Local fire departments receive Emergency Plug system donations

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New technology is coming to a few local fire departments to help them address emergencies involving electric vehicles. Unlike traditional fuel powered vehicles, EVs can be hard to assess and turn off in the event of an emergency.

The new Emergency Plug system allows first responders to safely control the electronics.

"Essentially, it plugs into the battery port and puts the vehicle in park and disables all the electronics so we can operate safely removing a patient or whatever we need to do without the risk of it rolling away or starting on us," Cohoes Fire Capt. Russell Coonradt said.

The plugs were donated by NH Kelman Recycling to the Cohoes, Schenectady, and Glens Falls Fire Departments.