Group accredits Kent Regional Fire Authority vehicle fleet

The Kent Regional Fire Authority has received its National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) accreditation for decreasing environmental impacts by its vehicles.

NAFA is the only recognized accreditation program in the country for vehicle fleets.

NAFA’s accreditation status is important to the department because it provides a singular set of standards and unique tools that help vehicle fleets measure, track, and score accomplishments towards sustainability, according to a Kent RFA media release. Sustainability means managing and reducing the net environmental impacts of a vehicle fleet.

The Kent RFA is the first fire department in the country to receive this accreditation, according to fire officials. Because fire departments by their nature push their vehicles to do more than more typical vehicle fleets, it makes meeting the high standards set by NAFA even more difficult.

So what did the Kent RFA do to become accredited?

In January 2015, its vehicle maintenance shop began a Green on Scene campaign. The goals of the initiative included improving air quality through emission reduction; increasing fuel efficiency; reducing fuel usage; and reducing carbon footprint.

To accomplish these goals the Kent RFA:

• Began working with those that drive fire apparatus on driving in a more efficient manner without sacrificing the need to respond to calls quickly.

• Installed “idle reduction” systems in large emergency vehicles that shut down the diesel engines when idling and using battery power or a small generator to power emergency lights and other equipment.

• Purchased hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles for non-emergency use.

• Substituted vegetable oil for petroleum based oil for certain systems.

• Began reusing oil rather than disposing of it.