Immersed Technologies is proud to announce its critical involvement in a high-stakes fire incident, further solidifying the company’s reputation as an industry leader in high-voltage electric vehicle systems. The morning after CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department responded to a battery electric bus fire, a reignition event prompted the agencies to call Immersed Technologies President Mike Brock to the scene to lend his expertise in addressing the incident.
The incident occurred at 7:15 p.m. June 28, 2023, when firefighters received reports of a large commercial bus ablaze at a manufacturing facility on the 9600 block of Galena Street in Jurupa Valley. First responders quickly identified the burning vehicle as an electric municipal bus, which posed an immediate risk to 20 adjacent buses.
Thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of the responding battalion chiefs, engines, and trucks, the fire was contained to the bus of origin within 45 minutes, with no injuries reported. The resources deployed included:
- Battalion Chiefs: 1
- Engines: 4
- Trucks: 1
- Firefighters: 16
Despite the successful containment, the bus was destroyed, necessitating a detailed assessment of the electric vehicle components by the County Environmental Health team before the vehicle could be isolated and safely moved to a quarantine area. The rear compartment batteries remained intact, but precise de-energization and isolation of the high-voltage batteries was required.
Immersed Technologies’ role as the high-voltage electrical experts on the scene underscores its commitment to public safety and its capacity to handle complex electrical emergencies. Brock’s involvement not only assisted in the immediate aftermath but also contributed to the ongoing investigation and safety assessments.
“We would like to thank CAL FIRE, the Riverside County Fire Department, and the bus manufacturer for their trust in our expertise and their relentless efforts in safeguarding our community,” Brock said.