Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has shared how it conducts scientific investigations in the field with a video of its mobile lab, the Emergency Management (EM) Vehicle.
A major investment in portable technology, the EM Vehicle is a rapid response, one stop science shop that can determine everything from contamination in the air and water to pollution in the ground.
Part of EPA's Science Division, the 24/7 unit is on a moment's notice to support emergency services and has attended emergency events around the state.
Equipped with air sensors, the unit provided valuable on the spot air quality readings during major events such as the 2019/2020 bushfires. More recently it was on scene at Cherry Creek in Altona to monitor impacts of a chemical spill.
"Science and technology underpin much of what we do at EPA. It's vital to our information gathering and how we use that information in practical terms of safety for the community," said EPA Chief Environmental Scientist, Prof Mark Patrick Taylor.
"The EM Vehicle saves us valuable time by making it possible to monitor and test on site for many of the things that determine whether there is a potential for harm to the community or the environment.
"It's a smart bit of engineering too, with solar batteries to prolong its ability to stay in the field and a mobile workstation. EPA will continue to invest in technologies like this, and a second EM Vehicle is already under development, because it delivers tangible benefits to the community in the form of information that helps keep you safe."
To watch the video go to https://youtu.be/N2zIbPpkjvU
NOTE:
It's National Science Week celebrating the contribution science and technology makes to Australia. To see what is going on in Science Week in Victoria go to https://www.scienceweek.net.au/your-state/vic/
