Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).

Last night’s training was on the proper use and care for our Thermal Imaging Camera (“TIC”). I thought one class devoted to the use of a camera was going to be a waste of time. It is a camera with one button. Turn it on. Aim it and view the image. Granted the image is not your typical camera view but it is a picture that leverages heat signature (infra-red rays) and automatically converts to them to a pixel with relative gradation to the surrounding heat signatures.

As simple as it is to use the hands portion proved to be well worth the time. These camera’s are certainly a great addition to the ‘tool’ kit a fire fighter has to use but the main point from last nights lecture on the importance of not letting it be the only tool you rely upon was very clear.

In a simulated search and rescue it certainly can help in finding a warm body but only when the camera is looking in the right direction. Think of reducing your field of vision by 50% (looking through a 50mm photo lens). Great for an outdoor landscape…..tough inside a 15x15 room.

Regardless of that it is a cool tool and can help find hot spots behind walls, body’s (active and unconscious) in an open area (think zero visibility inside a room with black smoke);

Our camera even has the ability to provide pin-point heat reading with fairly strong accuracy. The blue flame from a propane burner was reading 937 degrees F. The face of a fellow fire fighter was at 97 degrees.