green plan biodiversity action plan kilbarrack fire station final

BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Kilbarrack Fire Station

Fire Fighter Neil McCabe

Nov 2010

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Copyright © Neil McCabe, 2011

The moral right of the author has been asserted. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights

under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or

introduced to a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the

copyright owner.

Author Neil McCabe

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Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station

Contents:

Vision

Mission

Forward by Chief Fire Officer Hugh O Neill

Forward by Neil McCabe

Acknowledgements

Green Plan Vision Statement

Summary

The aims of this Biodiversity Action Plan

The four watches in Kilbarrack Fire Station

Introduction

1. What is Biodiversity

2. The importance of Biodiversity

3. The importance of Biodiversity in Kilbarrack Fire Station

4. The making of this Biodiversity Action Plan

5. Sponsorship and Supply

Biodiversity

1. Wild Garden concept

2. Woodland Garden

3. Birds

4. Designated Composting area

5. Weed killer and pests

6. Recycling materials

7. Local technical collage

8. Hydroponics

9. Allotment

10. Recreational Garden

11. Commemorative Garden

12. Biodiversity Action Day

13. Roof Garden concept

Biodiversity Action Plan

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Vision

In the changing future, Kilbarrack Fire Station will embrace and support Biodiversity and Wildlife in our

Fire Station. We will create eco systems, habitats and implement change. We will place our Fire Station as

a hub of Biodiversity that will affect the surrounding community.

F/F Alan Corcoran sorting the Ferns before planting

Mission

As Dublin Fire Brigade approaches 150 years in service to the citizens of Dublin providing safety and

protection to all, we now intend to use the model of the Green Plan to become leaders of sustainable

energy, to maximise our low carbon future, and to become Guardians of biodiversity empowering people

to effect change in our Fire Brigade and the local community itself.

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Foreword by Chief Fire Officer Mr. Hugh O’ Neill

2010 is the International year for Biodiversity. The production of

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change are issues that cannot be pushed

aside by organizations and individuals. I think it is fitting that in 2010

Kilbarrack Fire Station has been named as the world’s first Carbon

Neutral Fire Station. Innovation and forward thinking have been key to

this success. This Biodiversity Action Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station is

the first of its kind in Dublin Fire Brigade. Making the changes to habitat

loss and eco system development will not be easy to replicate across

Dublin Fire Brigade. However the innovation and practical application in

Kilbarrack Fire Station by the Fire Crews and particularly Neil McCabe, has shown clear achievements and

results. This Biodiversity Action Plan shows the direction that Dublin Fire Brigade is heading in and has the

support of Senior Management.

A Green Agenda has been established in Kilbarrack Fire Station and in September 2010 Dublin Fire

Brigade launched the Green Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station. The Green Plan is a Seven- Themed,

structured approach to becoming sustainable. Kilbarrack Fire Station was chosen as the Flagship for this

Green Plan and has made many achievements thus far. Energy consumption has dropped by 80% and the

Fire Station has reduced its water intake by 1,500,000 litres of water in 2010 alone. Kilbarrack Fire

Station has also been named as the Flagship for Dublin City Council’s Sustainability Report 2010 as an

exemplar for Dublin itself.

One of the Seven Themes of the Green Plan is Biodiversity and four areas of wildlife conservation in the

Fire Station have been identified. The Fire Crews have worked voluntarily to create four beautiful gardens

that include ecosystems and support wildlife. It is surprising to see how the work undertaken in

Kilbarrack Fire Station has made an impact on the local community. The Crew of the Fire Station have

communicated and interacted with the surrounding local community and have held open days in the Fire

Station, educating local national school children on Biodiversity, Wildlife and Nature. Indeed Kilbarrack

Fire Station is becoming a hub of Sustainability and Biodiversity in the community. This can only have a

positive outcome and is already showing results.

I would like to commend Neil McCabe for his time, researching and writing this Biodiversity Action Plan. I

would like to thank the Serving Fire Crews of Kilbarrack Fire Station and the Dublin Fire Brigade Retired

Members Association for their dedication and commitment to Biodiversity and wildlife in the Fire Station.

Their commitment has been integral in driving this Biodiversity Action Plan. This Biodiversity Action Plan

has identified, addressed and remedied environmental problems that would have normally been

overlooked and I am proud to be associated with it.

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Foreword by Fire Fighter Neil McCabe

I am grateful for the opportunity to write this Biodiversity Action Plan for

Kilbarrack Fire Station. In early 2008 I undertook the writing and project

managing of the Green Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station as a Flagship model

for all of Dublin Fire Brigade. This involved comprehensive research and

investment in new technologies and a change in the way Dublin Fire

Brigade conducted its Business. I identified back then the need for a

Biodiversity Action Plan to be written.

I have always been taken aback by the levels of support and the

willingness to be involved that the four Fire Crews of Kilbarrack Fire

Station have shown. Biodiversity is embraced as one of the Seven Themes of the Green Plan and when

this Action Plan was in its infancy all the Stations Crews got behind it. Biodiversity is sometimes

misunderstood accidentally. People tend to forget that humans are not just a means of fixing problems

with Habitat loss and eco systems; but that we are also part of the solution. In Kilbarrack Fire Station we

have turned waste ground into gardens that can be used recreationally by the Crew of the Station and

can facilitate Biodiversity education in the local community.

Climate Change should be on everyone’s agenda, yet most people feel that there is nothing they can do.

This attitude has changed in Kilbarrack Fire Station and we have introduced sweeps of natural wild

flowers and built below ground ecosystems that have demonstrated how small actions can yield big

results. Butterflies previously never seen before on the Fire Station grounds were seen flying around in

large numbers during summer 2010. Our Beehives have caused local people to comment on an increased

numbers of bees in people’s gardens. Biodiversity is about more then plants and wildlife. In Kilbarrack

Fire Station our Biodiversity Action Plan includes Dublin Fire Brigade’s first Commemorative Garden for

members Past and Present. This Garden is an area of reflection for Fire Personnel and their families who

wish to come and have a quiet, peaceful moment. This garden has also supported outings for terminally

ill patients from the local community. In the background the garden is full of life. There are bird boxes

and bird feeding stations, bat roosts, beehives and a pond, to name just a few.

Local school children from nine surrounding National Schools recently came to Kilbarrack Fire Station to

be educated about Biodiversity, Wildlife, Nature and their role in preserving it. The children were given

packs to bring back to their Schools and they also received Bird boxes that were made by the Fire

Station’s Crew as well as seeds from our allotment and compost from our compost bay. I look forward to

the years ahead, as the Fire Stations new gardens mature and evolve into my original vision for them. I

hope they continue to bring joy to all those involved. Moreover I will look forward to this Biodiversity

Action Plan being used as a template for the other Fire Stations to follow as the Green Plan rolls out

across Dublin Fire Brigade.


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Acknowledgements

This Biodiversity Action Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station has

received help from many people and organizations. I would

like to acknowledge the following people for their

participation and commitment. Almost everyone involved

was working in the Fire Station at the time and gave their

free time to The Biodiversity Action Plan.

Kilbarrack Fire Station Crew, consisting of 4 Station Officers

and 36 Fire Crew. The Fire Crews gave up so much of their

time voluntarily and are Stakeholders in the Stations Future.

The Dublin Fire Brigade Retired Members Association and in

particular Paul Hand, Tony McCann and Damien Fynes for

their unending support and assistance.

Paul Keane, who gave so much of his free time and swapped

many shifts just to be on hand as much as he could. Paul

brought skill and experience to the project.

Dublin City Council Parks Department, in particular: Mick

Molloy and Brendan Collins of St Anne’s Park; Dave Twomy of

Fairview Park and John Redmond of Edenmore depot. The

Parks Department helped out in so many ways and helped

make the Launch day Green Plan 2010 one to remember. Dublin City Council Staff in particular Caroline

Timmons and Mary McSweeney. The Girls grew all the vegetables for our allotment from seed for free

and then came out and planted them as well. They also gave guide lines on how to rotate crops and plant

wild flowers.

Dublin City Council Joinery Department: in particular Pat McGrory, Gavin and Chris for their hands on

assistance and skill, especially because they live on the other side of the City yet still stayed back late so

often just to help out.

Eamon Henderson from Progarden Landscaping Ltd. Eamon has also signed up to delivering wood

chippings to Kilbarrack Fire Station every three months free of charge. These chippings are a vital part of

the maintenance of our gardens. Delite Energy Solutions for their very kind donation and installation of

Energy efficient LED lighting equipment.

A very special word of thanks goes to Mr. Phillip O’ Neill, who sculptured our magnificent

Commemorative Garden monument. Although originally commissioned to create the sculpture for the

Fire Station, Mr. O Neill decided to present his sculpture at no cost, to the Fire Brigade of Dublin as a

gesture of thanks for the service that we provide.

The wild flower bed at the base of the Tower in KFS

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Green Plan Vision Statement

In the changing future Dublin Fire Brigade will be world leaders of

sustainability, recognised for their championing of energy and water

consumption reduction, waste prevention, biodiversity protection and

impacts on society. Dublin Fire Brigade will be the exemplar, running its

fleet of emergency vehicles sustainably and will insist on Green

Procurement for the services it provides.

Summary

This Biodiversity Action Plan came into focus when it was first highlighted by Neil McCabe in the Green

Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station back in 2008. Kilbarrack Fire Station is forty years old and the building

fabric, envelope and surrounding Fire Brigade owned land were all in need of an upgrade and in some

cases, remodelling.

A lot of research has gone into making this Biodiversity Action Plan and before I could take on

Biodiversity projects, actions and plans for the Fire Station, I had to look outside the box at the

surrounding community. A holistic approach that affects the area of Kilbarrack Fire Station rather then

just the Station was top of the terms of reference.

I carried out extensive baseline studies that at the time seemed quite time consuming. This was a

lengthily process and although almost no consultation took place, a lot of information was gathered. In

most cases the work undertaken has been from scratch. Waste land and former dumping areas within the

Stations grounds were overhauled and transformed into the beautiful gardens that they are today.

Retrofitting of new technologies to the Station has benefit this Plan greatly such as the waste water

treatment works and the compost bay that includes a Wormery. There were however Native Irish trees

over thirty years old in situ. These trees formed the core of this Plan. This Plan is simple in the sense that

where available and as much as is possible we have tried to keep all things Native to both Dublin and

then to Ireland.

It is always easy to set targets and indicators or to make proclamations, but the real success of this Plan is

the contribution from the Stations Crew. They have made it possible. I have asked the Stations Crew to

take on some projects that have consumed a considerable amount of man hours at no cost to Dublin Fire

Brigade or Dublin City Council. However to date there is still work to be done and the actions listed in this

Plan have given clear directions to follow. We are to monitor and review these projects over the next five

years and it will be very interesting to see how the Station can impact on the local surrounding

community.

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The Aims of this Biodiversity Action Plan

To take actions to implement change such as the creation of eco

systems on site and to ensure that the changes last and are

monitored, as much as possible. To take a holistic approach that will

affect the Fire Station and the surrounding community. To convert

four areas of Station waste land into four Gardens that will support

wildlife and contribute to the Fire Stations Crew’s wellbeing.

The Four Watches, Kilbarrack Fire Station.

A Watch B Watch

C Watch D Watch

The new Commemorative Garden in KFS

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Introduction

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth. It is crucial for the functioning of ecosystems which provide

us with products and services without which we couldn’t live. Oxygen, food, fresh water, fertile soil,

medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, stable climate and recreation - all have their

source in nature and healthy ecosystems. But biodiversity gives us much more than this. We depend on it

for our security and health; it strongly affects our social relations and gives us freedom and choice.

The importance of Biodiversity

“We can no longer see the continued loss of biodiversity as an issue separate from the core concerns of

society: to tackle poverty, to improve the health, prosperity and security of present and future

generations, and to deal with climate change. Each of those objectives is undermined by current trends in

the state of our ecosystems, and each will be greatly strengthened if we finally give biodiversity the

priority it deserves.”

Convention on Biological Diversity's 'Global Biodiversity Outlook 3' report

The importance of Biodiversity in Kilbarrack Fire Station

In KFS we have the chance to take actions that will lead to

making actual changes to the area of the Fire Station and

the Surrounding community. By growing our own

vegetables we are reducing food miles and Carbon

Emissions associated with food miles. The health benefits

to the Fire Stations Crew are not just to do with a change in

diet but also a change in mindset. Developing ecosystems

in the Station shows how easily we can all do our bit to help

Nature. Witnessing first hand insects and wildlife

flourishing where once there was only waste land has a

knock on effect on the Crew and keeps motivation high. In

the immediate surrounding area, KFS is neighboured by: Fr

Collins Park, the embankment at the Santry River, Clontarf

and Sutton coastal corridor and Bull Island. As a

contribution to the already existing surrounding areas

mentioned, KFS can lead the way in bringing Biodiversity at a very local level to our own surrounding

community. This has and will continue to be demonstrated by the engagement and new links with local

schools and youth groups that now visit KFS to learn about Biodiversity and Nature. Kilbarrack has a

population of almost 5,000 citizens and has a land area of 70,273 km2.

View of Kilbarrack Fire Station

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Picture of North Bull Island and the surrounding Districts of Raheny Kilbarrack and Clontarf.

Areas of waste land identified

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Previously the land pictured overleaf had been a waste land for over three decades. Historically,

Kilbarrack Fire Station was the original Training Grounds for Dublin Fire Brigades Recruit Fire Fighters.

Once the new Fire Fighter Training Centre was established in the O Brien Institute, in Marino, the land fell

into disuse and eventually became an unofficial dumping ground.

Vehicles that had reached the end of their working lives usually ended up here. The vehicles would be

Dublin City Council and Dublin Fire Brigade Vehicles and the intention was to leave the vehicles there

until they were ready to be disposed of. The Parks department also kept vehicles there too. Over time

this area became unsightly and after thirty years of being used in this way, things had gotten out of

control. Some vehicles had been lying here for a very long time. Refuse and general waste had begun to

build up significantly. There were however several species of Native Irish Trees that had been planted

over forty years previously.

The pictures over leaf show these areas of land after we first gave them a general tidy. This took several

weeks in its self to do. The first clean up was to view the area as a blank canvas to see if it was feasible to

create a Biodiversity Plan at all. It was clear immediately that the trees were indeed specimens and that

the whole area could be vastly developed as an ecological site. This spirited the Biodiversity Action Plan

to come into being and all the research and development that followed was because of this.

The allotment under construction KFS

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The Making of this Biodiversity Action Plan

There is a total of 40 full time Fire Crew working in Kilbarrack Fire Station. This comprises 36 Fire Fighters

and Four Station Officers. During the retro-fit

and implementation of the Green Plan, the

different watches were assigned different

tasks. One major task was to survey, report

and construct the four new gardens that are

in the Fire Station.

There had been a lot of staff interest in this

project when it was originally proposed. D

Watch volunteered to be the Guardian

Watch for the up keep of the Biodiversity

Action Plan after its launch.

A key driver to the success of the over all project is the buy- in from the Retired Members of Dublin Fire

Brigade. The Retired Members have worked side by side with the serving Fire Crew. This has brought

about a shift in thinking within the organisation. Respected former members of the Fire Brigade now

maintain our new gardens. They have regularly been arriving to the Fire Station with shovels and various

gardening tools, all intent on a days work in our gardens. The whole project has been a joy with the

added benefit of all the banter and stories being shared between the retired members and the serving

crew. All projects have been intended to showcase the harmony between biodiversity, humans and

technology. The recreational garden is a testament to this.

Plans listed in the appendix and all labour has been completed by the Fire Crew physically working in the

Fire Station. In some cases specialist help was required. Most of the finance to build the four gardens

came from sponsorship to the Biodiversity Action Plan. For more then a year I was regularly giving

presentations and talks about the benefit that Biodiversity Projects would bring to the district of

Kilbarrack, not just the Fire Station. This had eventually paid off and when finance became available the

project changed from surveys, reports and studies to actual actions. In most Biodiversity Action Plans,

some species of wildlife have been prioritised for conservation within the City, County, Town or general

District that they are written for. In Kilbarrack Fire Station we have not been able to look at and provide

conservation measures for all species of wildlife.

This is due to feasibility and the lack of space. This Biodiversity Action Plan was written and planned to be

used as an example of what can be done at local level and how quickly small replicable actions can impart

large results. It has been hoped that Kilbarrack Fire Station should be a Hub for Sustainability locally by

using actual actions that can be followed by our community. Community refers to the crew members of

the entire Dublin Fire Brigade, including retired members and the surrounding external community for

whom we provide a service.

The Commemorative Garden under construction

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Guidelines:

Countdown 2010 is an independent initiative to support Biodiversity Actions and was endorsed by the

European Union in May 2003. One main aim of this was to demonstrate clearly what commitments and

progress has been made by member states to halt habitat loss and biodiversity challenges. This being the

international year of Biodiversity, it is only fitting that the main body of this Plan is showing completed

actual actions that are measurable

Framework:

In keeping with the framework for the actual Green Plan for Dublin Fire Brigade, whereby the emphasis is

on a Holistic approach to genuine sustainability, the framework of this report follows the same rules. That

is to place Behavioural Change at the forefront of the Plan. The work is to be planned and actuated will

be undertaken as follows:

Phase (I)

Phase (II)

Achievements

Phase (III)

I have also applied the headings of the SEAI Energy MAP model to this Biodiversity Action Plan. They are

as follows:

Identify

Commit

Plan

Take action

Review

The SEAI Energy MAP is obviously an energy reduction focused plan. I feel that both the Green Plan and

the Energy Map compliment each other as the governance of this Biodiversity Action Plan.

Species:

We have listed the following as being the most feasible for our local environment and community.

All species of bird resident to the Fire Station.

1. Bats

2. Frogs

3. Bees

4. Butterflies

5. Invertebrate groups

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Existing Tree species inside the grounds of KFS

Species Nr Age

Sycamore 12 25 years

Ash 3 36 years

Horse chestnut 1 34 years

Existing tree species in KFS front garden

Species Nr Age

Horse chestnut 12 34 years

Sponsorship and supply:

So far the biggest sponsorship to the Biodiversity Action Plan has been the time and commitment that all

those involved have put in. To Date we have received €15,000 from LANPAG, National Partnership and

€800 from the DFB Retired Members. We have also received four year old manure coming from North

County Dublin and New manure coming from Dublin Zoo, Rhino and Elephant enclosures. We are soon to

receive over 1,000 spring Tulip and Daffodil bulbs from DCC Parks Department.

Woodland Garden under construction KFS

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Wild garden concept:

We have planted biennials that will re-seed themselves and we will be harvesting

the seeds ourselves and planting them in our glass house. We have planted a

drift of wild flower seeds across our Commemorative Garden lawn. It is hoped

that as the seeds turn into a small mini meadow that the flowers will attract all

kinds of insects especially butterflies.

We have also planted a lot of lavender against the perimeter wall of the Fire Station. This Lavender is

directly beside the fermenting wood chippings and apart from the pleasant smell it also attracts insects.

We regularly place decaying logs / rotting tree cuttings in amongst these plants to mimic what wood

happen in a woodland environment when trees fall down. Although this is obviously on a much smaller

scale the out come is still the same. We have planted Campanulas, Clover, Comfrey, Cotoneaster,

Heather, lungwort, sweet Woodruff, Thyme and Geraniums.

Woodland garden:

At the east facing side of the Fire Station we have created a woodland garden. This garden was also

formerly a waste ground that had fallen into an unkempt state. This was equally due to three reasons:

1) The whole area is east facing

2) The change of Fire Station Crew over the years

3) The Fire Station responses to emergencies.

The woodland garden is 144m2 in size. There are a total of five native Sycamore Trees, all over thirty

years in age and a single Sycamore Tree that, is not native and over twenty years old.

The first and most important job was to tidy up this old piece of land and establish what was worth saving

and what its potential was. This took the most amounts of time and very big commitment from the

Stations Crew. The whole area was bizarrely covered in broken glass and debris. This glass was several

inches deep into the soil. After a large effort to remove this glass it eventually became obvious that

getting a tractor and an excavator were the only way to deal with the problem. Luckily a Station Officer

from a different Fire Station in our district came forward and volunteered his tractor and plough. Because

the land was to be converted to a woodland garden it was important that as much glass and debris could

be removed as was possible. We then started to heavily prune and cut back the clippings and branches

from the Sycamore Trees. The cuttings and clippings were not discarded. They were kept back for our eco

system and to later be shredded. Finally when the land was ploughed and excavated we started to lay the

first of the home made eco system habitats. This involved several hundred meters of cardboard tubes

between two and four inches in diameter. The tubes lay horizontally and on top of the tubes we placed

most of the wooden branches that we had initially pruned from the existing sycamore trees.

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Then on top of the clippings we placed a layer of wood chippings delivered from our local tree surgeon.

This entire eco system habitat was placed parallel with the perimeter wall of the garden.

We then dug out holes and planted four species of native Irish Fern. All the Fern is planted in mixes of

species with different shapes and sizes. Below all of this is the Wormery. We actually have two types of

Wormery. The first one is an old soil pipe that was removed during the Fire Stations Retro-Fit. This pipe

has been lined up with the Compost bay and has a lid. When the liquids produced by one of the

Compostors are ready to be sent to the Wormery, we simply open the lid and poor the liquids in. The

other Wormery is a network of chambers that we planted using Percolating media. The chambers

junction at a point below our other composter.

This composter is actually filled with the organic matter from our Stations Kitchen. 100% of all organic

matter is collected and sent directly to our composters. In fact we have recently received a Brown Bin

that gets collected each week from the Station. This is due to the time and effort that the Fire Stations

Crew put into recycling and maintaining our Biodiversity Action Plan.

Another feature of our woodland garden is that we have installed five wooden poles into the ground. The

poles stand erect, they are 100mm in diameter and have over two hundred holes drilled into them

circumferentially. All work was carried out by the Stations Crew. We also have bird houses and a bat

roost. One defining feature of this garden is that the east facing side of the Fire Station is also the

location of the Stations Dormitories at ground level and the Stations Kitchen on the first floor. It is very

pleasant to open the windows and smell the fresh air that comes from all the Ferns and mulch.

Birds:

We have built a bird table a bird station and bird boxes. This was all built using left over wood from the

retro fit work that took place in the station. We regularly buy wild bird mixed seeds and fat balls and we

also make our own from the left over fat in our kitchen.

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However some birds in the station seem to prefer to eat from the ground and for this reason we also

scatter seeds across the commemorative garden lawn. We regularly receive wood chip shredding. These

chippings are piled in a heap purposely and each month the wood is turned. This is particularly good

during the cold snap. As the wood chips are turned the birds start to converge on the compost.

Designated Composting area:

We have constructed a (size here) composting bay underneath one of our sycamore trees. This is

adjacent to our Thermodynamic Solar Collectors that we have installed. They use wind and rain to create

hot water for the Fire Station. The sycamore tree gives a natural camouflage to the area and the bay is

kept clean and tidy because of its simple to maintain construction. It sits upon a bed of poured Green

Cement that is made from recycled building materials.

Included in the Bay are:

Two chamber Pig composter

Tumble chamber composter

Nr two x dedicated composters bedded in the ground

Nr two x wormeries

A separate wheelie bin for holding recycled wooden nuggets used in the Pig compostor

A brown wheelie bin for excess organic waste

Wormery:

There are two types of Wormery. The first one is an old soil pipe that was removed during the Fire

Stations Retro-Fit. This pipe has been lined up with the compost bay and has a lid. When the liquids

produced by one of the composters are ready to be sent to the Wormery, we simply open the lid and

poor the liquids in. The other Wormery is a network of chambers that we planted using Percolating media

and gun barrel piping. These chambers junction at a point below our other composter. This composter is

actually filled with the organic matter from our Stations Kitchen. 100% of all organic matter is collected

and sent directly to our composters.

We have recently received a Brown Bin that is collected each week from the Station. This is due to the

time and effort that the Fire Stations Crew put into recycling and maintaining our Biodiversity Action

Plan. This bin is an add- on to the Stations compost bay. So far we have reduced Fire Station domestic

waste by a total of 50% since the beginning of the Green Plan. We are aiming to achieve 60% by 2011.

This ambitious target is a direct out come of the Fire Crews Behavioural Change and shift in thinking

about the environmental impacts that we all have a shared responsibility for.

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Accepted organic waste list:

All organic matter from the Stations Kitchen including:

Vegetable peelings

Meat, poultry and fish

All left over cooked dinners

All uncooked raw meat

Fats and oils collected in the kitchens Grease traps

Tea bags and all tea station waste

Station practice for organic waste

As we fill the Composter with organic matter it can become very wet and produce an odour. To combat

this we have included wooden nuggets in to the mix. Wooden nuggets are regularly used to speed up the

composting process. The nuggets are generously donated to the Fire Station from Dublin City Councils

Joinery Department. The nuggets are the shredded remains of left over timber from the Joinery

Workshop. The timer is re used to make these nuggets and is a very good example of waste recovery in

the work place. Formerly this waste wood would have been sent to landfill.

We also use a Composter that we intentionally let fill with composting fluids. This Composter is tumbled

as well. However the fluids are then drained off and poured directly into our Wormery entrance.

Grass cutting

The Fire stations crew all pitched in together to buy our first lawnmower. This lawn mower cuts the grass

and has an added feature of finely cutting the grass so that it can be directly pushed back into the soil

underneath as a natural Composter. This also removes fully the need to go with grass cuttings to the

brown bin in situ. With the garden being almost a third of an acre, this would have become a hindrance

because while the Fire Stations Crew are cutting the grass they are also on call. The cut grass acting as a

natural fertiliser has accelerated the speed that the grass is growing and has produced a very nice

coloured grass.

Construction of the Recycling and Composting Bay

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Chippings

We have entered into a partnership with two local tree surgeons. Quarterly they deliver free of charge a

ten tonne mix of shredded wood chippings to the Fire Station. These chippings are put to use in a variety

of ways. Mainly they are used in the commemorative garden and the woodland garden. We regularly

spread the chippings all around the perimeter borders. As the wood rots it creates a lot of heat. During

the autumn and winter months we use a blower to blow all the leaves off the new lawn in the

commemorative garden and onto the perimeter border. The leaves are acidic as the rot, however the

chippings are not. This causes a fine balance in the soil, reflected in the very healthy plant growth. Below

all the newly forming compost, are the original eco system chambers that we have installed. The

chippings are also put to use in the compost bay. There we purposely leave piles of compost from

chippings, to heat up, then every month we turn the compost and this attracts quite a number of

inquisitive birds.

Wood chippings used in KFS

Weed killer and pests:

Ivy had been a nuisance and problem for us. It had been growing wild for a long time and was covering all

the perimeter walls and most of the trees were almost unrecognisable as result. We physically cut down

and removed and shredded all the ivy. We actually took down the equivalent of a large skip. (VOLUME

HERE) All the ivy plus the wood that had been removed during the garden tidy was shredded and re used

in our woodland garden. We have surrounded a lot of the tree bases with willow screening. Apart from

this being a nice looking feature it actually serves the purpose of creating mini insect habitats.

Around the vegetable allotment we have planted Marigolds and garlic to ward of insects such as Carrot

fly and in one designated area we have planted a large nasturtium bed so that caterpillar’s will be

attracted to this area specifically and not go to the vegetables. This bed is in full sun.

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On the allotment we have used recycled CDs and DVDs as a deterrent for the Birds from the crops. After a

while the birds seemed to get used to the CDs in situ and we then changed over to using recycled video

cassette tape as a deterrent instead. Another deterrent for birds was the recycling of 3 x litre fizzy drink

bottles. We cut theses bottles and placed them over the new seeds in the allotment until they became

established.

Recycling materials:

During the retro fit of the Fire Station to receive the Green Plan, a lot of what would normally be deemed

as waste was, re used in a different manner. We actually recycled a total of eight tons of steel and only

sent three medium sized skips to landfill. Please read below for a small demonstration of some of the

projects and uses for recycled materials.

Modern art:

In the Fire Stations Boiler House we had removed the old 68% inefficient non condensing boiler with, Nr 2

98% efficient, new gas condensing boilers. The original boiler was large and had been constructed back in

1986 using cast iron elements. There were 14 of these elements and each one weighed over ten stone.

Rather then letting the elements go to scrap or worse go to land fill, I decided to have them removed

from the basement to the newly built recreational garden. This was a massive undertaking. After a lot of

very careful planning, the elements were lifted to the garden and welded together in a curved modular

formation. They adjoin the newly built decking area and are currently covered in rust. This is a very

attractive feature and they are certainly the focal point of the garden.

Old Boiler Elements in Recreational Garden

22

All of the work was undertaken and completed entirely by the Stations Crew at no cost to DFB.

Unfortunately there is no budget at the moment to do any more work on the elements. However the

intention is to have the elements media blasted and the painted Signal Red. This is the same colour as

Dublin Fire Brigades Fire Appliances. We will then fit the elements with blue LED low wattage lighting.

The lighting will be powered by a Photo Voltaic Cell and the whole system will cost nothing to run.

Sorbis Plant Pots

When the old cylinder in the boiler house below the Fire Station was being replaced, Station Officer Paul

Hendrikon suggested a use for it. The cylinder formally stored 1000 litres of hot water every day. The

cylinder is 000000. Paul suggested that the cylinder be cut into three sections. Two of the sections would

make large pots that we could plant our new Sorbis trees in and the mid section would be used to

surround the new monument base in the Commemorative garden.

Although this sounded like a good idea, there was still the issue of removing, without damaging, the

cylinder from the basement and then the actual

cutting of it. Paul volunteered to do all this work

and began designing a wavy pattern for the plant

pot edge. This involved the use of Air tools. The

pots now mark the entrance to the

commemorative garden. They have been planted

with Native Sorbis Trees in each. Between the pots

we have constructed an arch. This arch was given

to us from DCC Fairview Park Dept. The arch was

due to go to land fill. Once the Retired Fire Brigade

members had cleaned up and restored the arch, it

was then placed in the pots.

Cactus planters

All of the crew of D Watch, decided to make nr 3 x planters to

stand at the base of each pier at the engine bay. They chose to

use the left over wood from the Green Plan Retro fit work that

was happening in the Station. The wood they used had originally

been used to frame the commemorative garden pathway and to

build the Bike Shed. The D watch Crew then on their own time,

with their own money, bought almost €150 worth of Cacti Plants

and €40 worth of environmentally friendly wood preserver. They

came in to work after working the night shift the previous night

and started working on the planters.

The Old Cylinder

Cactus Planters KFS

23

DCC Planters

I had been in regular contact with Brendan in the DCC parks Dept. Apart from giving the Station a lend of

Forks, Spades, Shovels and Hoes, Brendan also provided us with four large planters for the front of the

Fire Station and two more for the stations drill yard. Unfortunately this was on a temporary basis and we

used the planters for the Launch Day of the Green Plan. After the launch day Brendan had located two

more planters that we could keep. These planters had been vandalised in St Anne’s Park and were in

need of serious repair. After a lot of commitment and work from the retired members, myself and most

of the Stations Crew we were sadly not able to refurbish the planters. The idea was to extend our

allotment using these large planters to grow potatoes in. The planters had started to turn into a money

pit but, it was nice to see such an effort being made by all involved.

Bat boxes and Bird boxes

During the retro fit to the Station, there were

many times when sheets of timber had been

used and were now no longer of use by either

the builders and contractors or the Stations

Crew. This wood was stored in one of the

Stations out buildings for over a one year

period. The different types of wood was

organised into groups and ideas were formed. D

Watch decided that they would build the large

artificial Bat Roost out of this timber. They

would also make smaller scale artificial Bat Roosts and Bird boxes as well.

We have a total of twelve bird boxes around the

Stations grounds and have one Large Bat Roost

and eight small Bat Roosts. During the first

Biodiversity Action Day, we gave out nine Bat Roosts and nine Bird Boxes to the local Schools that

attended. The Retired Members and the Stations Crew volunteered to make these units.

Bram Stoker Porch

With out doubt this had been the individual most prized successful project of all the different sets of

people coming together. I had first seen the Bram Stoker Porch when it was on display in Fairview Park

several years ago. It was a pleasant site in the Park. Despite all best intentions by Dublin City Council, the

Porch had been vandalized on more then one occasion.

I couldn’t believe my luck when I noticed one day in September 2010 that the porch was now in a rubbish

pile and ready to go to landfill. Bram Stoker had been a local Hero to the area of Fairview and Clontarf. He

is also a celebrated Dublin Author. This piece of Dublin History had to be worth saving.

Bird Feeder KFS

24

After petitioning for permission from Senior DCC Parks Dept, I finally secured the Porches removal from

the rubbish pile. David Toomey from Fairview Park Dept brought the Porch to Kilbarrack Fire Station in a

Flat bed truck on his own time after work.

Once I got the Porch to Kilbarrack I immediately showed it to Paul Hand from DFB Retired Members

association and to Pat McGrory from DCC Joinery Department. Soon the scale of restoring the Porch

became clear and we knew it would be along hall project. Fortunately Brendan from DCC Parks dept,

found two other porch like structures that, looked a lot smaller yet similar to the Porch. They were

drastically in need of repair.

The remnants of the original Bram Stoker porch entrance with the class of school children from Holy Trinity National School. After this photo the porch was deconstructed and has undergone major restoration.

I decided that the best plan of action would be to join all the Porches together, with the Original Bram

Stoker Porch being in the centre and higher then the others. Pat McGrory placed the original vandalized

Porch on stilts and bolted them to the ground. This temporary arrangement was so that we could

establish the direction the porch project was going in. It also demonstrated potentially would the porch

would have formally looked like. Ahead of the Fire Stations first Biodiversity Action Day, it was important

that the porch was visible for the local children to enjoy. I was soon running out of funding to finish this

project and it was taking up a considerable amount of hours per week. We were trying to restore all the

original timbers to their former glory. Then the Retired Member of DFB stepped in at the eleventh hour

and donated a cheque to the project to the value of €800. We entered this much needed cash injection

into our cost centre immediately. At the same time Brendan McCabe from the Dublin City Council

Housing and Maintenance Department offered his services to help finish the project.

25

Fran Mac Donnell of DCC Joinery Dept took the remaining parts of the Porch away and stripped all the

wood that had been fire damaged. Piece by piece, Fran re- built all three porches. Finally he brought all

the parts to Kilbarrack Fire Station and assembled them there. The porch is now the official entrance to

the DFB Commemorative garden in Kilbarrack Fire Station.

The Pond and Water Fountain

Before the retro fit works to the Station, there was a former Oil Tank, housed inside a bund area at the

east side of the Station. This tank had been decommissioned twenty years earlier, yet it was still in situ

and was aesthetically displeasing. The tank had been used to provide oil to the old boiler below ground,

so that the boiler could in turn, make electricity. This was before the arrival of town gas to the Kilbarrack

and Donaghmede districts.

When I removed the old tank it became immediately clear that the bund area fabric was a ready built

pond. All we would have to do is fill the bund with soil and line it for use as a pond. To take things further

the intention is to fill the pond with treated rain water and stock the pond with fish. The treated water

will come directly from our below ground waste water works on site. We have already planted this bund

area with a Native Sorbis Tree and several species of shrub. The pond is adjacent to the recreational

garden and we are hoping on completion to have invertebrates inhabit the pond also.

The main feature of the pond will be the centre fountain. This fountain feature was originally the old

emersion from the Stations former hot water cylinder. Peter Lynch from D Watch has volunteered to

chop of the ends of the old emersion and coil and connect them to the water circuit mentioned above.

The fountain feature will have red LED lights trained on it against a yellow and orange back drop. This is

to give the idea of Fire inside the Fountain.

The Bram Stoker porch after it's refurbishment KFS

26

The Railway Bench

In 2009 an old railway bench was donated to Kilbarrack Fire Station by the Cagney O Regan family. Seán

Cagney is the Assistant Brigade Training Officer in the Fire Brigades Training Centre in Marino. Seán had

previously trained as a

recruit Fire Fighter in

Kilbarrack Fire Station when

it was the then Training

Centre. He has also been

stationed in Kilbarrack Fire

Station as a Station Officer.

The Bench had previously

been owned by Seáns

father in Law Mr. Eddie O

Regan. Eddie had

developed a fondness for

the particular platform

bench that had been

delivered to Raheny Railway Station from an unknown source back in the 1950s. Eddie had worked for

Irish Rail and used to have his lunch on this particular bench each day and after years of Eddie, asking the

Station Master for the bench, he finally got his wish in 1970. Back then the bench had reached the end of

its working life. Ironically Eddie was formerly a pupil of the OBI in Marino that is now the Fire Brigade

Training Centre where Seán is now stationed. Eddie knew a good thing when he seen it because the

bench was held pride of place in his family garden for the following thirty years. Finally in 2010 the Bench

gave up and was in need of total repair. Sadly Eddie also passed away in April 2010.

The Retired Members of DFB lead by Paul Hand started to strip back the years of paint on this bench and

began restoring it. After a very long time the original legs and wood of the bench revealed an interesting

story. It showed that the bench had been constructed in 1909 as a bench for the LMS railway service in

Northern Ireland. More ironically Eddie worked for the LMS railway service in Belfast and had actually

used that bench for years with out his knowledge before it was re painted and sent to Dublin. Since the

Bench has been restored to its former glory it has been used on many occasions including: a visit from the

patients of St Luke’s Hospice in Raheny.

Also during the Biodiversity Action day, many of the children who came to the Station would have sat on

the bench while being thought about Biodiversity, Wildlife and Nature. We are very grateful to the

Cagney O’ Regan Family for the Bench and its wonderful history.

F/F Neil McCabe and A/T/O Seán Cagney on the famous bench KFS

27

Glass house

I have sourced Bricks, blocks and glazed units that were all due to go to landfill or were lying in different

DCC depots and yards. Work has begun but is, not finished on the construction of a small glass house. The

intention is to use the glass house for seeds and planting. It is envisaged that the Retired Members will

come to the Station and grow from cultivated seeds, our vegetables and different plant species that we

have nurtured over the last two years. The bricks used will complement the bricks of the Fire Station and

will be heated naturally by the sun. This will be as a Solar gain due to the glasshouses location and the

colour of the bricks.

Wormeries

The materials used in making the wormeries were simply old pipes left behind from the retro fit work. In

some case they are intertwined and in all cases they enter the open ground. The left over pipe work had

been used while installing the new Gas Condensing Boilers. We used waste pipes, waste water

percolating media and large gun barrel piping. Although the intention is for no one to ever have a reason

to see these chambers, except for at the mouth of the pipe work: it is important that they are actually

functioning well and so far we have had no problems.

Local Technical Collage

These students will be coming to Kilbarrack Fire Station to see the genuine sustainable actions that have

taken place. They will document the works to date and will carry out regular tests and checks. As the

students complete their modules, they will be invited to document the different projects and write

reports about Biodiversity in Kilbarrack Fire Station and surrounding community. Colaiste Dhulaigh in

Coolock Dublin 5 is now the first Colaiste to sign up to this project and we are excited as to the potential

results of their work. Apart for creating an index and species list for the Fire Station, the yearly surveys

that the students will generate, will also feed into the five year Biodiversity Action Plan review.

Hydroponics

A feasibility study is currently underway to access the possibility of building a Hydroponic unit inside the

Fire Station. If this proves to be the case, we would connect to the grey water treatment works below the

Station. Then this water would feed to a holding tank, also below ground. The water would be pumped

using Hydra Air Piping to a chamber on the Stations first floor. This chamber would resemble a trough

and would be forty meters in length by .4 metres in width. Inside the chamber will be filled with gravel

and internal pumps. At the end of the trough will be another set of pipes that will bring the water back to

the secondary holding tank where the water will then be delivered to the Fire Stations main Rain Water

Holding tank. This is the tank we use to put out local Fires.

The chambers will be planted with at least forty Boston Ferns, an evergreen plant. The ferns will have no

access to soil and the pumped water will pass through the trough delivering the minerals that the Plants

require to grow. The ferns will take in

28

Allotment:

We have constructed an allotment for growing vegetables. We intend to grow and eat these seasonal

vegetables. There is a full Crew of forty in the Station. The allotment is not very large and is only 60m2.

Initially we have been monitoring this allotment with regards to extending it if needs be. So far we have

grown two harvests of vegetables. We have also grown a selection of vegetables to seed, so that we can

regularly replenish our stock. The allotments design came from the idea that the area should be enjoyed

as part of our Commemorative garden. If Fire Fighters are to visit the Commemorative garden, they can

see the vegetables and fruit growing. They may also see or take part in the allotment maintenance

programmes.

Station Officer Paul Hendricken and Fire Fighter Brian Gilbert of A Watch volunteered to construct the

allotment. This involved careful planning. It was important to get the mix and size right, so as not to be

too intrusive into the Commemorative Garden.

S/O Paul Hendricken organised Computer Aided Design drawings of the former wasteland. Eventually we

settled on the appropriate size of 60m2.

Allotment layout KFS

29

Our Growers

We have been very fortunate to have the expert assistance form Caroline Timmons, DFB IT Section and

Mary Mc Sweeney DCC Partnership Liaison Officer. They have been involved in the allotment from

inception and have not just coached and guided the Stations Crew along the way but they have also

propagated all the vegetable seeds for use in the allotment too. This involved many different varieties of

vegetables and included a crop rotation system. Mary has drawn up a crop rotation guideline document

that is permanently on display in the Fire Station. This is included in the appendix. We are very grateful

for the time and continued effort that Caroline and Mary volunteer to the allotment. Since the allotment

has been installed we have produced two harvests. Predominantly Carrots, Cauliflower, Beetroot and

Cabbage have been the main success. We have also grown various types of lettuce on a continual basis

such as: Rocket, Pok Choy, Radicchio and Kos. Other crops include: Turnips, Sweet Pea, Rhubarb, Parsnips

and Courgettes.

Plans to extend

At no stage in the allotment have we grown Potatoes. Most of the crew have expressed an interest in this

and it is envisaged that towards the end of Phase II of this Biodiversity Action Plan that we will extend the

allotment then.

Herb garden

We have included a herb garden in the allotment. Although most herbs would not run the corse of

winter, this small garden includes parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, mint, dill, and other herbs. In most

cases we are cutting back the excess growth and using it in our composter. The cycle will be complete

when the new compost from the herbs is used as compost on the herb garden itself. We also have a bed

in the middle of the allotment that we grow green manure in.

Allotment under construction KFS Allotment after first planting KFS

30

This green manure is a mixture of rapid growing foliage mix that is used

with the excess herbs and sent to our composter for use on the allotment.

We also have a small fruit allotment. This includes: Strawberries,

Raspberries Gooseberries and Black Berries. At one particular time we

actually harvested over 400 Strawberries in one go. The Strawberries have

continued to yield fruit.

Recreational garden

We have built a beautiful decking area in our Recreational

Garden. This includes a raised decking area built on top of a newly

constructed wall. The design of the decking is an elliptical shape,

framed by the gable wall of the Fire Station. At the top of the

decking are the old elements of the Original Gas Boiler mentioned

above, as our take on Modern Art. They have completed the look

of the garden and form the backdrop to produce the number 6 as

a symbol of the Fire Station. Kilbarrack Fire Station is officially

named No.6 Fire Station, within Dublin Fire Brigade. Strategically, the new recreational garden is at the

Junction of Woodland garden. This is because as part of this Biodiversity Action Plan, the person is the

fundamental unit that the biodiversity is built around. We are all dependant on each other and for that

reason the two gardens bring together: Humans, Technology, Innovation and biodiversity all in one

location.

The recreational gardens main innovative features include:

Solar Thermodynamic Collectors

Rain Water Harvesting for the Fire Appliance Waste water treatment works

The newly constructed Gable Wall Solar Gain Window project

The injection moulding of the Cavity in the gable wall as insulation

The Urban Wind Turbines being tested here

The woodland garden with all its below ground eco systems

The former bund area now under construction as a

water feature area

The composting bay

The purpose built insect habitats

Recreational decking under construction

Completed Recreational garden decking

31

Commemorative Garden

In September 2010 Chief Fire Officer Hugh O Neill opened our Commemorative Garden. We also had

members of the local Clergy from different faiths bless our garden. The guests in attendance took part in

the blessing and Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band played a lament and later on some beautiful Pipe music.

We are very proud of the commitment and effort that went into creating this garden. The garden has had

the complete buy in of the Station Crew and the Retired Fire Fighters of all Stations in Dublin Fire Brigade.

The commemorative garden is now the First Garden in the 150 year history of Dublin Fire Brigade for

Members Past and Present. It is an area of reflection and family members of those involved are welcome

to visit the garden and reflect on those members lost. The Commemorative garden is flanked by our

allotment garden to its north and our hand ball alley to its south. The DFB Retired Members have been

involved in every part of this project from the very beginning. They have shown a wealth of experience

and have been arriving in groups several times per week to help the serving Crew with the landscaping

and manual work. The Retired members have been invaluable to Kilbarrack Fire Station’s Biodiversity

Action Plan. This includes facilitating Station visits from local National schools and terminally ill patients

from our Local Hospice.

At the north east corner of the garden we have erected our Commemorative Monument. The Monument

is a symbol of Dublin Fire Brigade and our very strong links with our surrounding communities. Initially

the concept of transforming the waste land into the beautiful garden that it is today seemed almost too

daunting. As mentioned above, we first had to clear the entire area of over forty years worth of debris

and vehicles that had been placed there when they had reached the end of their working lives.

All four Watches of Kilbarrack Fire Station were involved in this project and even with that many hands

on deck, we still needed more help.

The Oak Tree preparation work gets underway

32

The retired members were invaluable because they gave so much of their time. We also drafted in more

serving Crew members from other Fire Stations. This joint effort took several months to complete. We

had to contour the land and we planted our very own Oak Tree in the centre of the grass land. This

specimen Oak Tree is a symbol of the Fire Stations sustainable plans

for its future. The tree was planted by D watch and at the final stages

two classes of children from a local National School visited the Station

to help F/F Stephen O Donnell to finish the job.

Stephen O Donnell was our longest serving Fire Fighter in Kilbarrack

Fire Station and he had worked there since in joined Dublin Fire

Brigade some thirty years previous until the present day. The whole

Fire Station enjoyed the idea that Stephen planted the tree with the

school children and that we are establishing Green Roots with the next

generation from our community.

Commemorative Monument

The Basic Concept of the Commemorative Monument involves the use

of a strong Aberdeen red granite, symbolising thet the Fire Service is an important pillar,ensuring the

safety of our Society. All members past and present are celebrated with this monument. Around the

Monument is a hand carved banner that features the following text: Members Commemorative Garden :

Dublin Fire Brigade : Fire Station No 6. The text reads from the top to the bottom and encircles the

column, giving rise to an interesting interation as the reader finds it necessary to walk around the column

to read the message. The column also featurea stylised Olive Tree branches and birds; symbols of peace

and harmony. At the foot of the column is a based of Irish Limestone. This is in the form of a coiled hose

with the nozzle of the Branch pointing upward, empting off the last of an active event. Beside this is the

original Dubllin Fire Brigade helmet and gloves of a typical DFB Fire fighter. Our Fire Brigades Shield

incorpoating our Bay Laurel emblem is listing to the coiled hose.

Rough Sketch of the Commemorative Monument by Sculptor Phil O Neill

Paul Hand Snr and Jnr receive instructions from Sculptor Phil O Neill

F/F Stephen Mac Donald planting the Oak Tree in KFS

33

The Commemorative Monument Arrives

The Base gets positioned The Column gets positioned

In safe Hands, Paul Hand Snr, places the Limestone Helmet into position

DFB Laurel Leaf Shield

DFB serving Crew, Retired members and Sculptor Phil O Neill erecting the Commemorative Monument

The Commemorative Monument KFS

34

Bees the great Pollinators

Bees are the “keystone organisms” in most terrestrial ecosystems. Bees are essential for maintaining the

integrity, productivity and sustainability of many types of ecosystems including: fields, meadows and

gardens. There is a worldwide crisis in the dwindling numbers of bee abundance and species diversity.

We have been in consultation with the Bee Keeping Association of Ireland and have installed two working

Bee Hives in the Fire Station. Two of the Crew members form D Watch, are undergoing National

Qualification training in Bee Keeping. So far we have two fully trained Bee Keepers working the hives in

Kilbarrack. They are Finbar Lambert from Swords Fire Station and Kevin Fogerty from Tara Street Fire

Station. Both Bee keepers have been mentored by Keith Pierce a Bee Master also from Dublin Fire

Brigade.

We have purposely planted flowers and shrubs that are intended to aid

the Bees in their search for pollen and nectar. However the intention is to

gather results from our bee keeping and to examine the feasibility of a

bee hive for every Fire Station grounds.

Initially there was the perception that if the Bee Hives were placed in the

Commemorative Garden that we would no longer be able to avail of the Garden due to bee stings. This is

absolutely not the case. The Bees have been placed out of the direct path way of the Stations Crew. Bees

have linear flight and have flight pathways in one direction and in this application they have been placed

at the rear perimeter wall of the Fire Station. They won’t be bothering the crew of the Station or people

in the garden for propagation and sowing in our glass house or allotment. Bees only sting as a defensive

action against intruders. We have also built an observation area where children and adults can look at the

bees entering and exiting the hive without being stung.

The Green Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station has identified Biodiversity as one of its core values by naming

Biodiversity as one of the Seven Themes for genuine Sustainability. The work carried out on the Station

has almost entirely been retro fit work. This shows our emphasis on preserving what we have and taking

corrective actions to lower our Energy and Water consumption. Likewise we are high lighting that if we

can create a beautiful commemorative Garden it is also very important to include Bees and insects in the

Landscape and design. The below ground eco systems don’t actually get seen. The Bee hives are

functional but also attractive. The bird boxes and bat roost are also not too visible. The floral meadow

that we have planted is easy to maintain and looks good yet it has been used by the butterflies that have

visited the Station. By planting Nasturtiums we have been able to isolate all our caterpillars in one

location and we have not needed aphid control or weedkiller at any stage.

A vertical wall vegetation planting project is the last major project commencing ahead of our five year

review. This wall is an ambitious one, involving serious commitment from the Stations Crew. Our

intention is that this wall at the rear of our hand ball alley and directly in the Commemorative Garden will

provide both, a beautiful back drop to our garden and be rich in food for our birds and insects.

35


Our Biodiversity Action Plan Phase (I) (II) & (III)

Phase (I): Identify

Action Involvement Time scale

The first steps:

Set up internal partnership with D.C.C. Parks Department DCC 3 months

Form partnership with the Irish Wild Life Trust NM 2 weeks

Set up partnership with An Tascaise: involving distribution wildlife and

community information and educational school packs

NM: DCC Mark

Bennet: An Tascaise

Brídín Mulhall

3 weeks

Carry out a feasibility Study on the grounds of the Station A Watch 2 months

Conduct feasibility of installing beehives including site visits and local

research

NM: National

Beekeepers

Authority

4 months

Conduct feasibility study for the construction of the Glass House made

entirely from recycled Products NM: D Watch 1 month

Look for sponsorship / funding / grants NM On going

Carry out Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Audit of hand ball

alley metal fixings attached to the Roof DFB Gerry Woods 2 weeks

Draw up all guidance docs on Vegetable and fruit Gardening for the

Station Crew

DCC: Mary Mac

Sweeney 2 weeks

Apply for Four Water Butts from DCC Water Conservation Department DCC: Sinéad

Hourihane 1 month

36


Phase (I) Commit:

Action Involvement Timescale

Publish Draft Phase (I) Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station NM 2 months

Hold information session with the Fire Stations Crew 2 months

Commission CADs of the Station NM: DFB Senior

Management 1 week

Designate east facing area of Station grounds as woodland area and

recreational garden

DFB Senior

Management 2 weeks

Designate South facing Station grounds as the new Commemorative

Garden and allotment

DFB Senior

Management

2 weeks

Open cost centre for all financing

Received €15,000 from LANPAG as Sponsorship for the ground works

NM: DFB Accounts:

DFB Senior

Management

1 month

Categorise and list all species of trees plants and shrubbery on Station

grounds

NM: DFB Paul

Keane 2 months

Draw up all guidance docs on Vegetable and fruit Gardening for the

Station Crew

DCC: Mary Mac

Sweeney 2 weeks

Decommission old Fire Appliances on Station Grounds D/O Greg Cornelia 5 months

Decommission old oil tank in bund area NM: DFB Senior

Management 2 months

Install a Lead Acid battery container to receive all batteries from

decommissioned vehicles

NM: Recycling

Village Ltd 1 week

37


Phase (I): Plan and Take Action


Distribute Phase (I) Biodiversity Action Plan among all Stake holders NM: All 1 month

Hold information Session with Stations Crew 2 months

Prepare site for beehives and explore wild garden concept including

meadow drifts

D Watch DCC

Joinery Dept 2 months

Shred all garden waste from the garden prep works A Watch On going

Install a temporary compost bay including a pig recycler for meats D Watch 1 month

Install Nr 4 X Water Butts A Watch 1 month

Set up wormery at compost bay NM:B Watch 2 months

Clear all grounds of debris and segregate all waste for recycling C Watch 4 months

Wash down all of the Station Drill Yard using harvested Rain Water C Watch 1 week

Removal of Nr 3 DCC Parks Department Vehicles from Station DCC Multi Depts 1 month

Removal of Nr 2 DCC transport Department Decommissioned

Vehicles DCC Multi Depts 2 months

Removal of DCC Transport Department mobile Canteen and removal

of Nr 2 green DCC Trailers DCC Multi Depts 3 months

Removal of decommissioned Porta cabin formerly a DFB temporary

Female Toilets

NM: DFB Garage:

D/O Greg Cornelia 9 months

Removal of Nr 3 decommissioned Fire Appliances in Station Yard and

old damaged salt / grit containers

NM: DFB Garage:


Removal of the old oil tank in the bund area, east side of Station

NM: Temech Ltd:

S/O Paul

Hendricken

1 week

38


Phase (I) Review:


Report Phase (I) findings to DFB Partnership

NM: DFB

Partnership: DFB

Senior Management

1 week

Report Phase (I) work and findings to Senior DFB Management NM: DFB Senior

Management 1 week

Present Phase (I) findings to DCC Corporate Partnership Forum

NM: Corporate

Partnership DFB

Senior Management

1 week

Publish Phase (I) Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station NM: Station Crew 1 week

39


Phase (II): Identify and Commit

Action Involvement Time scale

Hold information session with Fire Stations Crew NM: All 1 month

Quantity Survey sites and materials: including Willow Park

Construction

NM: DFB Paul

Keane: Alan Walshe 1 month

Draw plans for all Sites including risk assessments

NM: DFB Gerry

Woods: DFB Paul

Keane

2 months

Provide nr 1 x digger and driver for two days

To dig out and scrape back the new pathway around the

commemorative garden

NM: DFB Senior

Management:

Progarden Ltd

1 week

Provide a Bobcat and driver to distribute, spread and level hardcore for

the new paths also to be used on clear up and all tree cuttings.

NM: DFB Senior

Management:

Progarden Ltd

1 week

Research Lighting Technologies for the Commemorative Garden NM: Delight Ltd 1 month

Purchase gardening equipment and Lawnmower NM: DFB Senior

Management 1 month

Publish Draft Phase (II) Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station NM 1 month

Commission survey of Hydroponic waste water treatment works on the

first floor of the Station, increasing levels of oxygen and decreasing

levels of Carbon Dioxide.

NM: Senior

Management: Ollan

Heir Ltd

3 weeks

Allocate all previously collected and stored Retro fit recyclable

materials to new tasks

NM: D Watch:

Retired Members

DFB

1 week

40


Phase (II): Plan and Take Action

Action: All Ground works: Involvement Time scale

Distribute Phase (I) Biodiversity Action Plan among all Stake holders NM: All 1 month

Prune all trees and shred all cuttings D Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 month

Spray all grass with agricultural weedkiller D Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 week

Initially provide 4 x truck loads of wood chippings Progarden Ltd 1 week

Provide 60 tonnes of premium topsoil Progarden Ltd 1 week

Provide 40 tonnes of hardcore Progarden Ltd 1 week

Brake out areas for tree planting Progarden Ltd 1 week

Provide 40 tonnes of lesser quality topsoil Progarden Ltd 1 week

Clear channels and lay conduit for LED lighting Delite Energy

Solutions 1 week

Install €3000 worth of LED Lighting around the new path way Delite Energy

Solutions 2 days

Pre seed all the new contoured grass land

Progarden Ltd: D

Watch: Retired

Members DFB

1 week

41



Remove Ivy from the Stations Walls and existing Trees A Watch 1 week

Remove all ICB Containers and have them environmentally

processed and treated to Health and Safety best practice standards.

NM: DFB Garage:

D/O Greg Cornelia 1 month

Remove four decommissioned Fire Appliances and have them sent

to the National Transport museum in Howth Co. Dublin

NM: DFB Garage:


Set up shredding area with a temporary boundary wall Retired Members

DFB 1 day

Mark Footings for the New Commemorative Monument Retired Members

DFB 1 day

Remove all pruned wood to designated area and shred for later use Retired Members

DFB 2 days

Receive 30 tonnes of Compost for new Pond area Peter O Brien Ltd 2 days

Delivery of distribution of Manure for allotment NM: DFB Retired

Members 1 day

Hand fill allotment raised vegetable beds with manure and soil mix NM: DFB Retired

Members 1 day

Receive and distribute nr 2 tonnes of poor top soil for the Pond NM: DFB Retired

Members 1 day

Prepare the contoured ground for raking A Watch: Retired

Members DFB 3 weeks

Receive 40 tonnes of manure B Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

42



Receive 20 tonnes of high quality premium screened top soil Retired Members

DFB 1 day

Infill manure mix around Commemorative Monument Perimeter Retired Members

DFB 2 days

Scrape back the new allotment ground works C Watch: Retired

Members DFB 2 days

Level the Allotment area and prepare soil manure mix B Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

Quantify and purchase timber for the new pathway edge NM 1 day

Lay timber edge to Garden pathway. NM: Retired

Members DFB 3 days

Construct allotment using galvanised steel straps and Jointed,

recycled timber railway sleepers A Watch: 2 weeks

Treat railway sleepers with non invasive wood preserver A Watch: 2 days

Mix and fill allotment with manure and premium grade top soil B Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

Removal of decommissioned 40 foot container from

Commemorative Garden entrance

NM: DFB Garage:

D/O Greg Cornelia 1 week

43



Action: Construction Projects: Involvement Time scale

Remove all metal fixings to the roof of the hand ball alley DFB Crew from No

12 Fire Station 1 week

Recycling of Metal fixings (weighing over two tonne) B Watch 1 day

Begin reconstructing and refurbishing the Bram Stoker Porch Entrance

as our Entrance to the Commemorative Garden

DCC Joinery Dept:

Retired Members

DFB

8 months

Construct and install beehives

DCC Joinery Dept:

Retired Members

DFB

2 weeks

Construct insect habitats and eco systems below ground D Watch: Retired

Members DFB 4 months

Start decking base construction B Watch 1 month

Construct and erect bird boxes and artificial bat roosts from recycled

materials D Watch 1 month

Build full compost bay including concrete plinth B Watch 1 week

Dig foundations for the commemorative monument

Progarden Ltd:

Retired Members

DFB

1 day

Construct large Bat Roost as a feature for back of the handball alley D Watch: Retired

members DFB 2 weeks

Start Decking frame and surface B Watch 3 weeks

Excavate and lay foundations for raised decking wall B Watch 2 days

44



Build raised decking area wall B Watch 3 days

Build raised decking to use as a seating area B Watch 2 weeks

Oil the decking first coat treatment Retired Members

DFB 1 day

Screed the new wall using Monocouch Screed A watch: Retired

Members DFB 2 days

Lay paving stones on their side 190 x 50 x 60 deep

Progarden: A

watch: Retired

Members DFB

2 days

Lay hardcore for Path way in Commemorative garden A watch: Retired

Members DFB 3 days

Hire and collect two x whackers for two weeks NM 2 weeks

Whack down hardcore for path way A watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

Re whack hardcore path way C Watch: Retired

members DFB 1 day

Receive delivery of 30 tonnes of Fine Dust to make new pathway C Watch: Retired

members DFB 1 day

Spread fine dust over hardcore B Watch 1 day

Whack dust to make new path way C Watch: Retired

members DFB 2 days

Mark out the footings for the new seating area B Watch 1 day

Order and receive delivery of pavement stones and materials for

path and seating areas

NM: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

45



Pave the seating area and pathway border

Progarden: A

watch: Retired

Members DFB

1 day

Re whack pavement C Watch: Retired

Members DFB 1 day

Re- oil the decking second coat Retired Members

DFB 1 day

Delivery of the Monument

NM: A Watch: D

Watch: Retired

Members DFB

1 day

Installation of the Monument base and erection of the monument

column

NM: A Watch:

Retired Members

DFB: DCC Parks

Dept

1 day

Wash down Fire Stations Drill Yard and remove all debris and waste C Watch 1 day

46



Action: Other Projects: Involvement Time Scale

Begin all raking and contouring A Watch 2 weeks

Receive and Erect Commemorative garden Monument

NM: A Watch: DFB

Retired Members:

Sculptor Mr. Phil O

Neill

1 day

Purchase Grass seed NM 1 day

Excavate site for raised bed and woodland project A Watch: Retired

Members DFB 2 weeks

Seed the new lawn NM: A Watch 1 day

Water newly seeded lawn for two weeks All Watches: Retired

Members DFB 2 weeks

Purchase 12 x Native Tree Species for the Gardens NM: Paul Keane 1 day

Invite local schools to take part in the Planting of the new Oak Tree D Watch 1 day

Plant native tress and native species in all new gardens including a

twenty year old Oak Tree.

D Watch: Scoile

Eoin: Holy Trinity 1 day

Build allotment using recycled railway sleepers A Watch 2 weeks

Receive and distribute 100 tons of top spoil

NM: A Watch:

Retired Members

DFB

1 day

Level and contour all remaining perimeter areas of new

commemorative garden

NM: A Watch:

Retired Members

DFB

1 day

Begin planting of Commemorative Garden perimeter area Caroline Timmons:

Mary Mac Sweeney 1 day

47



Begin planting seeds for the Allotment

NM: DCC Mary Mac

Sweeney: DCC

Caroline Timmons

1 day

Begin Planting Rhubarb area in the reclaimed Wheel Hubs from the

Old Fire Appliances

NM: DCC Mary Mac

Sweeney: DCC

Caroline Timmons

1 day

Delivery of reclaimed benches from Fairview Park NM: DCC Parks 1 day

Sand back and paint DCC reclaimed Park benches B Watch 2 days

Install reclaimed Park benches in the Commemorative Garden NM: B Watch 1 day

Collect railway bench from the Cagney O Regan family. NM: ABTO Sean

Cagney 1 day

Print and install all new labels for the composting and recycling Bays NM: DCC Mark

Bennett 1 day

48


Phase (II) Review:

Green Agenda:

As part of a Green Agenda, stemming from the Green Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station: Partnerships

are now set up and operating with the following organisations:

Dublin City Council Parks Department

Dublin City Council Joinery Department

An Taisce

Prospect Gardens Ltd

The Irish Wild Life Trust

Jack and Jill Foundation

Oxfam International


Report Phase (II) findings to DFB Partnership

NM: DFB

Partnership: DFB

Senior Management

1 week

Report Phase (II) work and findings to Senior DFB Management NM: DFB Senior

Management 1 week

Present Phase (II) findings to DCC Corporate Partnership Forum

NM: Corporate

Partnership DFB

Senior Management

1 week

Publish Phase (II) Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station NM: Station Crew 1 week

49


Main achievements thus far:

The link with Retired Members of Dublin Fire Brigade has proved to be the single biggest

achievement of the whole Biodiversity Action Plan.

We are composting 100% of all organic Station Waste. No organic waste goes to land fill.

There are two working beehives in the Fire Station

The lighting used in the Commemorative Garden at night is LEDs. The entire garden lights up

and is a very welcoming place to be at night time.

Local hospice Patients have visited the Commemorative Garden to relax and have been

brought to the Fire Station by DFB Retired members.

We have produced our second harvest of seasonal vegetables and one crop of fruit

We have planted an Oak Tree in the very centre of our Commemorative Garden. Apart from

being a focal point, this Oak tree is a symbol of our actions and our plans for a more

Sustainable Future and was planted by the children from two local schools and the most

senior member of the Fire Station.

Achievements:

We now have four fully functioning gardens protecting the eco systems that we have helped to

create and nurture. They are as follows:

1) DFB Commemorative Garden for Deceased Members

2) Recreational Garden

3) Woodland Garden

4) Allotment Garden

50


Phase (III): Identify and Commit

Action Involvement Time Scale

Hold information session with Fire Stations Crew NM: All 1 day

Invite Local Schools and Collages to participate in this Biodiversity Action

Plan NM 1 week

Approval for Biodiversity Action Days with Local schools Nm: Schools 2 weeks

Begin engagement with local Technical Collage Horticultural Students. NM: Paul Keane 1 week

Visit schools and take part in the Green Flags for Schools programme NM On going

Invite Irish Wild life Trust to participate in Infra red filming of Station

Grounds NM On going

Seek approval for Hydroponic project to be instated on the first floor NM: DFB Senior

Management: 1 month

Publish Phase (III) Biodiversity Action Plan among all Stake holders NM: All 1 month

51


Phase (III): Plan and Take Action

Action Involvement Time Scale

Hold information session with Fire Stations Crew NM: All 1 month

Distribute Phase (III) Biodiversity Action Plan among all Stake holders NM 1 month

Visit schools and take part in the Green Flags for Schools programme NM On going

Begin infra red filming and documenting the nocturnal activities of Bats in

the artificial Bat Roost and live stream to the Web NM On going

Complete the construction of the Pond, using treated rain water from the

under ground grey water treatment works.

NM: Station

Crew On going

Complete final ground works for new eco systems NM: Station

Crew 3 months

Increase wormery chambers NM 1 week

Commence categorising and documenting insect and wildlife species

ahead of the Biodiversity Action Plan Review 2015 NM On going

Complete Bram Stoker Porch project NM: DCC

Joinery 5 months

Finish the media blasting and painting of the old boiler elements NM: Farrah

Engineering On going

Construct a wooden kick board around the perimeter of the decking

including a ramp for wheel chair access B Watch 2 weeks

Extend the allotment area by a further 20m2 D Watch On going

Maintenance of the Commemorative garden

Retired

Members: D

Watch

On going

Planting of nr 1000 Bulbs Retired

Members On going

Restoration of wooden baskets for the allotment DCC Joinery On going

52


Phase (III) Review:


Report Phase (III) findings to DFB Partnership

NM: DFB

Partnership:

DFB Senior

Management

1 week

Report Phase (III) work and findings to Senior DFB Management NM: DFB Senior

Management 1 week

Present Phase (III) findings to DCC Corporate Partnership Forum

NM: Corporate

Partnership

DFB Senior

Management

1 week

Publish Complete Biodiversity Action Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station NM: Station

Crew 1 week

Write Biodiversity Action Plan Review NM On going

53

Appendix

1) Correspondence from LANPAG Local Area Network of Partnership Advisory Group to

Kilbarrack Fire Station.

2) Letter from Corporate Partnership Forum to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

3) Letter from Delite Energy Solutions to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

4) Letter from Pro Garden Ltd to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

5) Letter from Phil O Neill Sculptor to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

6) Species List Kilbarrack Fire Station

7) C Watch Kilbarrack Fire Station has sent out a press release on their combined changed

eating habits as part of our Green Plan.

8) Memo to the Crew Kilbarrack Fire Station from Neil McCabe

9) Press Release from Dublin Fire Brigade external training division.

Pictured at the launch of the Green Plan and the opening of our DFB Commemorative Garden were: the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr. Gerry Breen; City Manager, Mr. John Tierney; Chief Fire Officer Dublin Fire Brigade, Mr. Hugh O Neill; Green Business Officer Dublin City Council, Mark Bennett and Fire Fighter Neil McCabe, author of the Green Plan for Kilbarrack Fire Station.

54

1) Correspondence from LANPAG Local Area Network of Partnership Advisory Group to Kilbarrack

Fire Station.

The Local Government National Partnership Advisory Group (LANPAG) was established in 1999 to

provide support for workplace partnership in each of 34 local authorities in Ireland. Through the

development of framework and strategic plans, the provision of training and financial support for

partnership projects, workplace partnership is further strengthened and developed throughout the

sector. LANPAG also facilitates engagement and information sharing between local authorities

through the holding of network meetings.

The Corporate Partnership Forum (CPF) was established in Dublin City Council in 1999 in keeping

with the national agreement of the time, Partnership 2000. The CPF has 34 members drawn from

senior managers and trade union officials who represent the interests of staff across the

organisation. The role of the CPF is as follows;

“To have shared ownership and responsibility for the change process within Dublin City Council in

order to further develop high standards of Public Service by Strengthening Local Government”.

The CPF meets on a monthly basis and identifies strategic initiatives that address the concerns of all

stakeholders. The CPF have progressed a wide range of issues since its inception that are important

to staff and service users. Innovation has been one of the themes pursued by the members of the

Forum, who seek to be well informed about external and internal developments that could impact

negatively or positively on this organisation.

Tony Byrne, Partnership Facilitator invited Neil McCabe to present a presentation on achieving a

Carbon Neutral status for Kilbarrack Fire Station, having seen Neil make this presentation to the Fire

Brigade Partnership group. In February 2009 Neil McCabe made a presentation to the members of

the CPF and outlined the actions and costs involved in achieving this ambitious project. The

members of the Forum were very impressed with the innovative and sustainable approach outlined

by Neil McCabe and supported by senior Dublin Fire Brigade Management. The employee

engagement approach utilised in the instigation of workplace change demonstrated in the

involvement of all members of staff in Kilbarrack Station, was fully in keeping with the partnership

ethos.

In the early stages of the project LANPAG provided financial assistance towards the cost of carrying

out an Energy Audit of Kilbarrack Station. Seeing the potential for other local authorities to adopt

this approach in their own workplaces Neil McCabe was invited to present this project to the Joint

Chairs and Facilitators at the Eastern Region Network of workplace partnership Joint Chairs and

Facilitators. Partnership funding in the sum of €15,000 was provided towards the cost of the

completion of the project.

Mary Mac Sweeney, Partnership Co-ordinator and Tony Byrne, Partnership Facilitator visited the

station in May 2010 and Neil McCabe showed them the extensive changes already made and

outlined the plans for further changes before the initiative is launched in Autumn 2010.

55

2) Letter from Corporate Partnership Forum to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

Partnership Office, Human Resources Department, Dublin City Council, Block 3, Floor 5, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

Oifig Chomhpháirtíochta, Roinn Acmhainní Daonna,

Comhairle Cathrach Baile Átha Chliath, Bloc 3, Urlár 5, Oifigí Cathartha, An Ché Adhmaid, Baile Átha Cliath 8.

T. 01 222 5151/5158/5147/5148

28th May 2010

Mr. Neil McCabe

Firefighter,

Kilbarrack Fire Station,

Raheny Road,

Kilbarrack,

Dublin 5

Re: Green Project Kilbarrack Fire Station

Dear Mr. McCabe,

On behalf of the members of the Corporate Partnership Forum we would like to thank you for the impressive work that you are overseeing

in the transformation of Kilbarrack Fire Station. The Forum is fully supportive of the approach you and your colleagues are taking to the

application of sustainable principles in the implementation of significant workplace change.

We are delighted to inform you that partnership funding of €15,000 can be made available towards the cost of the completion of the

“Green Project” Kilbarrack Fire Station. We believe that the learning from the work carried out in Kilbarrack is a great example of an

innovative, bottom up approach to the development of practical sustainable solutions in the workplace. There is significant scope for

other work locations to adopt a similar approach to reducing energy dependency and in harnessing rain water, solar and wind power to

meet their energy requirements.

Kilbarrack Fire Station will be an example to others who wish to take a similar approach. The Corporate Partnership Forum is happy to be

associated with this important project, and wish you every success with its completion.

Kind Regards,

_______________________ _______________________ Frank Kelly Pat McCormack

Partnership Joint Chair Partnership Joint Chair

56

3 )Letter from Delite Energy Solutions to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

57

4) Letter from Pro Garden Ltd to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

58

5) Letter from Phil O Neill Sculptor to Kilbarrack Fire Station.

59

6) Species List Kilbarrack Fire Station

Species No Age

Sycamore 12 25

Horse Chestnut 3 34

Ash 1 36

Hazel 1 10

Oak 1 8

Phyllostachys nigra 3 8

Prunus Luistanica Angustifolia 3 6

Quercus robur 1 5

Corylus Avellana Contorta 1 6

Sorbus aucuparia Asplenifolia 3 7

Eyonymus President Gaulthier 1 5

60

7) C Watch Kilbarrack Fire Station have sent out a press release on their combined changed eating

habits as part of our Green Plan.

C Watch Goes Green C Watch Goes Lean

C Watch in Kilbarrack Fire Station have really engaged in the spirit of the Green Plan Project. To

coincide with their sustainability project, C Watch decided to hatch their own Green and Lean Plan.

There were two objectives of the C watch plan.

1. Make a positive and real contribution to the Kilbarrack Fire Stations’ Green Plan

sustainability project and

2. Increase the personal fitness levels of each watch member combined with a weight loss

programme

In realising the first objective, the Watch took responsibility for the redevelopment of the waste

ground at the rear of the handball alley, which has now been transformed into Dublin Fire Brigades

First Commemorative Garden for members past and present. Mission accomplished. Objective

number two required a bit more heated discussion before an action plan was agreed. In horse racing

parlance, there were some lean thoroughbreds and some seasoned nags who were fond of their

oats, among the group.

Consensus was the order of the day and the following plan swung into action;

o The Watch signed up for the Cycle To Work scheme

o A weekly weigh-in became compulsory

o Circuit Training and physical work in the garden formed part of the drill programme

The watch have their own resident nutritionist and personal trainer in Karina Daly. The personal

exercise and weight loss programmes were all complimented by the culinary skills of the on-site

gourmet chef in the form of senior man and mess man, Vincent Savage. Low GI foods, which are

slow sugar releasing foods, became the main part of a new diet plan. Sweet potatoes replaced chips

and baked potatoes were used instead of mashed potatoes. Yeast free brown bread replaced white

bread. The yeast free brown bread is prepared in the station by the mess man.

Roasted vegetables replaced rice and pastas. The one downside is that the initiative has not helped

the current recession as some local fast foot outlets have begun to lay off staff!!!

The outcome of the change in diet and increase in exercise levels has been clear for all to see. Each

watch member has enjoyed weight loss and an increase in energy/motivation levels. Weight loss to

date has been a total of 196 Lbs.

Overall the project has been very enjoyable and successful as evidenced by a beautiful garden and a

healthier watch.

Staying Green and Staying Lean is the next challenge.

61

8) Memo to the Crew Kilbarrack Fire Station from Neil McCabe

Green Plan Kilbarrack Fire Station

Dublin Fire Brigades first Deceased Members Garden is well and truly underway. The garden will

formally be opened in August with the DFB pipe band playing a lament and the local Parish Priest

blessing the area.

On the same day the Green Plan is also being launched. Officials attending the day will be the new

Lord Mayor of Dublin and the City Manager.

A monument sculptured by World renowned sculptor Phillip O Neill has been commissioned and the

cost of this is €6,500 plus an extra €650 for the footings. This fee would normally be at least €20,000

but Mr. O Neill wishes to offer his work as a thank you to DFB for the Service that we provide and

the only cost is for the Red Granite Stone.

We have made a Biodiversity Action Plan that identifies the work needed. The crew of no 6 have

given over a lot of their free time to the project. Along the way I have contracted a landscaping

company to help with the bigger parts of the project, such as the ground works, landscaping,

equipment and machinery. The Retired Members have also been more then helpful to our cause.

I am very grateful to all the staff in the No 6 for their efforts and contribution to the deceased

members garden project so far. I am currently looking for volunteers to help with the final push on

the garden. The launch date is not far.

Some of the tasks for volunteers are:

The raking of the topsoil

Spreading of pre seed and grass seed

Laying of the timber edge around the pathway

Planting of the vegetables

Oiling of the decking timbers.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Paul Keane A Watch on 0868175558. Paul is

overseeing the project from here on in.

Once again a very big thanks to all the staff on all four Watch’s for all their help to date.

Neil McCabe

62

9) Press Release from Dublin Fire Brigade external training division.

Bats, Bees and Bram Stoker’s front door!

Press Release: Dublin, October 2010 – Teachers and pupils from nine primary schools in the

Kilbarrack, Killester, Raheny and Donaghmede areas were invited to Kilbarrack Fire Station for a very

unique and interesting information morning recently. Approximately 260 children, many of whom

were dressed up as ghosts and goblins, were given talks on fire safety, sustainability and Irish

wildlife.

Kilbarrack Fire Station has been named as the Flagship in the Sustainability Report 2010 for Dublin

City Council. Neil McCabe, Fire Officer based at the Station, is leading the way in implementing a

Green Plan for Dublin Fire Brigade. This event was one of a number of community initiatives that

has been organised by Neil.

As part of the Green Plan, the station has developed a rainwater harvesting system, reduced its

electricity consumption by 80%, recycles 40% of all its waste and houses bats and bees in its

dedicated eco garden. For this Halloween event, at the entrance of the garden stands the original

front door to the home of Dublin born author Bram Stoker.

Darren O’Connor, training instructor from DFB External Training gave the children a dramatic

demonstration of a burning chip pan and a general talk on fire safety in the home. Much to their

surprise, Darren explained how the Dublin Fire Brigade responds to 750 calls per day.

Education Officer, Katie Egan from The Irish Wildlife Trust gave a fascinating talk about the life of

bats in Ireland. In their spare time, Fire Officers dedicated to the Green Plan, have built water and

light proof bat boxes to house bats at the Station. All pupils were given special fire safety packs to

take home and a bat box for each school.

Phil Kelly, Training Manager with DFB External Training commented ‘One of our key objectives at

DFB External Training is to support fantastic community initiatives like Neil’s today.’ He continued

‘The Unit has been providing best practice commercial training for a number of years. We never lose

sight of our purpose as part of Dublin Fire Brigade to protect the community. Providing basic

essential fire safety training for school children is something we are proud to participate in.’

green plan biodiversity action plan kilbarrack fire station final

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