The Vehicle Rescue Portal offers a one-stop resource for fast and easy access to facts about new automotive technologies and guidance on how to respond if these vehicles are involved in a collision. By web-enabling the enhanced vehicle schematics and data from the Moditech Crash Recovery System, rescue teams can find out how to safely handle non-inflated airbags, faltering gas cartridges, jammed safety belts, or alternative fuel, all in real time. Through VehicleRescue.org responders can access the latest information from industry and subject matter experts on extrication, automotive technologies, telematics and vehicular response training, as well as communicate directly with representatives from the automotive industry and response experts.

THE NEED

New technologies and ever-changing vehicle designs complicate the duties of today’s emergency responders. Today, vehicular response guides are often targeted toward service technicians instead of emergency responders, or in some cases are not available at all. Each automobile manufacturer has a different way of delivering emergency guides and often dissemination to the everyday responder is slow.  In the absence of factual information, rumors and myths – like electrocution due to hybrid cars – circulate among responders around the country.  To prevent these falsehoods from spreading, responders need fast and easy access to facts about new automotive technologies and information on how to respond to vehicular collisions, all in a central location.

COMCARE’S APPROACH

COMCARE is developing the Vehicle Rescue Portal to provide emergency responders with resources aimed at informing rescue efforts and ultimately saving lives. VehicleRescue.org will include:

• Enhanced Vehicle Schematics
• Direct Contact with OEMS
• Facts on Telematics and Emerging Technologies
• Training Resources
• News and Events

At the suggestion of rescue experts, COMCARE has partnered with Moditech Rescue Solutions to web-enable their Crash Recovery System, a database of enhanced vehicle schematics for all new vehicles on the road since the addition of airbags. By providing vehicle information in real-time, from any computer with Internet access, data is available whenever and wherever it is needed. Additional file formats will also allow vehicle schematics to be retrieved and relayed to those on scene when mobile computers or Internet access are unavailable to the responders.

In addition to providing factual, up-to-date information about vehicles, Vehicle Rescue will open a communication channel with the OEMs so responders can get direct answers to their questions. Vehicle Rescue will also offer a comprehensive training resource for veteran responders and new recruits alike. With rapidly changing technologies in today’s vehicles, the website will allow users to learn about new vehicle features and designs, keep up to date on response protocols, and connect with extrication and response experts.

FROM VISION TO REALITY

Thanks to funding from the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers, COMCARE has started development on the Vehicle Rescue Portal. With the help of emergency response and automotive industry experts, COMCARE is in the process of building the knowledge portal.

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