For example, the jaws of life usually are employed by cutting the car at the roof support. In hybrids, a high voltage cable runs through this area. Cutting through it with a tool like the jaws can create a ground fault. Batteries are DC, which produces a more damaging current physically than AC (although AC can cause a heart palpitation that can easily kill you). More likely you will damage the equipment, but it does pose a danger to the EMTs.
Shorting out batteries is always a risk of explosion. More bateries = more risk.
“For example, the jaws of life usually are employed by cutting the car at the roof support.”
Current practice is to keep the roof in place to maintain structural integrity of the vehicle.
I’m on A Fire Department (Volunteer). I don’t agree with this new practice.
We now carry a manual that details the structural components of all late model cars to assist us in extrication. If we need to refer to the book we are under orders not to let the public see us reading through it.