By Tate Papworth
Brimbank is set to receive a new mobile air monitoring unit.
Select SES units across Victoria operate mobile air quality monitoring gear as part of the Environment Protection Authority Victoria’s (EPA) Incident Air Monitoring network.
EPA chief environmental scientist
Dr Andrea Hinwood said the SES volunteers would provide high-tech air quality monitoring at major fires and other incidents for the protection of the public.
They join 10 other units which have been in operation since 2017. She said the addition of four new units is expected to reduce the response time to incidents.
“The air monitors will record levels of what is known as PM2.5, the small particles found in smoke that can affect people’s health. The higher the reading, the more particles and the greater risk to health,” Dr Hinwood said.
SES deputy chief officer Alistair Drayton said the program adds to the state’s emergency response capacity.
“Like the original 10, the four new mobile units have been placed in locations selected by EPA and VICSES to enable response to smoke events to occur quickly,” Mr Drayton said.
Air quality information collected by the mobile units will be available to the community. Information about potential health impacts will also be available through the EPA at www.epa.vic.gov.au
