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Emergency service vehicles operate as a lifeline to communities across the UK. However, the workshops tasked with repairing and maintaining these fleets face familiar hurdles encountered by their private sector counterparts – a severe shortage of skilled technicians, the integration of new technologies, and the rise of electric and hydrogen vehicles.
Recent statistics reveal a notable shift towards sustainability across the UK’s emergency services. Police forces now boast a collective fleet of 430 electric vehicles operational nationwide, supported by 808 charging stations. In a pioneering move back in 2022, the London Fire Brigade led the charge by introducing the first electric fire engine, marking a significant step towards greener emergency response vehicles.
Meanwhile, the introduction of electric ambulances signals another progressive initiative underway in the UK. The first electric ambulance to respond to emergency 999 calls in London went out on its maiden voyage on New Year’s Eve 2024, joining the ranks of the London Ambulance Services’ fleet of 160 zero-emission capable vehicles.
The Emergency Services Times editorial team spend an afternoon with the LAS crew checking out the first electric ambulance to go out on the streets of the capital and find out what makes it green. Read the full article here.
For the network of workshops, strategically placed to ensure rapid response times and optimal functionality of the UK’s 48,000 police vehicles, 9,500 fire service vehicles, and 8,500 ambulance vehicles, the transition towards EVs represents a significant shift.
While the move towards energy-efficient and digitally enabled emergency vehicles, promises to reduce carbon footprints and operational costs, it brings forth the pressing issue of a severe shortage of skilled technicians capable of maintaining them.
Understanding the wider automotive skills gap
The unique components and maintenance requirements of electric and hydrogen vehicles necessitate a distinctive skill set, highlighting a critical need for upskilling technicians to bridge this skills gap.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) forecasts a potential shortfall of 4,500 EV qualified TechSafe technicians by 2029, with the figure expected to escalate to 16,000 by 2032. While this projection reflects the broader aftermarket, the emergency services sector is already feeling this gap acutely as it progressively incorporates electric vehicles into its fleets.
EV training for every level of the emergency services
While the focus has predominantly been on transitioning fleets to electric and installing the necessary infrastructure, EV training has not been mandated. This oversight underscores a vital need to emphasise the importance of specialised training for all personnel involved in the operation, maintenance, and emergency response of these vehicles.
Ensuring that workshop technicians, first responders, and Accident Investigation officers are proficient in safely handling electric vehicles is crucial. Rapid and safe intervention in the event of an accident or malfunction can significantly impact both the safety of the emergency service personnel and the public.
For emergency service workshops to transition smoothly to an electric future, it’s imperative for managers to not only familiarise themselves with the technical nuances of EVs but also to guide their teams effectively through this significant shift. This entails equipping personnel with both the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain burgeoning fleets of eco-friendly vehicles.
Finally, learning doesn’t just end when a training certificate is received, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that qualified technicians remain compliant and abreast of the latest advancements in EV and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology.
The evolving automotive landscape necessitates a workforce that is not only skilled in current practices but is also prepared to adapt to future innovations and stay on top of learning and development.
Bridging the gap
Autotech Training has been collaborating with emergency services across the UK, including ambulance services, fire brigades, and police forces, to upskill their technicians in electric vehicle maintenance and support managers with customised Management Development Programmes.
As an IMI-approved training provider, Autotech Training provides IMI Levels 1 – 4 Electric/Hybrid Vehicle courses, either from its Milton Keynes based bespoke training suite or on the premises of a customer’s workshop.
West Midlands Fire Service, the second largest fire and rescue service in England, operates 38 fire stations across the West Midlands. As with a lot of emergency services, WMFS tries to keep all service work in-house and the Principal Workshop Technician was keen to ensure that the vehicle technicians had the skill set to safely carry out repairs on electric vehicles.
Reducing travelling time and hotel costs for the 16 WMFS technicians, Autotech Training delivered the training at their West Midlands Fire Service HQ in Birmingham. Further limiting the impact on workshop capacity and day-to-day productivity, Autotech Training also broke the training into three sessions.
The transition towards electric vehicles within the UK’s emergency services represents a step towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to public safety. However, the success of this initiative hinges on effectively addressing the skills gap through comprehensive training programs and continuous professional development.
By investing in the upskilling of their workforce, emergency services can ensure not only the seamless integration of these advanced vehicles into their fleets but also the safety and efficiency of their operations in serving the community.
To read similar articles, check out our Sustainability channel.
The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co located with The Emergency Tech Show on 18-19 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find Autotech Training in Hall 5, stand L224.
