Redmond High students help with energy audits at Redmond Fire Stations

Students from Redmond High School (RHS) have started a new project to reduce the carbon emissions from Redmond Fire Stations. In the challenge, students will conduct pre and post energy audits for each of the six Redmond Fire Stations.

The first energy audit to measure the existing level of emissions was conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Fire Station 11, the department’s headquarters. The students will audit the rest of the fire stations over the next two months

The program, called the "Firehouse Cool Down Challenge," is modeled after the "Cool School Challenge," an award-winning national program initiated by RHS students. During the Cool School Challenge, the students successfully lowered the carbon emissions at their high school far below levels recommended by the International Kyoto Treaty.

“The Firehouse Cool Down Challenge is also an extension of the Eco Office program,” stated Mike Town, teacher at RHS. “This program is a community service learning activity for students designed to reduce energy and resource consumption in business offices. It was developed in China by the Jane Goodall Institute and Environmental Resources Management, a global environmental consulting firm. ERM – Seattle is involved in our project.”

Mayor John Marchione suggested the students partner with the city and conduct energy audits at the Fire Stations after learning about the good work they did for the school.

“The city is implementing a new approach to managing fire facilities,” said Marchione. “We will benefit from the Redmond High students assessing of the fire stations to learn how we can improve energy efficiency. This is a great example of schools and government working together to promote environmental awareness and find practical solutions to common problems.”

The students are eager to put their knowledge into practice. Student Laci Casto noted, “Fire Station 11 had a good start to reducing their carbon footprint but has room for improvement.”

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