Northbrook's Clean "Green" Operations


 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES USED BY NORTHBROOK

  • Recycling of waste oil, oil filters, gasoline, anti-freeze/coolant, scrap metal, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, cardboard and plastics.
  • Use of Hybrid technology vehicles when replacing Administrative or Inspection vehicles.
  • Alternative or flex-fuel type of vehicles whenever possible. Assess vehicle needs and order with environmental concerns addressed.
  • Use of Biodiesel in all diesel powered vehicles.
  • Use of aqueous parts washer for Fleet Garage eliminating the use of solvent based parts washing.
  • Use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) chemicals and paints.
  • Use of soy based cleaners (hand, vehicle and degreasing), stop usage of petroleum or chemical solvent based cleaners.
  • Follow guidelines of Anti Idling legislation for all Village owned vehicles. Programming of engine computers on International trucks to shut down after five minutes of idling. Installation of idle shutdown timers on vehicles if not possible to program the main engine computer.
  • Outfitting vehicles with LED (light emitting diode) type of emergency lighting. This enables the engine in the vehicle to be shut off and still operate the emergency lights for several hours without draining the battery.
  • Installing fifteen (15) Diesel Oxidation Catalysts on Public Works dump trucks, street sweepers and sewer flushers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATING GUIDELINES

In addition to the purchase of the hybrid vehicles, Northbrook Fire Department has created the Department Operating Guideline (DOG) that outlines their policy of limiting the idling of department vehicles to reduce exhaust emissions. The details of this guideline are below:

19.2.1 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of these procedures are to present clear guidelines for the reduction of idling time on department apparatus while maintaining operational readiness. To minimize the exhaust emissions of department vehicles.

To minimize the unnecessary use of fuel resources.

To maintain operational readiness.

19.2.2  GENERAL

During all routine, non-emergency use, all department vehicles will not be left idling for any period longer than five (5) minutes. Vehicles that are left with radios on for the purpose of monitoring radio traffic shall be run for five (5) minutes every half hour to maintain a charge in the batteries.

Vehicles that are actively involved in an incident shall remain running as long as needed for the duration of the incident.

Vehicles that are not actively involved in an incident, but are on the scene of an incident, shall be shut off and batteries shut off.

Vehicles being used to provide emergency lighting shall remain running for the duration of the need.

Vehicles will be shut off during fueling operations.

Vehicles will remain running during any operations when the ambient temperature is below freezing.

Any vehicle providing heating or cooling for personnel or civilians during an incident may remain running for the duration of the need.

The scope of this policy shall not infringe on the ability of an officer to modify the requirements of section 19.2.2 when justified by the circumstances.

POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATING GUIDELINES

  • Introduction of the new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System has reduced reliance on paper reports by moving the reporting system to an electronic reporting system;
  • The department actively recycles all aluminum, lead, copper and brass collected from soda cans and spent ammunition and casings;
  • We encourage and order personal safety equipment (flashlights, radios, etc) with rechargeable batteries reducing our need for single use batteries;
  • Recycle all used batteries, both single use and reusable at the end of their service lives;
  • Migrating to a new in-car video camera system that no longer uses VHS formats and single use batteries; switching to a rechargeable transmitter and downloadable digital format to eliminate VHS tapes and batteries;
  • The Firing Range uses a 3-step HEPA Filtering System to capture air-bone lead and fine particulates from ammunition;
  • The Firing Range is scrubbed by an expert team to abate lead and other contaminates from collecting on surfaces and safely disposes/recycles all contaminated products;
  • Actively promoted reduction of car idling to reduce exhaust emissions and reduce fuel consumption;
  • Introduced the use of flex-fuel vehicles for staff non-emergency vehicles;
  • Recycle disposed of useable paper into note pads
  • Collect shredded office documents for recycling;
  • Collect for recycling and safe disposal of all fluorescent light bulbs;
  • Use HEPA Air Filtering in the Evidence Processing Lab to reduce air-borne bio-hazards and chemicals used in processing;
  • Discontinued use of Styrofoam coffee cups to a safer biodegradable paper cup and actively promote the use of reusable cups amongst office personnel.
  • Old uniforms are cleared of all police insignia, and donated to charity if reuseable.
  • Implementation of vehicle anti-idling on department vehicles not involved in emergency or service calls.
  • Exploring the availability and practical applications of police package flex-fuel patrol and staff vehicles.