Rescue app safely guides

● New app for first responders ● Helps with rescue efforts

A NEW smartphone app created by crash-test body Euro NCAP aims to make car accidents safer for emergency services. It alerts rescue crews to the location of highvoltage batteries and wires – key components in electric cars that pose significant risks if they are cut improperly or damaged.

Car makers are already obliged to make ‘rescue sheets’ for their vehicles, indicating where hazardous components – such as batteries, fuel tanks and pressurised struts for boots and bonnets – are located. From this year, Euro NCAP is awarding points in its crash tests based on whether or not this information is “readily available”. It’s a response to the fact that as cars become more complex, “knowing where it’s safe to cut a vehicle should extrication be required is increasingly challenging”.

The new smartphone app – dubbed Euro Rescue – goes some way to making life easier for emergency services, by gathering rescue sheets together in one resource.

The datasheets and

DIAGRAM Information sheet warns of potential hazards, from electrical systems to airbags diagrams can be accessed online or offline, and downloaded as a complete catalogue.

As well as telling fire crews where highvoltage EV components are, the app informs them where airbags are located. This is vital information, because airbags contain explosive material and are increasingly found in B-pillars and other areas firefighters may need to cut when removing the roof of a car to extricate trapped occupants.

The app was developed in conjunction with the International Association of Fire & Rescue Services, is free, and is available for Android and Apple phones. It’s initially available in English, French, German and Spanish, with all other European languages being available from 2023.

Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP board member, called the app “a life-saving innovation”, adding: “Vehicles have become increasingly complex, with the advent of different construction materials and the continued march towards electrification. This has made the task for emergency services attending the scene of an accident, in terms of quickly understanding how to safely extricate an accident victim from a vehicle, all the more challenging.”

He added: “We would like to thank car makers for recognising the need to protect emergency services and working with us to provide the required information.”

EV wires carry 400-800 volts, while batteries pose fire, chemical and shock risks.

High-compression springs or explosive charges pose risk to rescuers if cut.