damage to the vehicle.
“It is vital first responders can easily identify the fuel source of a vehicle they need to work around and being able to quickly identify hydrogen, electric or hybrid vehicles will help make incidents safer for our firefighters” Mr Midgley said. “Being able to identify electric vehicles at incidents is critical to the safety of firefighters,” Rural Fire Service Association President Brian McDonough said.
