Tesla hosts first West Coast training for first responders
San Bernardino County Fire partnered with Tesla for the inaugural West Coast training event on handling electric vehicles and modern energy systems. The two-day session at the San Bernardino Regional Emergency Training Center equipped first responders with hands-on experience. This marks Tesla's first such program outside New York City.
On October 5, 2025, San Bernardino County Fire collaborated with Tesla to host a pioneering two-day training event at the San Bernardino Regional Emergency Training Center. The initiative focused on preparing first responders for challenges from electric vehicles and advanced energy systems, drawing participants from fire and law enforcement agencies, public safety stakeholders, and towing professionals across the region.
Attendees engaged in practical sessions with Tesla's products, including electric vehicles, Megapack, Powerwall, solar systems, and Supercharging infrastructure. Tesla engineers and product teams demonstrated current technologies, prototypes, and upcoming innovations, while discussing safety protocols for emergencies involving high-voltage systems and battery-powered vehicles.
Fire Chief Dan Munsey highlighted the event's value: “Tesla reached out and said they wanted to bring in their engineers, their teams, and actual Tesla products, not just what’s on the road today, but what’s coming tomorrow. This training gave our firefighters a chance to engage directly with the technology, ask the tough safety questions, and talk through the best ways to keep both responders and the public safe as the renewable energy industry continues to grow.”
This was the first West Coast iteration of the program; Tesla's only prior event occurred in New York City with the Fire Department of New York. Officials emphasized the proactive approach: “With the increasing adoption of clean energy and electric transportation, San Bernardino County Fire is taking a proactive stance in ensuring public and first responder safety. The Tesla training event exemplified a forward-thinking approach, placing San Bernardino County Fire at the forefront of modern hazard mitigation and emergency readiness.”
The training aimed to build confidence in managing incidents with evolving technologies, underscoring the growing need for specialized skills in emergency response.