The Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) recently received a $16,000 grant to install "green" technology on two new fire engines that will cut diesel emissions and save fuel.
The Washington State Department of Ecology bestowed the grant to the VRFA from its clean diesel grant program, a program that awards grants to organizations wanting to
reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment.
"Our new fire engines represent long term investments designed to serve and protect the community for the next 15 years. It is the responsibility of the VRFA to make sure we've done everything within our power to be both environmentally and
fiscally responsible to the citizens we serve," said Battalion Chief Parry Boogard.
The Rosenbauer "Greenstar" idle reduction technology system relies on a small diesel engine that powers an 8000 watt generator installed on top of the fire engine. This system automatically turns on after a pre-determined amount of time when the fire engine is
idling and the emergency brake is set. It shuts down the main diesel engine and provides power to critical systems including headlights, running lights, emergency lights, computers, radios and scene lights. The system not only cuts down on fuel use, exhaust and noise, but also decreases wear and tear on the larger diesel engine. The cost to replace a diesel particulate filter in a fire engine is approximately $5000. Idle Reduction Technology reduces the number of hours that the larger diesel engines spend idling at emergency scenes, thus maximizing the overall life of diesel particulate filters and saving money in replacement costs.
"We are pleased that the grant from the Department of Ecology will allow us to add the Greenstar Idle Reduction Technology to our new fire engines. The VRFA Board of Governance encourages us to search out opportunities for using environmentally sound
technologies in our day to day operations and this feature is consistent with their vision," said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Gerber.
The new technology will be installed on two fire engines the VRFA recently ordered built by General Fire of Spokane, Washington. The pumpers will be completed in the spring of 2012 and replace fire engines purchased in 1984 and 1990.
reduce emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment.
"Our new fire engines represent long term investments designed to serve and protect the community for the next 15 years. It is the responsibility of the VRFA to make sure we've done everything within our power to be both environmentally and
fiscally responsible to the citizens we serve," said Battalion Chief Parry Boogard.
The Rosenbauer "Greenstar" idle reduction technology system relies on a small diesel engine that powers an 8000 watt generator installed on top of the fire engine. This system automatically turns on after a pre-determined amount of time when the fire engine is
idling and the emergency brake is set. It shuts down the main diesel engine and provides power to critical systems including headlights, running lights, emergency lights, computers, radios and scene lights. The system not only cuts down on fuel use, exhaust and noise, but also decreases wear and tear on the larger diesel engine. The cost to replace a diesel particulate filter in a fire engine is approximately $5000. Idle Reduction Technology reduces the number of hours that the larger diesel engines spend idling at emergency scenes, thus maximizing the overall life of diesel particulate filters and saving money in replacement costs.
"We are pleased that the grant from the Department of Ecology will allow us to add the Greenstar Idle Reduction Technology to our new fire engines. The VRFA Board of Governance encourages us to search out opportunities for using environmentally sound
technologies in our day to day operations and this feature is consistent with their vision," said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Gerber.
The new technology will be installed on two fire engines the VRFA recently ordered built by General Fire of Spokane, Washington. The pumpers will be completed in the spring of 2012 and replace fire engines purchased in 1984 and 1990.
