BURRILLVILLE – It is considered essential equipment for first responders, and will allow firefighters to locate casualties and hazards in total darkness, smoke, fog and fire.
The Harrisville Fire Department recently received two FLIR K-65 Thermal Imaging Cameras with apparatus mount chargers costing $16,000. The cameras were acquired through a grant from The Leary Firefighters Foundation, and will help emergency responders in future rescues, and in their fight to limit property damages during a blaze.
The foundation, founded in 2000, provides funding and resources for fire departments to acquire the best available equipment, technology and training necessary for the health and safety of firefighters and in turn, the public they serve. Created by actor Denis Leary in response to the 1999 Cold Storage Warehouse fire tragedy in his native Worcester, Mass., LFF has since raised more than $10 million for first responders.
The thermal imagers are considered to be an essential tool, used not only by firefighters, but also law enforcement, marine safety and home land security, according to Harrisville Deputy Chief Marcel Fontenault.
“They are extremely powerful tools that can be used by firefighters and emergency personnel in the fight against increased property damage as well as rescue of human life,” Fontenault explained. “The use of thermal cameras offers firefighters a tactical, search and positioning advantage.”
The handheld cameras measure surface temperature, and temperature differential of surrounding areas, allowing observation and location of impending fire damage as well as human life.
“This increases the probability of locating injured or hidden civilian or firefighter casualties in a fire as well as locating the source of high temperature and possible danger to structure and property,” Fontenault said.
The new equipment will now be on all first run trucks, allowing the department to use a camera in first in hose line, and search and rescue teams.
“This will increase the overall safety of our firefighters by using this technology to aid in providing a more expeditious search and rescue of the building occupants and in the very unfortunate circumstance of locating and rescuing missing or trapped firefighters,” said Fontenault. “This technology is a must for all fire departments.”
The department thanked the foundation for the award.
