Alternative fuel vehicle training

This week the Yuma Fire Department ( YFD ) has been conducting Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training at the Public Safety Training Facility ( PSTF ) on Avenue 4E . With the popularity of alternative fuel vehicles, the likelihood of firefighters encountering these vehicles in various emergency situations increases. The training was provided to 106 YFD personnel, rotated through the facility in two hour segments over the course of three days, August 14 through 16 .

Fire Captain Tony DeAnda was the instructor and training covered Hybrid Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and gaseous fuels such as Natural Gas and Propane. The class was a combination of classroom instruction, audio-visual supplements, and hands-on training.

A particularly important part of the instruction involved the use of a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid passenger vehicle loaned to YFD for this training by the Fisher Chevrolet dealership of Yuma. The vehicle allowed for hands on explanations and allowed for greater familiarization of firefighters with hybrid vehicles. The assistance provided by Fisher Chevrolet was greatly appreciated.