Every year, the FDNY’s Subway and Auto Extrication Unit is in charge of keeping over 10,000 members trained and up-to-date. Evan Balcombe (MA 2105/2106) has the privilege of being a part of that group.
As one of the lead instructors of the unit, Evan Balcombe facilitates the group to be kept current on new training methods. When he noticed electric vehicles (EVs) began appearing more frequently at crash scenes, he realized that existing safety measures were no longer enough. The FDNY and the entire nation of firefighters were missing out on critical information surrounding first responder operations.
EVs pose unique risks, such as high-voltage systems, delayed battery fires, and sudden, unpredictable movement. Yet guidance from vehicle manufacturers is inconsistent. Automakers aren’t required to share emergency response data, and when they do, the information varies widely in format and quality.
“We are supposed to be the experts,” Balcombe said. “But when it came to EVs, we didn’t have the information we needed to give to firefighters.”
The popularity of EVs is increasing, too. As of 2023, more than 130,000 EVs were registered in New York State—with over 27,000 in New York City alone, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Those numbers are expected to rise sharply under the state’s zero-emissions vehicle mandate by 2035.
Seeing an opportunity to prepare his firefighters and drive real change, Balcombe used his master’s thesis at CHDS to explore the operational and policy challenges of EV emergency response. With guidance from faculty, such as Professor Nick Dew, he began building a solution.
“Nick told me, ‘You can’t handle the whole problem, but you can take a bite—one small piece of it. If you address that, you move forward,’” Balcombe recalled. “That advice changed everything.”
That insight led him to create a Progressive Web Application (PWA) which consolidates all the information firefighters need to handle EV incidents safely. Together with integral help from Lt. Jim Amberger, who wrote the code for PWA application, they worked through numerous iterations and problems to make the PWA successful. The app provides instant access to key data such as battery locations, high-voltage zones, and safe cut points for right on scene. It integrates Emergency Response Guides (ERGs), Quick Reference Guides (QRGs), and vehicle-specific data sheets into a single, easy-to-use platform.
“CHDS gave me the research skills and the confidence to present my concerns to leadership, and they listened.”
-Evan Balcombe, FDNY
Balcombe’s larger goal is to establish regulations that all EV manufacturers must provide standardized ERGs and QRGs for every new model. To keep up with changing vehicle designs, he is also automating the process of updating the guides to make them easier to manage.
“If you’re going to put a car on the road, just give us the information,” he said. “It shouldn’t be behind a paywall or buried on a website.”
Currently, there is no central repository for these guides, nor is there a federal requirement for a consistent format. Balcombe envisions a national registry where all ERGs and QRGs would follow the ISO 17840 standard—an internationally recognized framework which presents rescue information—like battery locations and high-voltage zones—clearly and consistently for first responders.
The app not only improves on-scene safety and demonstrates how practical solutions can strengthen department operations, but it also reflects the skills Balcombe gained at CHDS, which helped him turn a front-line challenge into a lasting solution.
“CHDS gave me the research skills and the confidence to present my concerns to leadership, and they listened,” he said, adding that the program also strengthened his professional network. “Many of my closest friends now are from CHDS. We talk weekly. That network has been invaluable.”
The app is already proving its value. It is used daily by FDNY and shared through the department’s “Pass It On” program, which distributes new tools, safety practices, and innovations across FDNY and with fire departments nationwide. Keeping it current, however, remains a challenge.
“We’re good through 2023 and 2024, but 2025 models are already out. It’s a constant race,” he said.
Still, Balcombe sees the app as a powerful proof of concept. It shows that operational insight, combined with academic research, can drive real change.
“We’re showing that this can be done,” he said. “Now we just need the support from outside the FDNY to take it national.”
