Saving Lives

SEBRING - Thermal imaging cameras have changed the way firefighters fight fire, and now every fire truck in the city of Sebring is equipped with one.

"We can now ensure for every call in the city we have this tool available," said Fire Chief Brad Batz. "Any entry firefighter will have this tool available for search and rescue."

Firefighters actually have the camera in hand before they even pick up a hose.

The screen generates thermal images of the fire scene, which are illuminated in various colors, even in the dark. Body heat can be detected, helping firefighters find victims, and fires can even be found through walls.

The department previously only had one thermal imaging camera, which was purchased four years ago through a grant.

"We rotate the trucks between our downtown station and substation (on U.S. 27)," Batz said. "So if we get a call downtown and the truck with the camera is at the substation, we have to go into the fire, where you have zero visibility and search blind for the victims."

Now a camera is mounted on each of the three trucks that respond to fires, aiding significantly with search and rescue.

"These cameras allow you to see through smoke and go straight to the victim much quicker," Batz said. "When you are talking about victims in a fire, every second counts."

They also help firefighters find fires that may be hidden inside walls or ceiling.

"Before we would have to tear down a wall to search for hidden fires or hot spots," Batz said. "Now we can scan a wall and find problems without doing any damage."

Sebring Deputy Chief Tom Dunn said the cameras also aid in the search of multi-story buildings and checking levels of hazardous materials.

Law enforcement can even use the cameras to track suspects because footprints are illuminated on the camera.

Dunn said the cameras are the best invention he has seen during his 30-year career in firefighting.

"This is probably the best technical advance in terms of safety because it speeds things up considerably," Dunn said. "To see something like this come along and be affordable for a department our size is a real benefit to us and the public."

When the department purchased the first camera in 2003, it cost about $15,000, which they afforded with help from a grant. Just last month, the department purchased two for a total of $12,406, which was included in the city's 2007-08 budget.

Batz said he would like to eventually purchase antennas that attach to the cameras and transmit the image on the screen to a laptop, which the commander can watch from outside the fire.