|
Online environmental monitoring system picks up national award |
|
Friday, 10 July 2009 |
|
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is now using new internet-based technology to monitor pollution incidents, winning the department a major national award for the use of broadband in emergency situations.
| The use of this technology for environmental monitoring and emergency response is a first in Australia, and was recognised at this year's Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG) Awards where DEC won the National Broadband Award.
DEC and Perth company ETCorp have developed a customised solution to deliver live video footage and data on chemical emissions to computers and mobile devices used by pollution response officers throughout the State.The GPAC system is now being considered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for similar use. | DEC pollution response manager Dr Jimmy Seow said the breakthrough was the result of five years of research and development into how the internet could be used to enhance the department's chemical monitoring capability. "The GPAC system integrates real time video footage of an incident with data from chemical sensors which enables us to monitor things such as air toxicity in the event of a chemical fire," Dr Seow said. | 
| "The system can be controlled and accessed remotely, which enables DEC to gather and share images and information from an incident within DEC and with other organisations, resulting in better and faster management decisions during an emergency or pollution investigation. The GPAC system is now fully integrated into two DEC vehicles and can be used with our Osiris dust monitors, which were recently deployed to Esperance to monitor the lead removal project." Dr Seow said the system is also attached to a specially designed DEC safety helmet for officers to use in the event of an emergency response or pollution investigation, in order to share images of the incident scene."The GPAC system also allows for various applications to be integrated into it, such as sensor alarms, where DEC staff will be alerted by email or SMS to any hazardous emissions," he said. ATUG Managing Director Rosemary Sinclair said the collaboration between DEC and ETCorp was an example of how industry and government could use broadband technology to improve the way they managed complex incidents.
"DEC's work in using broadband to deliver immediate access to critical information from many sources in one screen enables faster, better responses in emergency situations. This award recognises the effectiveness of the department's innovative solution - getting the right information to the right person at the right time," Ms Sinclair said. Media contact: DEC Media 6467 5555
|
|
