Carlow Fire Service leads the way nationally with landmark ‘hat-trick’ accreditation
Carlow Fire Service becomes first in Ireland to secure three ISO environmental and safety accreditations
Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service has become the first fire service in Ireland to achieve environmental accreditation alongside a hat-trick of international excellence standards.
The service has been awarded three International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) accreditations covering environmental, health and safety, and quality management, following an independent audit by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
It is also the first fire authority in the country to receive accreditation for its environmental waste management systems.
In 2024, the service introduced what it described as the world’s first ECO Class fire appliance, combining software technology with hydrotreated vegetable oil, as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and modernise operations.
“We have redoubled our efforts to become Ireland’s greenest fire and rescue service,” said Acting Chief Fire Officer Ben Woodhouse.
“The assessment identified our strong commitment to fleet electrification, demonstrating proactive action toward reducing emissions and modernising operations.”
He said further initiatives have included upgrades to station facilities, the development of biodiversity gardens, and the upcycling of decommissioned fire service equipment into environmental projects.
At the April meeting of the Carlow Municipal District, councillors praised the service for its achievements and ongoing work.
Cathaoirleach for the district, Ken Murnane said he “appreciates the work fire service put in and the quality of their work.”
Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Browne highlighted the service’s use of HVO fuel, saying it had become particularly relevant in the current fuel environment.
“Great work being done in Carlow’s fire service and even moving to the HVO fuel we didn’t think at the time that we would need it so urgently in the current fuel crisis we are having,” he said.
Fine Gael councillor Andrea Dalton said she believed Carlow had “the best fire service in the country”, praising its training centre and standards.
Independent councillor Fintan Phelan said the achievement was “second to none”, while People Before Profit councillor Adrienne Wallace described the service as “phenomenal.”
She also praised its use of technology, safety standards and environmental practices, saying it showed “how you can have the best technology, the best safety standards while being environmentally friendly.”
Mr Woodhouse said Carlow Fire Service was “leading the way nationally” and continued to “punch well above its weight” despite being one of the smallest fire authorities in the country.