Training firefighters is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Today, our fire service is changing, as we find ourselves responding more to medical emergencies than fighting fires.

We continue to embrace technology, albeit cautiously, as we look for tools to help us perform our jobs more effectively and safely. Improvements have been made to equipment including halligan bars and ladders. We are now equipping emergency medical technicians and paramedics with portable ultrasound devices and handheld portable blood analyzers. The fire service is even looking into virtual reality training.

Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) have certainly come a long way as well, from the large, heavy models to ergonomically designed lighter models that attach to a firefighter’s turnout gear to TICs that are equipped in a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus face piece. With all these advances, we are a safer fire service.

My instincts as a firefighter have come from years of fighting fires and experiencing close calls that could have ended tragically. Those instincts were formed before the TIC was a firefighting tool. My instincts come from training, experience, and never feeling overconfident when responding to a fire call. I have learned to always expect the unexpected. With all the latest technology in the fire service, the TIC may be the one tool that can cause firefighters to feel overconfident and make mistakes. Let’s look at a couple of instances where a TIC can give firefighters a false sense of security.

There is proof that the use of thermal imaging technology in the fire service makes our jobs safer. It allows us to move faster through the structure and see where we normally couldn’t see. Trapped victims have been saved from burning structures because the TIC has given firefighters the sight to identify victims through the smoke and quickly escape a dangerous situation. The speed at which the crew can move is greatly increased because of the use of thermal imaging. When training to be a firefighter, one of the first tactics taught is right-hand and left-hand search patterns to find the egress points. This is a critical tactic. Using this tactic is often abandoned, however, when firefighters are equipped with a TIC.

Always keep in mind that the TIC is there to guide. What if the TIC gets dropped or lost? Firefighters must always be aware of their reference points to escape a dangerous situation.

It’s also important to be aware of the speed with which the crew is traveling when using a TIC. The firefighter with the TIC tends to move faster and can lose sight of his crew. It’s critical to always remember t