Joseph Gore
Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) in the Fire Service The fire service, as we know it today, has come a long way since its beginning. It began in 24 BC in Rome. One of the first technologies used were a line of men and a few buckets of water, which were used to extinguish the fire. Another of the first technologies was an axe that was used to create holes that would allow heat and smoke to escape from the structure. Compared to the ancient times, today’s technologies have improved tremendously. Today, we have a variety of technology that helps fire fighters extinguish fires and save others’ lives. Now, we have fire trucks, hoses, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), drone planes, computerized technologies, such as mobile data terminals, and thermal imaging cameras. Thermal …show more content…
Many people have the notion that since they have this “special camera”, they are safe from harm. This is a common misunderstanding and possibly wrong-teaching. Although thermal imaging cameras can “see” through some things, it does not “see” through everything. The fire fighter will still have to physically look behind large objects, such as couches, behind shower curtains, under bedding, under water, and behind doors. In the screen, someone who is behind a shower curtain is misinterpreted as only an object that radiates heat but is hardly recognizable as a person. They could easily be looked over or missed. Another downfall of thermal imaging cameras is comparing the fire to the surroundings. In other words, if the victim has been subjected to too much heat, they may appear red. Object recognition is very important when using thermal imaging cameras. Using the cameras, we often believe flashovers, elevation changes, and holes all can be seen. In reality, the cameras cannot detect these things. We also make the assumption that a piece of the building is structurally sound since the camera is able to see it when it may not
Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) in the Fire Service The fire service, as we know it today, has come a long way since its beginning. It began in 24 BC in Rome. One of the first technologies used were a line of men and a few buckets of water, which were used to extinguish the fire. Another of the first technologies was an axe that was used to create holes that would allow heat and smoke to escape from the structure. Compared to the ancient times, today’s technologies have improved tremendously. Today, we have a variety of technology that helps fire fighters extinguish fires and save others’ lives. Now, we have fire trucks, hoses, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), drone planes, computerized technologies, such as mobile data terminals, and thermal imaging cameras. Thermal …show more content…
Many people have the notion that since they have this “special camera”, they are safe from harm. This is a common misunderstanding and possibly wrong-teaching. Although thermal imaging cameras can “see” through some things, it does not “see” through everything. The fire fighter will still have to physically look behind large objects, such as couches, behind shower curtains, under bedding, under water, and behind doors. In the screen, someone who is behind a shower curtain is misinterpreted as only an object that radiates heat but is hardly recognizable as a person. They could easily be looked over or missed. Another downfall of thermal imaging cameras is comparing the fire to the surroundings. In other words, if the victim has been subjected to too much heat, they may appear red. Object recognition is very important when using thermal imaging cameras. Using the cameras, we often believe flashovers, elevation changes, and holes all can be seen. In reality, the cameras cannot detect these things. We also make the assumption that a piece of the building is structurally sound since the camera is able to see it when it may not