CARLOW County Fire & Rescue Service has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the addition of three new eco-friendly jeeps to its fleet.
The service took delivery of two Skoda Kodiaks and one Ford Ranger 4×4 on 30 April. The vehicles will be powered exclusively by ‘hydro-treated vegetable oil’ (HVO), a green fuel manufactured from renewable waste materials that can reduce emissions by up to 90%.
At a handover ceremony, representatives from Skoda, Jack Slattery and Ollie Brannock, and Ford’s John O’Mahony, along with Noel Howard from HPMP (High Precision Motor Products), Tullow, who fitted out the jeeps for the fire service use, presented the keys to Carlow County Council cathaoirleach cllr Fergal Brown and acting chief fire officer Ben Woodhouse.
The Fire and Rescue Service’s three new eco-friendly jeeps
“I’m delighted to receive the three new 4×4 HVO-fuelled jeeps to put them into operational service and replacing older diesel-fuelled vehicles,” said CFO Woodhouse. “The new 4×4 jeeps combine the provision in the latest safety technology for our staff and other road users when responding to incidents, while reducing emissions by up to 90%.” CFO Woodhouse emphasised that the procurement demonstrates the service’s commitment to decarbonising its fleet, following other recent eco-friendly acquisitions, including the county’s first ECO Class Fire Appliance, battery-operated RTC equipment and battery-operated PPV fans.
The two Skoda Kodiaks will be based at Carlow Fire Station, while the Ford Ranger will serve at Hacketstown Fire Station. The Ford Ranger comes equipped with a vehicle-mounted sign to provide advanced warning to other road users of hazards ahead – a safety feature now available at all fire stations throughout Co Carlow.
With these additions, four vehicles in the County Fire & Rescue Service’s fleet now use sustainable alternative fuel sources, contributing to Carlow County Council’s Climate Action Plan.
In a more unusual development, the Fire & Rescue Service also recently welcomed some unexpected four-legged recruits to help with environmental initiatives across the county. A small herd of Old Irish Goats, a rare breed, began visiting various locations in Carlow as part of a county council initiative to support urban pollinators. The initiative builds on work carried out under the Carlow Green Infrastructure Strategy to encourage changes in how residential greens are managed.
SSO Eddie O’Hara and firefighter Madeline Condon from Bagenalstown Fire Station welcomed the goats to Leighlinbridge recently, where firefighters delivered community fire safety messages alongside environmental education to visiting school classes.