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2. Operational Activities.

2.1 What we do.

During 2004/05 East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service :-

• Attended 34 incidents which were notifiable to the Environment Agency.
• Attended 186 incidents where Environment Agency supplied 'Environmental Grab Packs' were used.
• Continued to deliver our service in ways that safeguard the environment by training our staff and engaging with the public and partners to proactively reduce the incidences of pollution by the ongoing development of training, service delivery and procedures.
• Continued to work with the Environment Agency to ensure an effective local and strategic response to incidents.
• Agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environment Agency and West Sussex Fire Service.
• Introduced an Incident Response Unit specifically designed to deal with the aftermath of a Chemical and Biological Incidents in the County.

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2.2 What we plan to do.

During 2005/06 we plan to:-

• Review the operational procedures for tackling large scale fires in the open with the Environment Agency and the Ashdown Forest Board of Conservators.
• Take delivery of a range of new equipment and appliances to improve our effectiveness when dealing with environmental incidents. One of these appliances will be the High Volume Pumps.
• Work with other services in our region through our involvement in the Regional Management Board to effectively deal with large scale incidents to ensure a co-ordinated and strategic response.
• Continue to work to reduce the pollution caused at operational incidents.

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3. Technical Support.

3.1 What we do.

• Successful trial and introduction of environmentally friendly 1-7 Foam into the Service reducing the use of Water.
• All Service vehicles now use a single fuel, Clean City diesel.
• Ongoing replacement of old, inefficient vehicles with those incorporating modern lean burn technology.
• All Workshops are registered as waste sites and recycle oil and other fluids thus ensuring that the Service complies to regulations governing such sites. Tyres on vehicles are re-grooved where ever it is safe to do so to extend their life. Air driven and battery operated tools have been introduced to reduce workshop electricity consumption.
• Service computers are upgraded rather than replaced where practical, Flat screen introduced to reduce energy consumption. Latest blade technology used to reduce power consumption in server rooms.
• Introduction on all sites of multi-purpose photocopiers (combining copying, printing and faxes in one machine), thus enabling printing direct from terminals and removing need for reliance upon laser printers, reducing the number of printers, copiers and faxes required saving overall costs including energy use.

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3.2 What we plan to do.

During the next few years we plan to:-

• 2006
  • Ongoing implementation of policy to renew Service cars, light vans and fire appliances after 3, 5 and 15 years respectively.
  • Introduction of small fire appliances equipped with 1:7 foam, commencing 2006 for completion 2010.
  • Investigate with Engineering and Procurement options to use rechargeable batteries throughout the Service, particularly in Radios and other constant use operational equipment.
• 2007
  • Start the introduction of "Add Blue" and Ether additives on emergency appliances (linked to modern "lean burn" engine technology.
  • Hybrid vehicles to be evaluated and reported to Fire Authority with recommendations.
  • Introduction of the use of Synthetic oil in all vehicles reducing emissions and frequency of oil changes.
  • Completion of run out of flat screens to all PC and Server terminals.
  • Investigate with Estates the options to reduce cooling systems in Server Rooms and possibility of re-using the heat generated elsewhere in the premises.
• 2008
  • Start of compliance with City of Brighton clean air policy.

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4. Purchasing Policy.

4.1 What we do.

• Toner cartridges on all printers and copiers are recyclable and being recycled.
• All packaging received in deliveries to Service stores in Hailsham are recycled through a centre in Lewes.
• Wightman and Parish deliver janitorial supplies directly to fire stations reducing duplication of journeys and increasing efficiency of both Companies.
• Policy implemented to purchase only genuine replacement vehicle batteries which last up to 4 times longer than those available from other sources thus reducing quantity of waste batteries produced by the Service.
• ICT products only sourced from suppliers adhering to Government Legislation relating to end of life and recyclability of their products.

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4.2 What we plan to do.

During the next few years we plan to:-

• 2006
  • Increasing use of direct deliveries planned from Suppliers to stations (e.g. Buck and Hickman).
  • Stores to cease stocking and issue of tungsten lights in favour of energy savings equivalents.
  • In conjunction with Estates Service Support Officers to have an increased use in collection and disposal of recycled commodities subject to affordable and appropriate system being agreed.
• 2008
  • Regionalisation of stores saving on the facility in total, including transport use, energy costs, etc.

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5. Buildings.

5.1 What we do.

• Capital funding has been made available for the foreseeable future of £1,000,000 per annum, together with Revenue funding of up to £400,000 per annum. Within this £50,000 per annum has been allocated for energy efficiency measures, in addition all works programmes allowances have been made for upgrading energy efficiency and reducing waste.
• A survey of all premises has been carried out by the Carbon Trust identifying main cost savings that can be achieved. Results of this have been fed into the Capital and Revenue Planned Works Programmes which are now in their third year since funding was agreed.
• All Service housing has been upgraded through HEES grant to include cavity and loft insulation throughout. In addition all Service housing has double glazing to all external windows and doors.
• All Service housing has had water meters installed to monitor water use, minimising both waste and standing charges.
• All service premises except Service housing have water saving devices fitted to all urinals.
• Heating boilers and/or control systems have been renewed and upgraded at Bexhill, Battle, Preston Circus, Eastbourne and Wadhurst Fire Stations.
• Cavity and/or loft insulations has been carried out at Hove, Bohemia Road, Ore, Hailsham, Pevensey, Herstmonceux and Barcombe Fire Stations.
• Upgrading by modern controlled electric heating to Herstmonceux and Pevensey Fire Stations.
• Reflective film applied to premises windows to improve security and reduce energy costs.
• The Lecture Block at Service Training Centre has been completely refurbished incorporating high levels of energy efficiency, modern condensing boilers, proximity lighting and sprinkler taps.
• Shredded paper recycled from elsewhere to commence fire burns.
• Wood used in fire burns predominantly off-cuts of clean wood chip, etc, cut to size and kept in controlled conditions, to reduce burn time and pollutants.
• Low energy lighting is used throughout HQ, much lighting to open areas being controlled by individual movement sensors.
• The heating installation in HQ is zoned between floors and areas on each floor, in addition local programmable thermostats are fitted to allow efficient and appropriate use of the heating system.
• Introduction of recycling of water, plastic and paper initiative throughout the premises, currently a full van load of recycling is collected from the premises each week.

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5.2 What we plan to do.

During the next few years we plan to:-

• 2006
  • Investigate and improve use of premises to reduce/remove environmental issues relating to ground water and training pits (Investigations complete by spring 2006 and Programme works on all premises for completion by 2010).
  • Expand use of £50,000 set aside for energy efficiency to include waste and other environmental issues and ensure monies remain in budget.
  • The refurbishment of the Training Centre is planned for late 2005 through to Summer 2006 and incorporates the replacement of all existing energy inefficient portable buildings by modern insulated and energy efficient permanent structures.
  • Identify and improve environmental issues regarding waste water on site.
  • Investigate options for utilising ground water inverter for hot water provision.
  • Reduce number of waste bins at HQ from 5 to 2 by 2010, a rate of 1 per annum.
• 2007
  • Introduce recycling initiatives onto the site, assisted by completion of adjacent household waste site by Onyx.(By the end of 2007 subject to Onyx site completion)
• 2008
  • Completion of works recommended by Carbon Trust.
  • Increase use of proximity lighting throughout HQ on a benefit led basis.
  • Planned roll out of energy and light saving blinds throughout HQ to reduce heating costs as well as increased comfort of users through reduced glare.

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