Racing against time, our volunteer firefighters now search burning buildings on their hands and knees – groping their way through blinding smoke to find unconscious victims. Now a new technology can enable us to see through smoke, cutting search time by more than 75%, increasing our chances of saving lives.

What are Some Ways Firefighters Use Thermal Imaging ?

• Firefighter Safety – Thermal imagers enable fire officials to identify        hazards, manage personnel accountability, identify emergency egress points and evaluate structural integrity. 
• Sizeup – Thermal imagers allow firefighters to find the source of the fire quickly, helping them save lives and limit property damage.
• Fire Attack – Thermal imagers help incident commanders intelligently allocate resources at a fire and to quickly get water on the fire, not just on the smoke.
• Search and Rescue – Without thermal imagers, firefighters crawl through burning buildings, groping in blinding smoke for unconscious victims. With thermal imagers, firefighters can scan a room in seconds.
• Ventilation – Firefighters can safely identify areas of extreme heat, so they can be ventilated, reducing the chances of backdraft or flashover. Windows and doors can also be quickly identified in zero visibility, allowing firefighters to quickly vent a structure as they move through it.
• Overhaul – After the fire has been put out, firefighters can scan the fireground in seconds to locate hot spots that might re-ignite. Using a thermal imager, overhaul can be done in 75% less time.
• Training – Using transmitter systems, incident commanders can observe in real time and videotape at the scene. Videotapes can be used for review and teaching later.
• HazMat – Firefighters can identify sources and movement of contaminants and determine liquid levels   in containers. This helps them to manage hazardous materials spills and other incidents more effectively.
• Wildland Firefighting – Using thermal imagers, firefighters can quickly scan large areas for hot spots, aiding them in getting the fire under control quickly.