Firefighter and civillian safety is a top priority for Shrewsbury Volunteers. With the assistance of a Pa state grant for $15,000 we were able to place in service $18,000 worth of firefighting technology. Shrewsbury Volunteers placed in service two handheld thermal imaging cameras as well as ten self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mounted thermal imagers.
Thermal imaging cameras have been in service with Shrewsbury Volunteers for the past 20 years. The devices can “see” through smoke and behind walls to see heat signatures of trapped people or fire inside walls. This technology allows our personnel to quickly locate trapped civillians in a home. We also can see where fire is behind walls or in ceilings which allows us to open the proper area of a home and reduce unnecessary damage to homes.
We have carried 3 handheld cameras for many years on our engines and heavy rescue. Today, we now carry 13 cameras. We carry 3 handheld units on the fire trucks as well as 10 on assigned SCBA. The handheld units are available for the officer to use. The SCBA mounted imagers allow the first-in firefighters immediate access to thermal imaging technology to assist in fire attack. Firefighters can “see” heat signatures as they advance towards the fire in smokey conditions. This will assist in keeping them safer knowing where heavy heat conditions are. They also allow the attack crews to see victims in smoke. Efficiency is increased which keeps our people safer.
Shrewsbury Volunteers wish to thank the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for keeping the grants to fire departments alive. Together with our representatives and senators this is an extremely valuable asset to volunteer fire/rescue/ems departments.
MSA G-1 breathing apparatus with thermal imaging shoulder mounted console
FLIR K65 hand held thermal imaging camera
