Date: Fri 18-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Hook-Ladder-thermal-camera

Full Text:

A New Weapon For Hook & Ladder's Firefighting Arsenal

(with cut)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The Newtown Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company has a new weapon in its

firefighting arsenal -- a thermal imaging camera which allows firefighters to

see objects clearly through smoke and darkness.

Housed in a rugged yellow polycarbonate body, the lightweight, easy-to-use

camera allows firefighters to inspect fire scenes, viewing objects that would

be otherwise obscured by smoke and the cover of darkness.

Fire Chief Dave Ober, First Assistant Chief Milt Adams, and Second Assistant

Chief Corey Robinson explained the use of the thermal imaging camera at the

Hook and Ladder firehouse Tuesday.

At a recent demonstration in a lower garage bay at the firehouse, users of the

device were able to clearly see objects through the viewfinder although the

garage bay had been filled with a synthetically-based smoke used for fire

training purposes.

Firefighters have taken the device on fire calls since acquiring it last

summer.

A primary use of the camera is to scan building interiors to find the

otherwise unseen victims of fires and locate people who have become overcome

by smoke. The Argus thermal imaging camera will let firefighters quickly and

safely search burning buildings, Chief Ober said.

The camera can detect "hot spots" to learn whether there is a fire behind a

wall.

Also, the camera can be used to help firefighters locate people in outdoor

searches, he said.

Unlike conventional cameras which "see" images created by light, the Argus

"sees" images created by heat.

In Greek mythology, "Argus" is a giant with a hundred eyes. It is a term that

commonly means "alert watchman."

Palmprints

Chief Ober demonstrated the thermal capabilities of the Argus by placing his

palms face down on a tabletop. He then lifted his palms from the table.

The image of the tabletop in the viewfinder of the camera contained two

"palmprints," although those palmprints weren't visible to the naked eye.

The palmprints visible in the viewfinder indicated the area of the tabletop

which had been warmed by Chief Ober's hands.

The thermal camera purchased by Newtown Hook and Ladder was a demonstration

model which the fire company acquired for a very low price, Chief Ober said.

A new Argus camera typically is priced at "the cost of a small car," he said,

adding the fire company was able to buy the camera for significantly less than

that.

The camera is powered by eight "AA" batteries, a type of battery that is

universally available.

"It's very sensitive," said Mr Robinson, pointing out that the thermal camera

detects tiny differences in heat levels.

"It actually reads a temperature difference...The technology is fantastic.

Smoke won't show up on it. But you can see the thermal layering of the room,"

he said.

"As far as you can see, it can see," he said of the device's great depth of

field of vision.

All of the Hook and Ladder Company's personnel has been trained to use the

thermal camera.

The Argus is carried on Hook and Ladder's ladder truck, Chief Ober said.

"This will become the next best thing to water," Mr Adams observed.

"Every fire district should have one of these," Chief Ober added.

According to Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead, Sandy Hook firefighters have

been conducting a fund drive to buy a thermal camera. Sandy Hook firemen have

been reviewing different versions of thermal cameras to learn which camera

best meets their needs, he said.