Saving Lives and Saving the Planet - ACT Emergency Services Agency

In 2018, the ACT Government, including the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA), adopted the Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Action Plan 2018-2021. The Plan was established to tackle transport emissions in the ACT, which contributes over 60% of all emissions in the Territory. ZEV action in the ACT is ongoing, with the Action Plan now being superseded by the ZEV Strategy 2022-2030. In 2019, the ACT Government released the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019-2025 which committed the ACT Government to net zero by 2045 and net zero government operations by 2040.

The ESA Sustainability program delivers actions focused on the holistic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from transport, and the improvement of work, health and safety practices for its staff and the ACT Community.

The program has sought to provide innovative, responsible, and sustainable outcomes for the ACT community

Motivated by a desire to provide a safe and sustainable workplace for ESA staff and volunteers and supported by the targets set under the ACT Government Strategies, the ESA Sustainability program has sought to provide innovative, responsible, and sustainable outcomes for the ACT community. As a first mover in sustainable emergency service provision, the ESA Sustainability program provides a comprehensive approach for the refinement of emergency operations for environmental, economic, and societal benefits.

Since its commencement in 2019, the ESA sustainability program has achieved a number of significant outcomes including: the implementation of the first battery electric breathing apparatus support truck; a commitment to a further 6 heavy-duty electric support vehicles, a commitment to nine 9 DC EV chargers in addition to the DC charger already in service; the commencement of build and design processes for 2 fully electric and EV ready fire and ambulance stations; the adoption of range of FCEV, PHEV and BEV’s into the passenger vehicle fleet; and the implementation of Australia’s first electric fire truck.

Through detailed consultation with ACT Fire and Rescue (ACTF&R) firefighters and the ACT Government’s Zero Emissions Government team, the electric fire truck project team sought to provide a revolutionary solution to emissions reduction, community safety, and the wellbeing of frontline operational staff. The resulting electric fire truck is the most modern firefighting vehicle in the world. The design incorporates state-of-the-art features including electric drive and pumping capabilities making it incredibly innovative and advanced in the provision of urban firefighting.

To address the good health and wellbeing of operational staff, the design provides street level entry which reduces injuries to firefighters climbing in and out of fire trucks with heavy equipment on their backs. The electric motor is silent, reducing noise and vibration for firefighters which will greatly improve work health and safety across all ESA workplaces and make it easier for crews on the ground to operate. The reduction in carbon monoxide and cancer-causing diesel particulates from the firefighter’s work area is a key sustainability goal for electrifying the ESA fleet.

Through ambitious goal setting under the ESA Sustainability program and the ACT Government's transition to net-zero, the ESA has delivered long lasting and significant environmental, economic, and social benefits to the ACT community, earning them the Banksia Foundation's 2024 Net Zero Action Award.

Website: esa.act.gov.au