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A 4005

Relates to rotary and roundabout use and safety awareness

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger

Mandates standardized EV risk and fire scene training for NJ firefighters and EMTs, with 36-month completion windows, to improve safety handling lithium-ion battery fires.

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Bill Summary · A 4005

Summary — Assembly Bill A4005 (2024)

Status: Introduced March 7, 2024; reported favorably with committee amendments by Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (May 15, 2025); referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee. Sponsor: Assemblyman Sam Berger. Companion Senate bills: S1687 and S3583.

Purpose

Require standardized training for New Jersey firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on the risks posed by electric vehicles (EVs) and on safely and effectively managing EV-related incidents (notably EV fires involving lithium‑ion batteries).

Key provisions

  • Firefighter training

    • The Director of the Division of Fire Safety (Department of Community Affairs), in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute, must adopt a firefighter training course on EV risks and EV fire management.
    • All persons (volunteer or paid) engaged in fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue prior to the bill’s effective date must complete this course within 36 months of the effective date.
    • The Director is authorized to adopt implementing rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • EMT training

    • The Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute, and the New Jersey State First Aid Council, must adopt an EMT training course on EV risks and on safely performing duties at scenes involving EV fires.
    • EMTs seeking initial certification in basic life support must satisfactorily complete the training prior to certification. EMTs certified before the effective date must complete the training within 36 months.
    • The Commissioner of Health shall adopt implementing rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • Effective date and implementation

    • The act takes effect on the first day of the sixth month following enactment. The Director of the Division of Fire Safety and the Commissioner of Health may take anticipatory administrative actions to implement the law before that date.

Who is affected

  • All New Jersey firefighters (paid and volunteer) engaged in suppression/fire/rescue work.
  • All EMTs (basic life support) seeking Department of Health certification and those already certified.
  • State agencies responsible for curriculum development and rulemaking (Division of Fire Safety, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, NJ Fire & EMS Institute, NJ State First Aid Council).

Practical considerations / potential impact

  • Aims to improve responder safety and effectiveness when handling EV incidents; addresses unique hazards of lithium‑ion battery fires (longer, hotter burn behavior).
  • Training development and delivery costs and scheduling burdens are not specified in the bill; implementation costs may fall to state agencies, local fire/EMS departments, or training institutions depending on administrative decisions and funding sources.
  • Committee amendments are described as clarifying/technical (e.g., specifying the Director of Division of Fire Safety in certain sections).

This bill supplements Titles 52 and 26 of the Revised Statutes and focuses on standardizing EV-related safety training for first responders across the State.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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