By Carl Nix

I recently read a news story about a team of firefighters who used a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to locate and rescue a fisherman whose boat had capsized. As I read this story, it became clear to me that these firefighters were well-trained in the use of thermal imaging technology and used that training knowhow during this rescue.

As I’ve said previously, a TIC cannot see underwater, but it can detect heat sources above the water. The firefighters who were conducting this TIC search knew that. As the firefighters scanned the water and the shoreline, their TIC screen showed a “white” speck, indicating some sort of heat source. The firefighters followed that speck, which led them to the fisherman, who had made it to shore. The fisherman is a very lucky man that these firefighters immediately thought to use the TIC to find him. According to the fire chief, it was cold and dark outside, making it extremely difficult to conduct a search. In fact, the fire department feared the worst and was in the process of calling in divers to begin searching the water. Under these extreme conditions, the TIC helped to save this man’s life.

These firefighters had the forethought to use the TIC and, most importantly, understood the technology to investigate the “white” speck they saw on the TIC’s screen. TICs are becoming more common in fire departments now that this tool is better understood by the fire service and much more affordable to purchase. Thermal imaging technology is not only for fighting fires but for emergency incidents that firefighters respond to every day. Let’s look at using a TIC in nonfire applications.

1 A thermal image of a car seat showing hot spots. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Motor vehicle accidents happen every day, but how often do firefighters use a TIC when responding to them? When arriving on the scene, it’s critical to determine how many people were in the vehicle prior to the accident to account for all occupants. Use the TIC to check the automobile seats for hot spots to determine how many people were in the car. A TIC cannot see through glass, so be sure to open or remove the vehicle’s door or window before you scan. Don’t scan just one seat; scan multiple seats at the same time for comparative purposes, since your TIC will show residual heat. Look for contrasting heat signatures.

Recently, a firefighter shared with me an incident that occurred at night where a motorist lost control of his automobile and hit a tree at a high speed. On arrival, firefighters found the driver unconscious inside the car and the passenger door open. They used the TIC to scan the inside of the car. The image on the TIC screen indicated a hot spot on the passenger’s seat. Knowing this, the crew used the TIC to scan the area and found a second victim several feet away from the accident.

2 This thermal image shows heat signatures from a car’s tire and brakes.

I am often asked, how long will the thermal contrast remain after a person has left the seat? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, but you can typically count on 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the outside temperature, humidity, the seat and clothing materials, and the amount of time the person was sitt

By Carl Nix

I recently read a news story about a team of firefighters who used a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to locate and rescue a fisherman whose boat had capsized. As I read this story, it became clear to me that these firefighters were well-trained in the use of thermal imaging technology and used that training knowhow during this rescue.

As I’ve said previously, a TIC cannot see underwater, but it can detect heat sources above the water. The firefighters who were conducting this TIC search knew that. As the firefighters scanned the water and the shoreline, their TIC screen showed a “white” speck, indicating some sort of heat source. The firefighters followed that speck, which led them to the fisherman, who had made it to shore. The fisherman is a very lucky man that these firefighters immediately thought to use the TIC to find him. According to the fire chief, it was cold and dark outside, making it extremely difficult to conduct a search. In fact, the fire department feared the worst and was in the process of calling in divers to begin searching the water. Under these extreme conditions, the TIC helped to save this man’s life.

These firefighters had the forethought to use the TIC and, most importantly, understood the technology to investigate the “white” speck they saw on the TIC’s screen. TICs are becoming more common in fire departments now that this tool is better understood by the fire service and much more affordable to purchase. Thermal imaging technology is not only for fighting fires but for emergency incidents that firefighters respond to every day. Let’s look at using a TIC in nonfire applications.

1 A thermal image of a car seat showing hot spots. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Motor vehicle accidents happen every day, but how often do firefighters use a TIC when responding to them? When arriving on the scene, it’s critical to determine how many people were in the vehicle prior to the accident to account for all occupants. Use the TIC to check the automobile seats for hot spots to determine how many people were in the car. A TIC cannot see through glass, so be sure to open or remove the vehicle’s door or window before you scan. Don’t scan just one seat; scan multiple seats at the same time for comparative purposes, since your TIC will show residual heat. Look for contrasting heat signatures.

Recently, a firefighter shared with me an incident that occurred at night where a motorist lost control of his automobile and hit a tree at a high speed. On arrival, firefighters found the driver unconscious inside the car and the passenger door open. They used the TIC to scan the inside of the car. The image on the TIC screen indicated a hot spot on the passenger’s seat. Knowing this, the crew used the TIC to scan the area and found a second victim several feet away from the accident.

2 This thermal image shows heat signatures from a car’s tire and brakes.

I am often asked, how long will the thermal contrast remain after a person has left the seat? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, but you can typically count on 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the outside temperature, humidity, the seat and clothing materials, and the amount of time the person was sitt

By Carl Nix

I recently read a news story about a team of firefighters who used a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to locate and rescue a fisherman whose boat had capsized. As I read this story, it became clear to me that these firefighters were well-trained in the use of thermal imaging technology and used that training knowhow during this rescue.

As I’ve said previously, a TIC cannot see underwater, but it can detect heat sources above the water. The firefighters who were conducting this TIC search knew that. As the firefighters scanned the water and the shoreline, their TIC screen showed a “white” speck, indicating some sort of heat source. The firefighters followed that speck, which led them to the fisherman, who had made it to shore. The fisherman is a very lucky man that these firefighters immediately thought to use the TIC to find him. According to the fire chief, it was cold and dark outside, making it extremely difficult to conduct a search. In fact, the fire department feared the worst and was in the process of calling in divers to begin searching the water. Under these extreme conditions, the TIC helped to save this man’s life.

These firefighters had the forethought to use the TIC and, most importantly, understood the technology to investigate the “white” speck they saw on the TIC’s screen. TICs are becoming more common in fire departments now that this tool is better understood by the fire service and much more affordable to purchase. Thermal imaging technology is not only for fighting fires but for emergency incidents that firefighters respond to every day. Let’s look at using a TIC in nonfire applications.

1 A thermal image of a car seat showing hot spots. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Motor vehicle accidents happen every day, but how often do firefighters use a TIC when responding to them? When arriving on the scene, it’s critical to determine how many people were in the vehicle prior to the accident to account for all occupants. Use the TIC to check the automobile seats for hot spots to determine how many people were in the car. A TIC cannot see through glass, so be sure to open or remove the vehicle’s door or window before you scan. Don’t scan just one seat; scan multiple seats at the same time for comparative purposes, since your TIC will show residual heat. Look for contrasting heat signatures.

Recently, a firefighter shared with me an incident that occurred at night where a motorist lost control of his automobile and hit a tree at a high speed. On arrival, firefighters found the driver unconscious inside the car and the passenger door open. They used the TIC to scan the inside of the car. The image on the TIC screen indicated a hot spot on the passenger’s seat. Knowing this, the crew used the TIC to scan the area and found a second victim several feet away from the accident.

2 This thermal image shows heat signatures from a car’s tire and brakes.

I am often asked, how long will the thermal contrast remain after a person has left the seat? It’s hard to pinpoint exactly, but you can typically count on 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the outside temperature, humidity, the seat and clothing materials, and the amount of time the person was sitt

By Robert Tutterow

This column is more about apparatus bays. As stated in my previous column, they are the common denominator of fire stations across the globe. How can you have a station without them? This column will focus on a huge health issue for firefighters: diesel exhaust.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, states: “The fire department shall prevent exposure to firefighters and contamination of living and sleeping areas to exhaust emissions.”

Diesel Exhaust

In addition to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have declared human exposure to diesel exhaust a potential occupational carcinogenic (cancer-causing) hazard through toxicological studies. Much of the diesel exhaust is invisible, including the smaller soot particles. This means that exposure cannot always be detected. Furthermore, diesel exhaust can penetrate clothing, furniture, and other items with which firefighters have routine contact and later be absorbed into the skin.

Yet, many fire stations across the country have no method to reduce these carcinogens. Even though there are many variations in system configurations, practically any station can be retrofitted.

System Types

There are four systems on the market:

Source Capture Hose System: This hose system consists of an automatic disconnect nozzle that allows the vehicle to drive into and out of the station with the hose still attached. The hose disconnects from the vehicle and retracts into the bay as the vehicle leaves the station. There is an automatic activation with an inline pressure switch that automatically activates an exhaust fan to expel the captured exhaust to the exterior of the station. This system is only as effective as firefighters’ commitment to always connect the hose.

Source Capture Onboard System: The onboard system is mounted underneath the apparatus and integrated into the vehicle exhaust system. The system is about the size of a five-gallon bucket. It is an automatic and self-contained system that does not require a hose to be connected to the tailpipe. It automatically engages when the engine starts and when the apparatus is put in reverse. There is an override to activate the system while idling on the scene. The newer system for apparatus manufactured after 2007 activates immediately at cold start and low idle-both in the station and on scene. The system has a filter that has to be replaced. Busy metropolitan agencies report filter replacement is necessary approximately every 12 months. Some volunteer departments report the filter lasting close to 10 years.

Filtration Systems: For the best healthy air environment in the bay, one of the above described source capture systems as well as a filtration system should be used. The filtration system will capture off-gassing of other contaminated equipment brought into fire stations, such as fire hose, salvage covers, and PPE, that cannot be captured by a source capture. Current filtration systems recirculate heated air, and some offer photocatalytic oxidizers to help kill airborne bacteria and viruses. Filtration systems do not have hanging hoses, but their HEPA filters need replacing.

Mechanical Exhaust: This is the most inexpensive system, but it is not source capture and requires radiant heat to prevent heat loss unless you live in a very warm winter climate.

Two-System Rationale

Why am I suggesting two systems? It is simple. Cancer is an epidemic