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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Headquarters
146 Bolton Road
Swinton, Manchester
M27 8US
Tel: 0161 736 5866
For a FREE Home Fire Risk Assessment please call:
0800 555 815
"Recently I was asked to put a foreword in the North West
Fire and Rescue Service's Environmental Champion's Handbook - a
hard copy of which has just landed on my desk. A significant number
of people have contributed to what is a really informative and well
presented guide. It is intended to support local watch
"sustainability" references to reduce the environmental impact and
use of resources on their site.
Can I say well done to everyone associated with the handbook. It's really great to see staff working together across the North West Fire Services to minimise duplication of efforts and share good and best practices.
There's one thing I'd like to touch on briefly though, you'll find much more information, tips & tools in the handbook which I gather is also going to be uploaded to the BigRed (our intranet) and on our website.
Climate change is one of the inherent challenges facing the Fire and Rescue Services and we don't need to look as far as the wild fires in Russia or the floods in Pakistan to see some of the negative impacts - we too have seen increases in wildfires during hotter drier periods and we will all recall the flooding locally - most recently at Cockermouth. But the point I want to make is this - as well as providing a challenge, there is also a huge opportunity.
There have been numerous reports which speculate the economic opportunity, from early action on climate change through energy efficiency, growth in green jobs, skills and the creation of new businesses - some reports estimate an opportunity to the Manchester region alone of £20 billion in the next 10 years. Last year we spent £2.1 million on gas, electricity, water and fuel so there must be opportunities to save. Of course some of this will be through our refurbishments and capital investments - but simple behaviours such as locally monitoring & targeting our energy use and even as simple as checking lights are out in areas not in use can contribute significant efficiencies.
I don't want to sound "preachy" - it can be very easy to do - but I really would urge a continued level of commitment and energy (excuse the pun) in terms of keeping the environmental issue very high on our agenda - even when times get harder."
