Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service took delivery of three new 4x4 jeeps today, April 30th 2025. Representatives from Skoda Mr. Jack Slattery & Mr. Ollie Brannock who supplied the 2 x Skoda Kodiaks and from Ford Mr. John O’Mahony who supplied the Ford Ranger were accompanied by Mr. Noel Howard from HPMP Tullow who fitted out the jeeps for fire service use. The keys were handed over to Carlow County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fergal Brown and Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service’s A/Chief Fire Officer Ben Woodhouse.
The three new jeeps will be solely fuelled by Hydro Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO). HVO is considered to be a green fuel as it’s manufactured from renewable waste materials, it’s free of aromatics and toxins, it’s biodegradable and it can reduce emissions by up to 90%. HVO is classed as a second-generation biofuel because it’s manufactured using 100% renewable waste food oils and animal fats. With the addition of these three new jeeps four of the County Fire & Rescue Service’s fleet will now have moved to this sustainable alternative fuel source contributing to Carlow County Council’s Climate Action Plan.
A/ Chief Fire Officer Ben Woodhouse; ‘I’m delighted to receive the three new 4x4 HVO fuelled jeeps to put them into operational service and replacing older diesel fuelled vehicles. The new 4x4 jeeps combine the provision in the latest safety technology for our staff and other road users when responding to incidents whilst reducing emissions by up to 90%. The addition of these vehicles to our operational fleet and retirement of older vehicles contributes to maintaining a modern fleet of emergency vehicles responding to emergencies and serving the communities of County Carlow. This procurement also demonstrates our commitment to decarbonising the Fire & Rescue Service’s fleet and equipment following on from recent procurements including the first ECO Class Fire Appliance, Battery Operated RTC Equipment and Battery Operated PPV Fans’
The two Skoda Kodiak’s will be based in Carlow Fire Station and the Ford Ranger will be based in the Hacketstown Fire Station. The Ford Ranger is supplied with a vehicle mounted sign to provide for advanced warning to other road users of a hazard ahead, all Fire Stations in County Carlow are now equipped with these.