US EPA and FEMA US&R deploy MultiRAE Pro monitoring system

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Emergency Response Team and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force have received and deployed RAE Systems-built MultiRAE Pro portable multi-threat monitors to enhance safety.

The delivery follows a five-year contract that was awarded for supply of MultiRAE Pro monitors to the EPA, following successful completion of independent third-party validation testing.

The MultiRAE will provide critical, real-time toxic gas and radiation threat data and man-down alarm status needed for the EPA to respond rapidly to environmental and hazardous materials incidents at multiple locations.

RAE Systems chief operating officer Chris Toney said that the monitor assists to elevate safety for emergency response teams and the people that they protect.

"Both the EPA and FEMA US&R teams are tasked with responding rapidly to a variety of CBRNe and toxic gas threats at multiple locations simultaneously, making the delivery of real-time situational threat data and alarm status a critical safety component for reducing incident response times and saving lives," Toney added.

In addition to providing enhanced safety for emergency responders, the MultiRAE Pro also provides expanded real-time personal and point threat-detection capabilities for FEMA US&R.

Capable of detecting and monitoring more than 300 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the MultiRAE Pro system can detect gamma radiation, 55 combustible gases and vapours as well as 25 specific toxic gases.

The personal- and point-detection capabilities enable the system to be used for a broad range of applications, which include HazMat response, military, homeland security, and industrial safety and industrial hygiene.