Course Description:

Roadway collisions, vehicle fires, and in-vehicle emergencies are common incident types that we as responders encounter.  As automotive technology advances, understanding modern vehicle technologies prepares us to respond safely and effectively. This 2-hour session, provided by General Motors, will introduce you to advanced vehicle technologies and response tactics, including: OnStar vehicle telematics, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and the basics of responding to incidents involving battery electric vehicles.

Instructor(s):

Charlene Poranganel, General Motors, OnStar

With experiences in training and emergency operations, Charlene Poranganel currently serves as the Global Public Safety Engagement Leader at General Motors. In this role, she supports Canada and global regions8 by educating the first responder community on OnStar emergency services and technologies, and how OnStar collaborates with first responders during emergency incidents. Previously, Charlene managed emergency call operations for in-vehicle emergencies, including EMD call handling, stolen vehicle and missing persons incidents, and customer satisfaction for OnStar members across North America. She also played a key role in implementing critical incident stress management programs within the OnStar emergency operations center to support advisors after handling challenging calls.

Mitch Petterson, General Motors

Mitch Petterson is a member of the Public Safety Engagement Team at General Motors.  As part of his role at GM, Mitch serves as a Subject Matter Expert and Trainer on both EV First Responder interactions and OnStar vehicle telematics.  Mitch retired from a twenty-eight-year career as a Firefighter/Paramedic with a fire department in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Throughout his career he served in number of roles and ranks including the last six years of his career as Fire Chief. Mitch is a certified Fire Instructor and EMS Instructor/Coordinator and has also earned degrees in Public Safety Administration and Business Administration.