Firefighter placing an ISO fuel identification placard on a fire truck. Photo: CTIF Finland

Extrication and New Technology News

News Archive

2025

At least three dead in bus accident in Norway

The passengers on the bus were from eight different countries: Norway, India, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands, France, and South Sudan. Severe weather conditions were reported at the scene, including heavy snow and strong wind.

At least three dead in bus accident in Norway

2024

Engineer Matt Gwin puts a piece of aerogel material inside a metal frame and ignites it. After a minute or two, the material is intact and only feels warm. Photo by Aspen Aerogels

New gel shows promise as an insulating agent against lithium battery fires

An engineer demonstrated the resilience of the gel by exposing it to a 2000 degrees Fahrenheit propa...

New gel shows promise as an insulating agent against lithium battery fires

From the power point presenting Kurt Tofte Rusås from the fire services of the cit of Bergen

CTIF Norway held a national webinar about fires in solar installations and lithium-ion batteries

Kurt T. Rusås, Bergen Fire Department, systematically guided listeners through various battery fires...

CTIF Norway held a national webinar about fires in solar installations and lithium-ion batteries

Mikko Saastamoinen, photographed in 2020 by Teemu Heikkilä. Used with CTIF permission from photographer and publisher.

Our time is short – ignites and dies like a flame

A personal memorial for the late Mikko Saastamoinen by Taina Hanhikoski, CTIF Vice President and For...

Our time is short – ignites and dies like a flame

E-bike setting fire to an apartment building. CTIF / Chat GPT

One e-bike incident for LFB every two days: 12 e-bike fire survivors are suing London landlords and...

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of March 5, 2023, in a two-bedroom flat in London, Engl...

One e-bike incident for LFB every two days: 12 e-bike fire survivors are suing London landlords and battery manufacturer after a fatal fire

1600 hydrogen cars recalled due to potential fire risk with faulty pressure valve

The manufacturer is urging owners of nearly 1,600 Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to park them outd...

1600 hydrogen cars recalled due to potential fire risk with faulty pressure valve

Registration for the IEDO emergency drone conference closes at November 11, 2024

See the program for the Emergency Drone Conference in Paris, December 11-12

Exchange experiences, learn from each other, build your network and prospect new products in the dro...

See the program for the Emergency Drone Conference in Paris, December 11-12

Burning EV in flood water. Illustration from an idea by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, executed by Chat GPT.

11 electric cars and 48 lithium batteries caught fire after exposure to salty flood water in Hurri...

EVs and other devices with lithium-ion batteries could become ticking time bombs in the aftermath of...

11 electric cars and 48 lithium batteries caught fire after exposure to salty flood water in Hurricane Helene

Firefighters demonstrating on a bridge. Illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson, executed by Chat GPT.

Finnish firefighters invited all to a world wide Silent Protest on October 16 - against drunk drivi...

Mikko Saastamoinen was a well-known developer of road safety and road rescue in Finland and internat...

Finnish firefighters invited all to a world wide Silent Protest on October 16 - against drunk driving and in honour of fallen comrade Mikko Saastamoinen

Mikko Saastamoinen, Firefighter of the Year in Finland 2020. Photo: Rescue information

CTIF in shock and mourning at the sudden loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, chair of the Extrication and Ne...

On Wednesday October 2, CTIF was shaken by terrible and hard-to-fathom news: Mikko Saastamoinen, Fin...

CTIF in shock and mourning at the sudden loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, chair of the Extrication and New Technology Commission

A cartoonish depiction of contaminants form LIB fires on firefighter turnout gear. Illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, generated by Chat GPT.

CO2 cleaning of firefighter turnout gear recommended globally by the Urban Fire Forum

While routine cleaning is essential, fire departments should also consider advanced and specialized ...

CO2 cleaning of firefighter turnout gear recommended globally by the Urban Fire Forum

Risks and benefits of AI in the fire services. Illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, generated by Chat GPT.

Both risks and benefits emphasized in global UFF Recommendations for Safe and Ethical Use of AI in t...

While AI can enhance productivity, efficiency, and decision-making, its irresponsible use could lead...

Both risks and benefits emphasized in global UFF Recommendations for Safe and Ethical Use of AI in the fire services

On the left is a photograph of I-80 eastbound, showing the postcrash fire. On the right is a photograph of the 2024 Tesla Semi at final rest. (Source: California Highway Patrol)

Electric semi-truck lithium battery fire took 189,000 litres of water to extinguish, according to NT...

The large battery system on the electric truck tractor posed unique challenges for firefighters, as ...

Electric semi-truck lithium battery fire took 189,000 litres of water to extinguish, according to NTSB reports

Symbol for an EV charging parking stall painted on pavement. Rawpixel Public Domain Image. https://www.rawpixel.com/image/6042882/photo-image-public-domain-white-free

EV sales are slowing - internal combustion engines, hybrids and hydrogen cars may be advancing again

Hybrids are popular but are also the most fire prone of all common types of propulsion, with over 3,...

EV sales are slowing - internal combustion engines, hybrids and hydrogen cars may be advancing again

Michelle Gentilleau (CTIF & NT Extrication Commission) Juan Field (President of OBA) and Milan Dubravac (President of CTIF) at the OBA Conference in Santiago de Chile, on September 4, 2024.

CTIF's Milan Dubravac and Michel Gentilleau gave presentations at OBA in Santiago de Chile

This was the 5th annual assembly of the South American Association of Fires Services (OBA), with whi...

CTIF's Milan Dubravac and Michel Gentilleau gave presentations at OBA in Santiago de Chile

Decladding high-rise flats in Aberdeen on front in 2017, Bayview Court, 4 August 2017. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License.

New 2024 London apartment tower fire with flammable cladding raises concerns just days before the fi...

40 fire engines and more than 200 firefighters responded to the fire on Freshwater Road in Dagenham....

New 2024 London apartment tower fire with flammable cladding raises concerns just days before the final Grenfell Report is due for release

The view of the crashed Tesla rig as first responders first arrived on the scene.

EV "big rig" truck was water bombed from the air while burning on the highway

Mary Eldridge, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, said the fumes from the chemicals in the batteries would...

EV "big rig" truck was water bombed from the air while burning on the highway

CCTV footage from the burning EV Incheon, South Korea.

South Korea held emergency state meeting on the safety of electric vehicles

The urgent meeting was prompted by a serious fire on August 1, where a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicl...

South Korea held emergency state meeting on the safety of electric vehicles

Kröv, Germany Date Taken on 11 July 2015 Source https://web.archive.org/web/20161102063238/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/122356249 Author Foto Fitti

Two died in German hotel collapse - "remarkable" survival rate given extent of damage

Rescue teams faced a difficult task. Although they could reach some of the trapped individuals by ce...

Two died in German hotel collapse - "remarkable" survival rate given extent of damage

Surveillance drones will be first on the accident or fire site after research project concludes in W...

The median time for the drone to arrive was 3 minutes and 49 seconds, while it took 5 minutes and 51...

Surveillance drones will be first on the accident or fire site after research project concludes in Western Sweden

Screenshot from a video of a dog starting a house fire by chewing on a lithium battery.

Dog sets house on fire by chewing on a lithium battery

Officials released the video to highlight the dangers of improper battery storage and to urge the pu...

Dog sets house on fire by chewing on a lithium battery

Korea may install extra firefighting resources near charging stations after explosive EV fire in par...

On August 1st, a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle (EV) had an explosive fire development in an underg...

Korea may install extra firefighting resources near charging stations after explosive EV fire in parking garage

The remains of e-scooters and e-bikes after a fire. Photo by the London Fire Brigade.

New York introduces new legislation to combat e-bike fires - but is it enough?

There have been over 100 e-battery fires in the city this year, though this number has slightly decr...

New York introduces new legislation to combat e-bike fires - but is it enough?

"Unconscious after two breaths": Lithium battery explosions in South Korea killed 22 through smoke i...

Firefighters used dry sand to extinguish the fire, as water can intensify lithium fires. The fire to...

"Unconscious after two breaths": Lithium battery explosions in South Korea killed 22 through smoke inhalation

A burning Tesla. Public Domain image uploaded to Flickr.

Summary of some of the more severe lithium battery fires during the last 12 months

A fire in a cargo hold at Frankfurt Airport was traced back to lithium batteries. The incident led t...

Summary of some of the more severe lithium battery fires during the last 12 months

NFPA proposes new standard for Battery Safety

The NFPA recently shared important news regarding the proposed initiative to enhance battery safety ...

NFPA proposes new standard for Battery Safety

Photo of burned E-scooters provided by the New York Fire Department.

Home destroyed by e-bike that was not even plugged in

In a matter of seconds, the family holiday turned to despair. A forensic investigation pinpointed th...

Home destroyed by e-bike that was not even plugged in

CTIF President Milan Dubravac at the World Fire Congress in Washington, DC, May 7, 2024.

CTIF made presentation at the World Fire Congress in Washington

The First world fire congress is taking place in Washington, DC Tuesday and Wednesday. Around 60 cou...

CTIF made presentation at the World Fire Congress in Washington

Installing photovoltaic panels on the roof at the Research Support Facility (RSF). NREL works on panels that DOE is using leverage a Power Purchase Agreement with SunEdison and Xcel Energy to absorb the upfront installation costs. Original public domain image from Flickr

Firefighters guide for Solar Panels & Battery Energy Storage Systems

Solar panels and battery storage systems is a special area of challenge for firefighters, and a topi...

Firefighters guide for Solar Panels & Battery Energy Storage Systems

Screenshot of the Italian State Fire Brigades video of the explosion site, as published on BBC.

Explosion at hydroelectric power plant in Northern Italy claims at least three lives and several mi...

A devastating explosion at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy has left three people dead ...

Explosion at hydroelectric power plant in Northern Italy claims at least three lives and several missing

Jakarta ammunition fire. Photo by the Indonesian military.

Robotic cars used to extinguish chemical fire in ammo depot

The fire is thought to to have originated from unstable chemicals located in the Jakarta military a...

Robotic cars used to extinguish chemical fire in ammo depot

IFSJ publishes feature story on the new Euro Rescue Desktop App

SFSJ says Euro Rescue is a major milestone in bolstering safety for first responders across Europe.

IFSJ publishes feature story on the new Euro Rescue Desktop App

An example of a rescue sheet from the Euro Rescue app.

Euro NCAP / CTIF releases online desktop version of the Euro Rescue app

Vehicle Rescue: This CTIF-supported app provides easy access to 1550 ISO 17840 compliant rescue shee...

Euro NCAP / CTIF releases online desktop version of the Euro Rescue app

Screenshot of the Independents video of the London double decker electric bus on fire.

Electric double decker buses pulled off the streets of London after fire

A double-decker electric bus in London ignited into flames during the early hours of Thursday mornin...

Electric double decker buses pulled off the streets of London after fire

Screenshot of the YouTube video for KIMR3 on the Watson recycling center fire

Recycling center refusing to take lithium batteries after fires

The recycling center does not take lithium-ion batteries, both the recycling center and the Pine Isl...

Recycling center refusing to take lithium batteries after fires

Disabling direct hazards in a vehicle crash – going beyond the high-volt systems

Comparing different rescue sheets shows, that there is obviously no common understanding of the term...

Disabling direct hazards in a vehicle crash – going beyond the high-volt systems

Delivery bikers in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Natalia De Pablo Garcia, Pexels.com

After deadly lithium fires: NYC mayor announces activation of city's first public E-Bike charging si...

Lithium-ion batteries have sparked 268 fires in 2023 that killed 18 people and injured 150 others.

After deadly lithium fires: NYC mayor announces activation of city's first public E-Bike charging site for delivery workers

A fire broke out in cargo holds of the Genius Star XI, which is carrying nearly 2,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries. This thermal image shows heat signatures from the engine room and exhaust stack.Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard.

CO2 and closed vents used by ship crew to oxygen starve fire in 2000 tons of lithium-ion batteries o...

The exact cause of the fire was not known and remains under investigation. What appears clear is tha...

CO2 and closed vents used by ship crew to oxygen starve fire in 2000 tons of lithium-ion batteries on cargo ship

Natural gas powered semi truck exploded - 9 firefighters injured

The explosion created 9 meters / 30-foot flames into the air and the noise rattled the neighbourhoo...

Natural gas powered semi truck exploded - 9 firefighters injured

Three Mill Bay Fire Company extinguishing the solar farm battery fire.

BESS operators to provide their own firefighting crew? New safety regulations drafted for large Bat...

Companies who operate BESSs may need to provide their own expert staff to be available on-site when ...

BESS operators to provide their own firefighting crew? New safety regulations drafted for large Battery Energy Storage Systems

The HyResponder hydrogen training material how has instructional videos to explain the training prog...

There are four videos added from CTIF Belgium, where the Belgian approach t this training material h...

The HyResponder hydrogen training material how has instructional videos to explain the training program

2023

Journal Article on Lessons from Robot Deployments by the German Rescue Robotics Center Task Force

The German Rescue Robotics Center (DRZ) recently had an article published in the Journal of Field Ro...

Journal Article on Lessons from Robot Deployments by the German Rescue Robotics Center Task Force

Screen shot from Utkiken Rescue´s YouTube video

Explosions due to lithium ion batteries - insights for firefighters

The video analyses several incidents where explosions from lithium ion batteries have occured. It al...

Explosions due to lithium ion batteries - insights for firefighters

The fears of lithium-ion battery fires not necessarily in fair relation to the low frequency of EV-i...

Many firefighters report difficulties extinguishing fires in vehicles with lithium-ion batteries. Bu...

The fears of lithium-ion battery fires not necessarily in fair relation to the low frequency of EV-incidents

Euro NCAP releases new version of the CTIF supported "Euro Rescue" app

Vehicle Rescue: This CTIF-supported app provides easy access to 1550 ISO 17840 compliant rescue shee...

Euro NCAP releases new version of the CTIF supported "Euro Rescue" app

Coming Soon: Sharing Practical Experiences with Using Robots in Fire & Rescue

How much personal risk is still necessary when technology could help? Robotic technology, such as un...

Coming Soon: Sharing Practical Experiences with Using Robots in Fire & Rescue

Aerial photo of the pile up near New Orleans by the Lousiana State Police.

Super fog from forest fires caused massive pile up on highway - 168 cars involved - eight dead

Emergency services and paramedics had to walk to the victims and the burning cars as the road was co...

Super fog from forest fires caused massive pile up on highway - 168 cars involved - eight dead

Photo by the US The Bureau of Land Management. Desert Sunlight Battery Energy Storage System. The Bureau of Land Management issued a Notice to Proceed with construction for the Sunlight Storage II Battery Energy Storage System project in Riverside County,

California creates new emergency response legislation for large lithium based Battery Energy Storage...

The legislation requires battery storage facilities in the state of California to put in place emerg...

California creates new emergency response legislation for large lithium based Battery Energy Storage Systems

Moss landing in California is reportedly the world´s largest lithium-ion battery storage facility. Photo by LG Energy Solution

Public pushback and fears against large lithium based Battery Energy Storage Systems appears to be g...

Large lithium-ion-based power banks are starting to become a large part of the green energy solution...

Public pushback and fears against large lithium based Battery Energy Storage Systems appears to be growing

Wikipedia Creative Commons License. Source: Luton Airport, late evening Author: Mike McBey

The massive car park fire at Luton airport likely was likely started by a diesel car - not an EV

Fifteen fire engines and more than 100 firefighters from Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshi...

The massive car park fire at Luton airport likely was likely started by a diesel car - not an EV

Half a million users have downloaded the Euro NCAP / CTIF "Euro Rescue" app

Vehicle Rescue: This CTIF-supported app provides easy access to 1550 ISO 17840 compliant rescue shee...

Half a million users have downloaded the Euro NCAP / CTIF "Euro Rescue" app

New drone tech claims to be able to tell smoke from open flame in a wildfire - and recognize heat si...

New Danish startup claims drones can identify smoke or flame, and look for heat signatures. By combi...

New drone tech claims to be able to tell smoke from open flame in a wildfire - and recognize heat signatures

CTIF´s Michel Gentilleau interviewed by CBC about the difficulties in extinguishing EV fires

The vice-chair of the CTIF Commission for Extrication and new Technology, has been interviewed by Ca...

CTIF´s Michel Gentilleau interviewed by CBC about the difficulties in extinguishing EV fires

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

Divide large BESSs into smaller ones, install battery control systems and use sprinklers.

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

Tesla fire in Dunedin, Florida (Palm Harbor Fire Rescue)

EV caught fire after being flooded by Storm Idalia - Florida Fire services urge residents to remove ...

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, Florida has the second-highest amount of regis...

EV caught fire after being flooded by Storm Idalia - Florida Fire services urge residents to remove EVs out of hurricane disaster area

Despite the fire hazards of lithium-ion: Battery Energy Storage Systems are getting larger and large...

California just finished a lithium battery storage system with 3GWH capacity, and China is aiming fo...

Despite the fire hazards of lithium-ion: Battery Energy Storage Systems are getting larger and larger

Solar farm lithium-ion battery fire took four days to extinguish

This is an opportunity for first-responders to learn from solar farm battery fires, says Niel D. Riv...

Solar farm lithium-ion battery fire took four days to extinguish

A solid state battery diagram. Wikipedia Commons License, authored by Na9234.

Solid state batteries and new NASA technology: Are the days of flammable Lithium-Ion soon over?

Solid state batteries pack more energy per pound than lithium-ion, but are more expensive to produce...

Solid state batteries and new NASA technology: Are the days of flammable Lithium-Ion soon over?

A photo of a burned out van on the train that caught fire in a tunnel near Fritzens, Austria, on June 7. Photo by FF Fritzens.

150 train passengers evacuated from fire in railway tunnel in Austria: 400 firefighters involved in ...

151 passengers were evacuated from the tunnel. The large-scale operation by the emergency services i...

150 train passengers evacuated from fire in railway tunnel in Austria: 400 firefighters involved in the rescue

Photo from MSB´s full scale test of using cutting extinguishers on EVs in 2022.

Lessons Learned from the world’s first known case of using a cutting extinguisher on an EV-fire

Håvard Hauge from Norway had to make a quick risk analysis before deciding he felt ok with venturing...

Lessons Learned from the world’s first known case of using a cutting extinguisher on an EV-fire

The remains of the exploding biogas bus. Photo provided by the owner, Vikbolands Taxi

Biogas bus exploded in southern Sweden: "It looks like it has been through a war"

All the windows are blown out and there are large holes that have shot through nearby cars. It looks...

Biogas bus exploded in southern Sweden: "It looks like it has been through a war"

Per-Ola Malmquist in a screen shot from his video about extinguishing EV fires.

See Swedish lithium-ion battery expert Per-Ola Malmqvist explain how to safely extinguish EV-fires w...

Extinguishing fires in electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium-ion batteries is a debated topic and is m...

See Swedish lithium-ion battery expert Per-Ola Malmqvist explain how to safely extinguish EV-fires with minimal water

Technical Days 2023 - Photo Johan Ivarsson / Cold Cut Systems

Technical Days: "The cooperation between CTIF and Euro NCAP is strong and will continue for the futu...

Technical Days - Emergency response on vehicles - is back on May 10th, 11th and 12, 2023 in Poiteres...

Technical Days: "The cooperation between CTIF and Euro NCAP is strong and will continue for the future"

A Cobra cutting extinguisher is applied on a burning EV in Prague on May 4th, 2023.

New cutting extinguisher method for EV fires performed successfully in real vehicle fires

After two hours, the fire was extinguished and the traction battery was cooled down, then prepared f...

New cutting extinguisher method for EV fires performed successfully in real vehicle fires

The burned out wreck of an EV which caught fire while driving in Belgium.

EV caught fire while driving - no local towing service wanted to deal with the wreck

The EV in Belgium eventually ended up being stored under supervision at the fire station. No tower w...

EV caught fire while driving - no local towing service wanted to deal with the wreck

Bergh the robotic search and rescue dog. Photo by FDNY.

Remote controlled robotic technology in garage collapse - see how it was used for rapid response

One week after the collapse of a parking garage in the Financial District of Manhattan, the FDNY and...

Remote controlled robotic technology in garage collapse - see how it was used for rapid response

Training in extrication on vehicles. Photo: CTIF

Italian fire press writes about CTIF´s and Euro NCAP´s efforts in road rescue and vehicle safety

Our valued member Marco Aimo-Boot recently had this article published in the Italian fire industry m...

Italian fire press writes about CTIF´s and Euro NCAP´s efforts in road rescue and vehicle safety

Screenshot of a video from Twitter. https://twitter.com/krassenstein/status/1648447992830242821

One person dead in collapsed parking garage - building had known safety issues

One person died and five others were injured when a parking garage collapsed in Lower Manhattan&#039...

One person dead in collapsed parking garage - building had known safety issues

Screenshot from the program brochure for Technical Days 2023.

Registration is now open for Technical Days in France. New strong focus on EV rescue on the program

New workshops around EVs and thermal runaways in lithium batteries added to the program!

Registration is now open for Technical Days in France. New strong focus on EV rescue on the program

English: Electric Vehicle (EV) used as an alternative of energy conservation of oil Date 28 March 2014, 17:07:28 Source Own work Author BP63Vincent

State of Virginia makes special EV fire risk assessment training mandatory for firefighters

The new law applies to all firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel who may resp...

State of Virginia makes special EV fire risk assessment training mandatory for firefighters

Photo of a an attack on a vehicle fire using the Cobra Cold Cut tool. Photo by Cold Cut Systems, Inc.

New revolutionary method tested extinguishes lithium-Ion EV fires in ten minutes with minimal water ...

The water consumption was calculated to be around 750 liters / 200 gallons in total, with a combined...

New revolutionary method tested extinguishes lithium-Ion EV fires in ten minutes with minimal water use

Photo from a test by the Fire Research Institute

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

Both sellers and users who break the rules could be fined up to $1,000. The bill would take effect s...

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

Photo by Scottsdale Police Department https://twitter.com/ScottsdalePD/status/1629192462513373185

Crashed Tesla catches fire twice - second fire during transport on tow truck

A Tesla slammed into a building and the EV was catching fire not just once, but twice.

Crashed Tesla catches fire twice - second fire during transport on tow truck

Screenshot of the English version of the French article

Euro NCAP in cooperation with CTIF offers the 2023 Roadmap for better Extrication and Road Safety

Directly relating to the emergency services, the Euro NCAP 2023 roadmap for the safety star rating c...

Euro NCAP in cooperation with CTIF offers the 2023 Roadmap for better Extrication and Road Safety

Burned e-scooters outside of a residential NYC home after a fire. Photo: New York Police Department

Illegal lithium battery repair shop in a private home caught fire and burned apartment building

Lithium ion batteries fires are now considered on fourth place among leading causes of fire in the c...

Illegal lithium battery repair shop in a private home caught fire and burned apartment building

Photo by: Fire Safety Research Institute. When lithium-ion batteries fail or overheat, they release flammable, toxic gases that can spark a fast-spreading fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Many apartment buildings in NYC banned E-scooters already in December. Now the NYC Fire Commissioner...

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Company press photo of a ferry within the Havila Kystruten fleet, which will not allow EVs and hydrogen cars on their ships due to increased fire risk.

Norwegian shipping company bans electric cars on board classic ferry route

Electric car fires are seen as too difficult to extinguish to allow them on board, according to ship...

Norwegian shipping company bans electric cars on board classic ferry route

Felicity Ace, which sank outside of the Azore Islands in 2022 after a fire which is believed to have started in an EV. Photo by the Portuguese Coast Guard.

Extreme fire risk with EV´s exposed to salt water - Coast Guard issues alert to not allow on ships

US Coast Guard alerts ships and ports of the extreme fire risk and to avoid loading EVs with damaged...

Extreme fire risk with EV´s exposed to salt water - Coast Guard issues alert to not allow on ships

The Commission for Extrication and New Technology meeting in Lappland, Finland in January 2023.

Extrication and New Technology, Nordic countries and Baltic CTIF members met in Finland

The CTIF Commission for Extrication a New Technologies had its first meeting for 2023 in Finland. Th...

Extrication and New Technology, Nordic countries and Baltic CTIF members met in Finland

Photo by the team from Metro Fire of Sacramento who responded to the EV fire on January 28th, 2023.

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

The battery cells continued to re- combust and were extinguished with 6,000 gallons - or 23, 000 li...

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

A Tesla Model S which ignited in a junkyard weeks after a crash in Cordova, California. Photo by Sacramento Metro Fire District

Lithium batteries can ignite weeks after a crash - but EVs not necessarily more fire prone than gas ...

A crashed Tesla Model S had been sitting in the junkyard for three weeks when it spontaneously ignit...

Lithium batteries can ignite weeks after a crash - but EVs not necessarily more fire prone than gas vehicles

2022

Rapid vehicle fire development in Seoul highway tunnel

The fire occurred in a noise barrier tunnel along an expressway in Gwacheon, South Korea, according ...

Rapid vehicle fire development in Seoul highway tunnel

Screenshot from the Fire Safety Research multi camera video

UL´s Fire Safety Research Institute makes full scale test over-charging an e-scooter in a residentia...

A study of thermal runaways in lithium-ion batteries when intentionally overcharging an e-scooter. U...

UL´s Fire Safety Research Institute makes full scale test over-charging an e-scooter in a residential living room

Screenshot from a Tweet about the 2023 Technical Days!

The international extrication and rescue fair Technical Days is back in France this spring!

Save the Dates for the 10th, 11th and 12 of May 2023 in Poitiers, France! Just like previous years, ...

The international extrication and rescue fair Technical Days is back in France this spring!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License. L By Robinseed - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47544828

Sudden stops or non urgent falls can trigger smartphone to make emergency calls - overwhelming dispa...

Safety features on newer phones and some watches have GPS-systems capable of measuring any change in...

Sudden stops or non urgent falls can trigger smartphone to make emergency calls - overwhelming dispatch centers

200,000 users have downloaded the Euro Rescue app - access to 1400 vehicle Rescue Sheets in 4 langua...

The CTIF supported Euro Rescue app provides easy access to ISO 17840 compliant rescue sheets availab...

200,000 users have downloaded the Euro Rescue app - access to 1400 vehicle Rescue Sheets in 4 languages

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Apartment complexes have in extreme cases banned E-bikes and E-scooters since recent fires and NYFD ...

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Car has flood damage from Hurricane Irene. Original public domain image from Flickr Public Domain Free U.S. Government Image

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Several electric vehicles have been reported spontaneously catching fire after they have been expose...

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Two engines, a truck company, and an incident commander were initially dispatched to the incident bringing 14 firefighters to the scene.

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

Due to the construction and placement of the battery pack, it is difficult to reach the the fire in ...

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

Paul Schroeder, chair of WRO, and Milan Dubravac, President of CTIF, signing the MOU in Luxembourg on September 10, 2022.

CTIF signs Memorandum of Understanding with WRO

The MOU was signed by Paul Schroeder, Chair of WRO and Milan Dubravac, President of CTIF, on Saturd...

CTIF signs Memorandum of Understanding with WRO

Photo: Screen shot from Sacramento Metro Fire Department Facebook video

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

The Tesla was moved on its side but kept reigniting due to the residual heat. The fire crew then cre...

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

Map of Germany and the alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

At least five dead and several more missing after a train crash in Germany

According to the police, 44 people were also injured in the accident after which a large rescue oper...

At least five dead and several more missing after a train crash in Germany

The CTIF Extrication & New Technology Commission

Mikko Saastamoinen new Commission Chair for Extrication and New Technology from 2022

The first meeting under the new leadership was held on Tuesday, January 25th. Mikko Saastamoinen of...

Mikko Saastamoinen new Commission Chair for Extrication and New Technology from 2022

2021

An electric bus on display at UITP´s exhibition Busworld.

CTIF renews Memorandum of Understanding with UITP

The Memorandum of Understanding between the International Public Transport Association (The cooperat...

CTIF renews Memorandum of Understanding with UITP

IEDO wins award for CTIF-supported Best Practices report on Emergency Drone usage

It is a great success for all the volunteer contributors who have collaborated in that project. Than...

IEDO wins award for CTIF-supported Best Practices report on Emergency Drone usage

Overview if the Beijing shopping mall where a lithium battery explosion killed two firefighters on April 16.

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Here is the downloadable report from the incident, translated within the network of the HyResponder ...

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

We have participants registered from over 40 countries - register now for the last spots as we only ...

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

The Italian CBRN team on mission in Beirut in August 2020.

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

The CBRN mission was dangerous and complicated during the aftermath of the blast.

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

Please help us make our voices heard for the next Euro NCAP 2025 Road Map!

Answer a few questions to help our partner Euro NCAP to define the goals for road safety and rescue ...

Please help us make our voices heard for the next Euro NCAP 2025 Road Map!

Mapping technique - Safe viewing angle. Illustration from the IEDO Best Drone Pracitice Report 2020.

IEDO releases its first international Best Drone Practices for 2020 - with support from CTIF

A synthesis of lessons learned in the field, local emerging initiatives and common practices widespr...

IEDO releases its first international Best Drone Practices for 2020 - with support from CTIF

The first CTIF Best Practice Procedures Award was given to Michel Gentilleau for the outstanding work he and his colleague Serge Delauney have carried out regarding new energies and vehicles.

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

In the report from Delegates Assembly 2015, we can read that CTIF gave out an award for Best Practic...

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

CTIF and IEDO cooperate to create Best Practice Procedures for emergency drones

CTIF and the International Emergency Drone Organisation (IEDO) has signed a Memorandum of Understand...

CTIF and IEDO cooperate to create Best Practice Procedures for emergency drones

2020

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing th...

Finland was first among the Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard, as CTIF News w...

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing the CTIF-ISO 17840 standard

Rescue Sheet - How to create it? Guidelines following requirements from ISO 17840 Part 1 and Euro NC...

The purpose of this document is to specify and illustrate the expectations of content and layout for...

Rescue Sheet - How to create it? Guidelines following requirements from ISO 17840 Part 1 and Euro NCAP

Mikko being interviewed for a social media campaign about the ISO standard being implemented in Finland. Photo by Kimmo Kaisto, Pelastustieto- magazine

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propuls...

Using fire trucks as an example has been a very successful strategy in Finland - there have been sev...

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propulsion vehicles

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

CITF is part of an EU training project - help us understand your needs by taking the survey.

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

The 1967 Martelange truck explosion. Historical photo

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

22 people died and 59 were injured after a gas truck lost control downhill in high speed.

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

Photo showing the truck and the LNG tank after the accident

Lessons learned from accident with a heavy LNG powered vehicle - now in several translated languages

Traffic accidents involving LGN vehicles require different intervention procedures than for gasoline...

Lessons learned from accident with a heavy LNG powered vehicle - now in several translated languages

Header screen shot from the document on how to use the EuroRescue app

Guide for how to use the Euro Rescue app

This app will enable the rescue services to get the rescue sheet of the vehicle concerned from the s...

Guide for how to use the Euro Rescue app

Header for the document about how to use rescue sheets

Guide to using Rescue Sheets

The Rescue sheet follows in principle a flowchart for the main actions of the first and second respo...

Guide to using Rescue Sheets

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

The next Commission meeting will be in Poitiers, France, during the Technical days (13-14-15 of May)...

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

Hydrogen response training. Photo by CTIF France

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

The HyResponder project will develop and implement a sustainable “train the trainer” program.

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

Dr Kruijff-Korbayová investigates human-robot teamwork and develops technology for robot-assisted di...

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Waste from the Canadian tar sands could be a viable way to mine for lithium in a more environmentall...

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Both the police and fire service attended the fire on Ytterøyningen (image: Corvus)

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

A seawater fire extinguishing system that had been installed as an additional safety precaution on t...

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

2019

Extrication Commission focuses on working to implement the new ISO standard in their home countries

The Commission recognizes the importance of personal contacts and active networking to spread the wo...

Extrication Commission focuses on working to implement the new ISO standard in their home countries

Major Tom van Esbroeck and Kurt Vollmacher received the Fireforum Award for their work on the ISO 17840 firefighter´s vehicle intervention standard on Tuesday Nov 26, 2019.

CTIF receives Fireforums Special Award for the new ISO 17840 vehicle intervention standard

Major Tom van Esbroeck and project leader Kurt Vollmacher received the prestigious award on Tuesday ...

CTIF receives Fireforums Special Award for the new ISO 17840 vehicle intervention standard

Wikipedia diagram of a typical hybrid vehicle.

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Zinc and manganese is the same basic raw materials as for alkaline non-rechargable batteries.

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Vehicle propulsion types in the CTIF ISO standard.

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

The CTIF International Association of Fire and Rescue Service has created an international standard ...

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

Burnt solar panel on Briana Greer´s roof.

Solar panels catching fire a hurdle for alternative energy

The owner was away when the fire started in her Tesla solar roof panels. Luckily, her neighbors were...

Solar panels catching fire a hurdle for alternative energy

An ISO decal is being attached to a bus on the Busworld fair in Belgium. Screenshot from the CTIF / UITP video.

Project ISO 17840 “Safe Citizens through Safe Firefighters”: Act Local - Think Global

This video is a ISO 17840 promotion film made during the international bus world congress. This was...

Project ISO 17840 “Safe Citizens through Safe Firefighters”: Act Local - Think Global

Tommy Baekgaard Kjaer is one of the speakers in Ostrava October 25-26, 2019.

Only days left until the CTIF Seminar i Ostrava - here´s the final program!

Please observe that NO official dinner will be arranged on Friday night. The Hotel Clarion will serv...

Only days left until the CTIF Seminar i Ostrava - here´s the final program!

At least 25 sports divers dead in marine fire off California coast

A large sports diving boat caught fire and sank. The crew was awake and able to escape - but 30 dive...

At least 25 sports divers dead in marine fire off California coast

Explosion destroyed three homes; collapsed and trapped residents in Belgium

The Program for the CTIF Seminar in Ostrava October 25 and 26 is ready!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN The program is packed with interesting speakers! Lectures and speakers will be ...

The Program for the CTIF Seminar in Ostrava October 25 and 26 is ready!

CTIF President Tore Eriksson and CTIF vice president Milan Dubravac with Emercom in Russia.

CTIF invited to celebrate 370 years of Russian Fire Service at the 12th ISSE conference

CTIF president Tore Eriksson and vice president Milan Dubravac were CTIF´s representatives, and incl...

CTIF invited to celebrate 370 years of Russian Fire Service at the 12th ISSE conference

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic...

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic and flammable gases

Extrication and New Technology Meeting in Spain May 8 and 9 2019

The extended two day Extrication & New Technology Commission Meeting in Spain

The cooperation with Euro N-Cap and planning for implementing the CTIF-ISO standard in all of Europe...

The extended two day Extrication & New Technology Commission Meeting in Spain

At least 41 dead in Moscow plane fire

The CNG bus fire in Stockholm, March 2019. Photo by an eye witness to the accident.

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

A 2-way communication radio with poor audibility, delays and the driver not noticing posted road sig...

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

The leaders of UITP, CTIF President Tore Eriksson and the Chair of CTIF Extrication & New Technology Tom Van Esbroeck meeting in Casablanca in April 2019 to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations to implement the new ISO standard in Firefighting. Photo by UITP.

Firefighters´ ISO Standard for Vehicle Rescue and Extrication is now starting to be implemented worl...

The start of the project was a proposal from France in 2012 to create a standardized layout for Resc...

Firefighters´ ISO Standard for Vehicle Rescue and Extrication is now starting to be implemented world wide

Electric car maker investigates viral video of exploding Tesla in China

See video of the firefighting robots that helped extinguish the Notre Dame fire

A Paris firefighter in a ladder basket working to extinguish at Notre Dame. Photo screen shot from Paris Fire Brigade Video.

The Paris Fire Brigade´s own videos: Water shortages, traffic and an ignored fire alarm delayed Notr...

The Paris Fire Brigade´s own videos: Water shortages, traffic and an ignored fire alarm delayed Notre Dame operations

Notre Dame fire. Screenshot from CBC news video on YouTube.

No water bombing allowed on Notre Dame because of risk of structural collapse

More than 400 firefighters have been involved in the extinguishing work, which has been hampered by ...

No water bombing allowed on Notre Dame because of risk of structural collapse

Viking Sky seen battling the waves just a short distance off the coast of Norway. Screen dump from a video by The Score YouTube station.

Difficult mass evacuation from Norway cruise ship: "It was like the Titanic"

A dramatic and complicated marine rescue operation was conducted by helicopter off the coast of Norw...

Difficult mass evacuation from Norway cruise ship: "It was like the Titanic"

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

The CTIF Seminar 2019 will focus on four sub headlines: Communications, New Procedures, Innovations ...

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

Screen shot of the propane bus explosion in central Stockholm. Photo by Expressen.se

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

The bus carried bio gas bottles on the roof that may have hit the tunnel opening which then started ...

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

Auto locking doors killed Tesla driver in fire after a crash

The automatically deploying door handles on the outside don't appear to have deployed. The exte...

Auto locking doors killed Tesla driver in fire after a crash

A New York firefighter fell över 100 meters form a bridge in construction by stepping in between an unmarked gap between the lanes. Photo: FDNY

New York firefighter dies in fall from a bridge trying to save car crash victims

What they didn´t all realize was that the lanes on the bridge were separated by a 3-foot (one meter)...

New York firefighter dies in fall from a bridge trying to save car crash victims

Residential explsion in Russia kills 37. Photo: Screen dump from The Guardian.

37 dead in Russian building collaps

It was early on Monday that a part of a ten floor residential building collapsed. The search &amp...

37 dead in Russian building collaps

2018

2017

2015

Les Guides Départementaux Opérationnels de Référence du SDIS de la Vienne