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North West Ambulance Service
set to save millions with RRVs
WHEN you hear of electric vehicles you probably think of
milk floats, but would have thought rapid response vehicles? Well if you did, you
are spot on...
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) are now all set to become more
environmentally friendly as they plan to introduce electrically powered rapid
response vehicles (RRVs) into their fleet.
NWAS will be 1 of the 1st Ambulance Services in the Country to introduce
electric cars as part of their standard fleet and it is expected that it could
save the Trust up to ₤2.5 million in fuel costs, over the 4 year lease period.
RRVs are motorcars that have been converted into emergency response vehicles.
They are designed to be able to attend emergencies quicker than regular
ambulances because they are smaller and can get through traffic more easily.
Although they don't generally carry patients to Hospital, they are staffed by a
Paramedic who is able to administer life saving treatment at the scene of an
emergency.
Neil Maher, Assistant Director Service Delivery Support for North West Ambulance
Service said:- "The Trust relies heavily on rapid response vehicles to be
able to attend patients as quickly as possible. The introduction of these
electrically powered cars will not only provide huge cost savings for the Trust,
it will also have a huge impact on our carbon footprint, reducing the carbon
contribution from our RRVs from 1379.28 tonnes to 100.8 tonnes, a reduction of
73%."
Maintenance and lease costs are also reduced with the introduction of the new
RRV model, with an overall expected annual saving of over ₤4,300 per vehicle.
NWAS currently has 174 rapid response vehicles throughout the North West and
will initially be introducing four electrically powered vehicles as a trial. The
Trust will look to replace all RRVs with the new electric models gradually in
the coming years once the life span of the current vehicles comes to an end.
The 4 vehicles, initially being trialled in Bury and Rochdale, will be an
updated version of the BMW i3 model which has won various awards including UK
Car of the Year and Green Car of the Year.
The BMW i3 REx AC model, which is already being used in Police and Fire Services
within the UK, is equipped with a system that can support the vehicle by extending
the mileage range using a small petrol engine that can generate electricity for
the battery. This will only be used in extreme circumstances, but will provide
additional reliability for NWAS.
Neil continues: Neil continues:- "Although electric cars have been around
for some time, improvements in technology from BMW have allowed the Trust to be
confident enough to use them for emergency response units. The vehicles are
fitted with additional technology meaning the engine can be powered by petrol in
the unlikely event that the battery does run out. With the correct charging
routines and future battery advancement it is hoped that this system will only
be used on a small number of occasions to allow the Trust to achieve a target of
zero emissions. Although the technology available on the market has not yet
advanced far enough to allow the Trust to introduce electric vehicles throughout
its entire ambulance fleet, this is a very exciting starting point and we are
looking forward to further advances in the future."
A number of electric charging points have been installed across the Trust and
the 1st vehicles are expected to be in operation by early April 2017. |
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Green
waste collections resume
HOUSEHOLDERS whose gardens are littered
with debris from Storm Doris are being reminded that green waste collections
resume from Monday, 27 February 2017.
The service was suspended for the winter, in early December 2016, for the period
when there is low demand.
Following the recent bad weather, the Council is starting with a full allocation
of rounds for the 145,000 households who receive the service, rather than
increasing them gradually as it has done in previous years.
Councillor Steve Munby, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:- "We know
that the City was battered during Storm Doris and many front and back gardens
will be littered with branches, bushes and other green waste, so the
reintroduction of the service could not be more timely. We placed stickers on
all bins to notify people about the date for the reintroduction of the service
and anyone who is unsure can check on our website."
The Council is on target to collect over 18,000 tonnes of green waste in 2016 to
2017; are up on the 16,378 tonnes collected the previous Tax year (2015 to
2016).
✔ The following items can be put in the
Green Bin:-
► Grass cuttings, hedge clippings, dead plants and
weeds.
► Cut flower and shrub prunings (woody waste)
► Bark, leaves and small twigs.
► Branches no larger than 7.5cm or 3 inches in diameter.
✘ Green Bins will
not be emptied if they contain:-
► Stone, concrete, timber or builders' waste.
► Glass, plastic, metal, paper or cardboard.
► Plant pots, soil or turf.
► Household rubbish and food waste.
Bin collection dates can be found
online.
Appeal for information following fire in Bootle
MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for
witnesses after a fire was started deliberately, in Bootle, on Tuesday, 21
February 2017.
We are told that the Emergency Services were called to an address, in Bibbys
Lane, at around 8.35am, following reports of a house fire. Officers found a flat
at the premises on fire. 2 people in the building were evacuated safely.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended and were able to control the fire.
It is unclear what motive is behind the incident and an investigation has been
started.
Detective Inspector James Belmar said:- "The investigation is at a very
early stage, but the indications are that this was started deliberately. This
was a very dangerous incident and could have led to someone being seriously
injured. We will be increasing patrols in the area and I want to reassure the
community that we are focussed on finding those responsible. I appeal to anyone
who saw anything suspicious in the area of Bibbys Lane or who has information to
come forward and tell us so we can take action and prevent this happening
again."
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police of:- 0151 777 3810, via
101, or through Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111. |
