Looking Green in the Fire Department

As part of the voter-approved Fire Department Capital Plan, the Sylvania Township Trustees are looking at ways to make the new fire stations more energy efficient and decrease their environmental impact. This is a process that I think is important, as we want to minimize the impact on our environment while remaining within our budget projections - in other words, we spend only what the voters said we could spend.

Currently, we have authorized a redrafting of our building plans to include solar water heating, thus reducing our energy use at all four stations and decreasing our dependence on energy. Calculations vary on the cost-savings of solar water heating, but there are other advantages as well including selective replacement of panels as they age as opposed to having to replace an entire hot water tank at once thus extending the cost of replacing the system over a longer period of time.

We are also reviewing the option of using permeable concrete for portions of our driveway and parking areas at all four stations. Permeable concrete is very porous and allows rain water to drain through the concrete (and into the soil) thus reducing storm water runoff. Using permeable concrete will allow us to reduce the size of retention ponds and minimize the need for other storm water management devices. This will in turn reduce certain construction costs, thus allowing us to efficiently use our resources and stay within budget.

Some other 'green' practices that will be incorporated into the new fire stations include rain gardens; minimized paving and building footprint; building material with recycled content; natural lighting requirements; high efficiency HVAC units; high efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors.

We will continue to review energy efficient ideas as we progress through the capital building plan, focusing on building materials and systems that have a reasonable pay-back time period. This emphasis will allow the Township to remain in budget while contributing to the support of the environment and at the same time providing cost efficient fire and EMS protection to the Sylvania community.