Ambulance service reducing emissions one fan at a time

The Welsh Ambulance Service is taking a green first approach to keeping its staff and patients warm in the back of its ambulances by investing in fan heaters that don’t need the diesel engine running to operate when the temperatures plunge during the winter.

Ambulance engines normally have to remain switched on to keep essential equipment running and for warmth, but the newly-procured bladeless fan heaters mean engines can now be switched off, reducing diesel emissions. Power comes from attaching the ambulance to an outlet via a 230volt shoreline cable.

“The well-documented pressures across the system mean that some patients spend a considerable amount of time in the ambulance before handover to the emergency department. 

“In turn, that means both patients and staff can be exposed to diesel emissions for long periods of time, which is clearly very unpleasant and absolutely not the experience we want anyone to have.”

Liam Williams, Director of Quality and Nursing, Welsh Ambulance Service.

Investing in the multi-functional bladeless fan heaters from Dyson that have the ability to heat and cool, as well as capture airborne dust, allergens, odours, bacteria and other pollutants, is all part of the service’s commitment to reduce its diesel fumes and its overall environmental impact. The Welsh Government is aiming for a carbon net zero public sector by 2030, and for Wales to become carbon neutral by 2050.

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Read more about how ambulance services are working to reduce emissions from fleet – Ambulance service launches new study to investigate air pollution exposure among crews.