MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt (left) unveils the new FAST vehicle in Danvers with the help of (l-r) Danvers Selectmen Chairman Keith Lucy, Rep. Theodore Sepliotis, Fire Chief James Tutko, Police Chief Neil Ouellette, and Town Manager Wayne Marquis. MassDEP Director of Emergency Services Ed Kunce checks out some asbestos samples under the microscope in the FAST vehicle. Checking out the FAST vehicle during its unveiling are (l-r) DEP staffers Nihar Mohanty, Regional Engineer John Fitzgerald, and Senior Technical Advisor Sharon Weber. The new FAST vehicle was unveiled at the Danvers Fire Headquarters, less than 2 miles from the site of the 2006 Danversport explosion.

MassDEP's New FAST Lab to Provide Real-Time Data at Emergency Scenes

The latest addition to MassDEP's emergency response capabilities is a sleek, ambulance-like vehicle called "FAST," short for Field Assessment and Support Team. The speed of the vehicle is not its main attraction, however, nor is its boxy-design. The main attraction of FAST is its on-board diagnostic equipment, which has been attracting favorable media attention, and earning laudatory approvals from staff in the MassDEP regional offices during the rollout this fall. 

Once you see it, you'll understand. The FAST vehicle enables MassDEP's first-responders to rapidly test for the presence of air, water and soil contaminants in the field - in real time - rather than haul samples back to the lab. Having this on-scene capability can be critical in protecting the well-being of the public as well as water supply sources, wetlands and other natural resources during emergencies.

• A series of gas chromatographs, to enable in-field, rapid testing of air, water, and soil samples for chemical contaminants;
• An on-board weather station that provides real-time meteorological data to support on-site computer modeling of releases of chemicals to the air, and provides timely information to incident commanders on the need for evacuation and other response actions during emergencies;
• A portable Raman Spectroscopy unit, capable of identifying thousands of chemical substances;
• Radiation detectors;
• Asbestos sampling and test equipment; and
• A series of hand-held meters to monitor explosive gases and other specific chemical vapors that may be present near an emergency scene.

The official unveiling of the FAST vehicle was held in September at the Danvers Fire Department headquarters. This building is located a short 1.5 miles from the Danversport residential neighborhood where two years ago, in the early morning hours of November 22nd,  an ink and paint factory exploded, leveling not just the two factories but severely damaging or destroying 77 nearby homes, three businesses, dozens of boats and injuring 10 people.

Responding to this and other future emergencies that may arise, however, is only part of its mission, and only part of the reason for bringing the FAST vehicle into service.

"This vehicle has a day job," said MassDEP's emergency coordinator John Fitzgerald,  pointing out that the FAST vehicle will not sit idle - waiting for an emergency - but instead will be utilized in day-to-day operations at ongoing cleanups across the Commonwealth.

In addition to the official unveiling, the FAST vehicle has visited MassDEP's regional offices in Worcester on October 3rd, Lakeville on October 14th, and, Springfield on October 17th.  

Providing first-responders at the scene immediate access to testing capabilities helps them quickly respond to rapidly changing conditions during an emergency. Many of the functions now available on the FAST vehicle were previously conducted back at the laboratory, resulting in delays in crucial protective actions.

On-board supplies and equipment are also available to rapidly install and sample groundwater monitoring wells, and, in the event of flooding or sewage spills, to test for the presence of harmful bacteria and other water pollutants.

The FAST vehicle cost approximately $180,000 and was funded from both federal and state sources.

The FAST vehicle is staffed by MassDEP employees from across the Commonwealth, allowing rapid response in all areas of Massachusetts. The vehicle will also be used to investigate environmental release incidents and longer-term field sampling projects.

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