Ford Motor Co. has published an emergency response guide for the Escape Hybrid vehicle.

Hybrid vehicles supplement power produced by a gasoline-powered engine with power provided by a high-voltage electrical system. Some responders have been caught off guard by hybrid vehicles in accidents because there is no sound of an engine running when the car is running off the electrical system.

Special features are built into the car to protect first responders, according to Ford. “However, when approaching a high-voltage vehicle in a fire, rescue or recovery situation, always assume the car is on when approaching,” the guidelines stress.

See the Escape Hybrid Emergency Response Guide for more details.