East Lyme — The town will now be home to a mobile communications van for the region, one of six such vehicles statewide that can be deployed for public events or emergencies.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday in support of hosting the vehicle. First Selectman Paul Formica will now sign a memorandum of understanding with the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, a division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Emergency Management Director Richard Morris said the vehicle would be deployed in the region for natural disasters, large events and any manmade issues that could arise from those events. The vehicle brings additional radio assets and would allow operators to report to a unified command system. For example, vehicle operators in Niantic could report back to Hartford, he explained.

The vehicle — to be dispatched when the state requests it — features computers, radios, satellites and night-vision technology.

The state will train volunteer crews for the vehicle and will cover most of the van’s maintenance. The town will provide for the vehicle’s fuel and shelter it in a secure location.

The selectmen, who toured the vehicle before Wednesday’s meeting, agreed that it would be beneficial to the town.