Thermal Imaging Carl Nix

It’s hard to believe in 2018 that there are fire departments that don’t own a thermal imaging camera (TIC), considering that the technology has been in the fire service for nearly 20 years.

When you look at the statistics and realize that more than 75 percent of fire departments in this country are volunteer, you can begin to understand why many of these departments don’t own a TIC. They simply can’t afford to buy one.

With the benefits of thermal imaging technology so widely known, many fire departments have made purchasing a TIC a priority and have turned to grant assistance programs for purchasing this vital tool. Manufacturers have dropped their prices for this technology considerably, with many TICs being priced under $5,500, making the tool much more affordable for fire departments.

There are, however, many volunteer departments that can’t afford the $5,500 price tag for a TIC. In fact, many of our small volunteer fire departments depend on their volunteer firefighters to put fuel in their trucks. Clearly, they cannot afford to purchase a TIC. The fact is that many fire departments have no other choice but to rely on grant assistance or fundraisers to purchase their first TIC or to replace an existing TIC that is equipped with yesterday’s technology. No other piece of equipment will contribute more to saving lives than the TIC.

1 Invite your local media for a TIC demonstration at the firehouse to help raise awareness of thermal imaging technology. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

Let’s start by exploring the possibilities of applying for a grant. The most popular grant for the fire service is the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which is regulated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Many fire departments apply for an AFG but not all receive funding. What if your department gets rejected? There are other grant options. The Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company that administers a local grant program called the Fireman’s Heritage Fund can be accessed by nearly any department in the country. Applying for a grant is a long process, and often you are one of many deserving departments in need of grant assistance. The process can be long and frustrating. Don’t give up. Many small volunteer departments have successfully purchased TICs through grant assistance programs.

If you have tried applying for a grant and have not been successful, think about enlisting the aid of a corporate sponsor. Your local banks, hospitals, civic organizations, and utility companies are good sources of sponsorship opportunities. Many civilians are not aware of the benefits of thermal imaging technology for firefighters, but once they understand this life-saving technology they are willing to make the investment. When asking for a corporate sponsor, stress that the reason for investing in a TIC is to enhance the safety of the town’s f