Carbon Campaign
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is launching a two year awareness campaign aimed at encouraging staff to change their behaviour and take an active part in helping the Service reduce its carbon footprint by 22% over the next five years
The campaign will include a broad mix of communications activities including posters, display stands, a dedicated intranet section, Green Champions, a variety of themed activities and much more!
Climate Change
Environmental climate change affects us all, at home, at work and within the community we serve.
We are aware that the consequences of our business and emergency activities do have an impact on the local and global environment. We also have a responsibility for responding to the challenge of climate change.
The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008-11 gave us the authority and responsibility to act where harm may be caused to the environment, including the life and health of plants and animals.
Our activities are complemented by a longstanding arrangement with the Environment Agency when dealing with hazardous spillages, fire water run off, radioactive substances and disposal of waste that ensures effective co-operation.
As we are often the first emergency service to arrive at an incident, equipment is available on all Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) to initially contain hazardous pollutants, until removed by a specialist contractor.
Provision has also been enhanced by heavy duty High Volume Pumps, and a specialist dedicated Hazardous Detection Identification and Monitoring team with equipment.
To become more environmentally friendly, we will undertake a baseline assessment of our Carbon Footprint (carbon dioxide emissions) enabling targeted programmes of reduction to meet the Government commitment of 80% fewer Carbon Dioxide emissions by 2050.
Energy consumption, procurement policy, building design, fleet movement, recycling, along with numerous other practices and policies will all contribute to a reduction in our carbon footprint.
We will therefore develop our current activities, increase environmental awareness and embed an Environment Strategy within our service. This will ensure we can fulfil our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.
