London Fire Brigade comes top at 'Green' Oscars
The London Fire Brigade has won the prestigious overall award at the City of London Corporate Sustainability Awards held on 21st February. Earlier in the ceremony the Brigade was named the winner in the Sustainable Procurement category, which so impressed the judges it led to the Brigade winning the overall award. Judges praised the Brigade's three-year environmentally sustainable procurement strategy, which has led to fire engines being replaced to meet EU emissions standards and renewable energy sources being installed at London fire stations, as a "holistic approach". So far 104 appliances, some 61% of the Brigade's frontline fleet have been replaced with modern vehicles with engines to meet the latest EU directives on exhaust emissions. Meanwhile, older vehicles are being fitted with particulate traps. Two fire stations have been fitted with wind turbines and a further two fitted with solar panels. Forty similar schemes are being developed over the coming years. Meanwhile, contacts with the recycling industries have been developed and London Fire Brigade is actively promoting the use of waste fire hose for commercial reuse in innovate furniture designs. These initiatives will lead to the Brigade reducing carbon emissions - its carbon footprint - by up to 1,900 tonnes over the next two years. The Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Val Shawcross and the Brigade's Director of Resources, Barbara Riddell, received the award from Green Tsar Zac Goldsmith. Val Shawcross said: "This is fantastic news and testament to the hard work we are doing to combat climate change. We are now well on course to exceed the Mayor of London's GLA energy efficiency targets. I am delighted that the City of London Corporation has recognised the major efforts the Brigade is making." London Fire Commissioner Sir Ken Knight said:
"The Brigade is committed to reducing the overall environmental impact
of the services it provides and I am delighted we have received been recognised
for our efforts through this prestigious award."
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