By Carl Nix

Firefighters never have a typical day. Think about some of the calls you have responded to over the past two months and I’ll bet most of them didn’t involve fighting a structural fire.

Today’s firefighters respond to motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazmats, false alarms, nontraditional fires, and nonemergency calls. Based on the number of nonfire vs. fire calls, is it that important to carry a thermal imaging camera (TIC) with you? The answer is yes. Let’s look at the benefits of having a TIC with you when responding to nonfire and nontraditional calls.

You may recall hearing this news story from last year: A fisherman’s capsized boat was found along the Hudson River, but there was no sign of the fisherman. The firefighting crew that responded to the emergency call had a TIC when they began their search during the evening hours. The firefighters were using the TIC to scan the water and the shoreline when the screen indicated a heat source. The heat source was indeed the missing fisherman. He swam to shore but was very weak and suffering from hypothermia.

Thankfully, the crew had a TIC and used it correctly to perform this search and rescue. Without it, the crew may have abandoned the search and called in the divers. Using the TIC shaved valuable time off the crew’s search and most likely saved this boater’s life. The crew had the proper TIC training to know that it can’t see into water but can detect a heat source above the water or on land.

1 This thermal image is a recreation of a man lost in a wooded area. The camera is picking up the heat source from the man’s body. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Here’s an example of where a TIC can be a life-saving tool for firefighters who are responding to a nontraditional fire. The use of medical and nonmedical marijuana is growing in the United States, and firefighters must be aware of how to fight fire in a grow operation (“grow op”). There usually is no readily observable sign telling them this is a grow op structure and a potentially dangerous situation. Using a TIC in size-up and understanding basic clues can help minimize the risks of fighting a fire of this nature.

One of the clues firefighters can look for when they suspect a grow op fire is excessive heat emanating from the basement or crawl space areas, ventilation ductwork (dryer), chimney, and roof vents. The massive heat is created by the sodium vapor bulbs used in grow op structures. When investigating or performing fire attack with the TIC, firefighters must be aware of these possible risks not normally encountered in structure fires. Also, be aware of toxic and explosive gases, booby traps, weakened structures, electrocution, entrapment and entanglement, and blocked egress and access. The number one cause of fires in grow ops is electrical. Be sure to have your TIC with you at such fires.

A TIC was used on the West Coast a few years ago to track chemical spills on water. The police search and rescue crew used a TIC to track chemicals that were being dumped into a harbor from a houseboat containing a methamphetamine laboratory. The TIC tracked the chemicals lying on top of the water and followed the trail to the boat that was hiding the meth lab.

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1 This thermal image is a recreation of a man lost in a wooded area. The camera is picking up the heat source from the man’s body. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Here’s an example of where a TIC can be a life-saving tool for firefighters who are responding to a nontraditional fire. The use of medical and nonmedical marijuana is growing in the United States, and firefighters must be aware of how to fight fire in a grow operation (“grow op”). There usually is no readily observable sign telling them this is a grow op structure and a potentially dangerous situation. Using a TIC in size-up and understanding basic clues can help minimize the risks of fighting a fire of this nature.

One of the clues firefighters can look for when they suspect a grow op fire is excessive heat emanating from the basement or crawl space areas, ventilation ductwork (dryer), chimney, and roof vents. The massive heat is created by the sodium vapor bulbs used in grow op structures. When investigating or performing fire attack with the TIC, firefighters must be aware of these possible risks not normally encountered in structure fires. Also, be aware of toxic and explosive gases, booby traps, weakened structures, electrocution, entrapment and entanglement, and blocked egress and access. The number one cause of fires in grow ops is electrical. Be sure to have your TIC with you at such fires.

A TIC was used on the West Coast a few years ago to track chemical spills on water. The police search and rescue crew used a TIC to track chemicals that were being dumped into a harbor from a houseboat containing a methamphetamine laboratory. The TIC tracked the chemicals lying on top of the water and followed the trail to the boat that was hiding the meth lab.

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Alan M. Petrillo

The merger of five township departments in a seven-year period into the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD) meant the department was operating with different brands of extrication equipment on its light and heavy rescue units.

In 2015, the department decided to streamline its hydraulic rescue tools into a single brand for consistency with regard to training, emergency incident use, maintenance, and repair.

IFD Rescue Response

Currently, the IFD has 44 fire stations, with five heavy extrication task forces and eight light extrication task forces. The light extrication task forces comprise an engine and an aerial ladder, with the ladder carrying a Holmatro hydraulic pump, 5240CL spreader, and 5050 cutter. The light teams are trained to the operations level based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

1 The Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department evaluated hydraulic extrication tools from five manufacturers over a three-day period. (Photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Fire Department.)

Each heavy extrication task force has a rescue truck with extrication equipment including two Holmatro hydraulic pumps, a 5240 spreader, 5260 spreader, 5050 cutter, 5050i cutter, 5111 battery-powered combi tool, small pedal cutter, hand pump to operate tools without power units, three different size telescoping rams, V-strut stabilization struts, reciprocating saws, air chisels, saws, various air tools, and hand tools. The heavy teams are trained at the technician level based on NFPA 1006 and 1670. Three of the heavy task forces respond with an engine and an aerial ladder, while two respond with only an aerial ladder.

Kevin C. Jones, special operations chief for Indianapolis, says, “On a typical extrication dispatch, both light and heavy extrication task forces are dispatched, with the heavy unit remaining on the run until the patient is extricated, or they are put to work based on the incident.”

Evaluation Process

To determine which brand of hydraulic tools to equip its task forces with, Indianapolis selected five hydraulic tool vendors to participate in a series of tests and evaluations. The department got the cooperation of Copart Salvage Auto Auctions, Pic-A-Part, and Cook Towing to get 26 vehicles donated for the department’s testing and evaluation exercise. A large part of the Copart property was set aside, and each of the hydraulic rescue tool manufacturers set up shop. Jones says the department took eight key personnel from each of three shifts to test and evaluate each of the rescue tools, giving the IFD input from 24 individuals. “They represented all ranks within the department,” Jones says, “and participated in the three-day process, looking for fit, form, and function of the various tools.”

Read more 277 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Aug 3, 2017 Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department Standardizes on Holmatro Extrication Equipment   Alan M. Petrillo The merger of five township departments in a seven-year period into the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD) meant the department was operating with different brands of extrication equipment on its light and heavy rescue units. In 2015, the department decided to streamline its hydraulic rescue tools into a single brand for consistency with regard to training, emergency incident use, maintenance, and repair. IFD Rescue Response Currently, the IFD has 44 fire stations, with five heavy extrication task forces and eight light extrication task forces. The light extrication task forces comprise an engine and an aerial ladder, with the ladder carrying a Holmatro hydraulic pump, 5240CL spreader, and 5050 cutter. The light teams are trained to the operations level based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents. 1 The Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department evaluated hydraulic extrication tools from five manufacturers over a three-day period. (Photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Fire Department.) Each heavy extrication task force has a rescue truck with extrication equipment including two Holmatro hydraulic pumps, a 5240 spreader, 5260 spreader, 5050 cutter, 5050i cutter, 5111 battery-powered combi tool, small pedal cutter, hand pump to operate tools without power units, three different size telescoping rams, V-strut stabilization struts, reciprocating saws, air chisels, saws, various air tools, and hand tools. The heavy teams are trained at the technician level based on NFPA 1006 and 1670. Three of the heavy task forces respond with an engine and an aerial ladder, while two respond with only an aerial ladder. Kevin C. Jones, special operations chief for Indianapolis, says, “On a typical extrication dispatch, both light and heavy extrication task forces are dispatched, with the heavy unit remaining on the run until the patient is extricated, or they are put to work based on the incident.” Evaluation Process To determine which brand of hydraulic tools to equip its task forces with, Indianapolis selected five hydraulic tool vendors to participate in a series of tests and evaluations. The department got the cooperation of Copart Salvage Auto Auctions, Pic-A-Part, and Cook Towing to get 26 vehicles donated for the department’s testing and evaluation exercise. A large part of the Copart property was set aside, and each of the hydraulic rescue tool manufacturers set up shop. Jones says the department took eight key personnel from each of three shifts to test and evaluate each of the rescue tools, giving the IFD input from 24 individuals. “They represented all ranks within the department,” Jones says, “and participated in the three-day process, looking for fit, form, and function of the various tools.” Read more 649 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious5846584758485849585058515852585358545855NextLast Theme picker Filter News Catagories Categories News (193) RSS Expand/Collapse Washington News (11847) RSS Expand/Collapse National News (11518) RSS Expand/Collapse WFC News (109) RSS Expand/Collapse Legislative Announcements (7) RSS Expand/Collapse Flag Lowerings (15) RSS Expand/Collapse Memorial Information (24) RSS Expand/Collapse Sections (6) RSS Expand/Collapse Emergency Medical Services (1) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Administrative Support (17) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Mechanics (19070) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Training Safety & Officers (25) RSS Expand/Collapse Public Fire Educators (4) RSS Expand/Collapse HazMat Committee (0) RSS Expand/Collapse Filter to see National, Washington or WFC News, or filter to the Section News you are looking for! Search News Articles Search Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM