Portlaoise, Ireland, 26th November 2023 – In a pioneering move towards sustainability, Neil McCabe, known as The Green Fireman and CEO of The GreenPlan, visited Portlaoise Fire Station to launch the implementation of The GreenPlan system. This innovative certification framework, developed based on Neil's transformative work greening the Dublin Fire Brigade, is designed to embed sustainable practices into organisations and communities while reducing carbon emissions, saving costs, and fostering societal benefits.
The GreenPlan is built around seven core themes—Energy, Water, Waste, Biodiversity, Transport, Society, and Procurement—anchored by two key principles: behavioural change and carbon emission reduction. It offers a structured approach to sustainability, with certification awarded after completing three implementation phases: auditing, measurement, and verification.
Neil McCabe, The Green Fireman, has drawn on his extensive experience leading sustainable initiatives in the Dublin Fire Service to create The GreenPlan. His work has been recognised nationally and internationally as a model for how organisations can achieve meaningful environmental change through collective action.
“The GreenPlan is not just about sustainability; it’s about empowering people and organisations to take ownership of their environmental impact,” said Neil McCabe. “I had great pleasure in seeing the team in Laois Fire Service assemble and immediately engage with The GreenPlan process. This project is a remarkable step forward for both the organisation and the community.”
Chief Fire Officer Declan Power also expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This collaboration with The GreenPlan is a significant milestone for Laois County Fire & Rescue Service and Laois County Council. Neil McCabe's expertise and passion for sustainability have already made a mark, and we’re proud to take this journey towards reducing emissions, cutting costs, and creating a positive impact for the future.”
The initiative requires staff from all Laois fire stations to collaborate in identifying a "Register of Opportunities" to improve daily operations. This includes assessing and implementing strategies aligned with the seven GreenPlan themes and monitoring the resulting changes and savings.
The rollout will involve five workshops focusing on developing a bespoke GreenPlan ethos and actionable strategies, followed by detailed assessments of the seven themes. The project is scheduled to conclude by April 2025, with a final presentation to Laois County Council in May 2025, where certificates will be awarded to participating stations.
Neil McCabe’s leadership and the Laois County Fire & Rescue Service’s commitment set a powerful example of how emergency services can lead the charge in sustainable development while delivering significant economic and environmental benefits.