OG 4041 Thermal imagine camera

Issued By: OPERATIONS (M. Smith)    
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher
Date of Issue: 2010/04/30

Forms Required:    Bullard Eclipse Thermal Imager Familiarization


PURPOSE: 

To establish a guideline to facilitate the most effective method for deploying Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) in a way that provides the most protection for members. This guideline shall also be utilized in the training of members in the cameras uses, deployment, limitations, operation, and the care and maintenance of the Thermal Imaging Cameras.

OBJECTIVE:

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency members shall utilize Thermal Imagine Cameras in the safest manner to ensure proper care and maintenance.

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies to career and volunteer members of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

PROCEDURE:

Thermal Imaging Camera Uses:

•    Provides safer navigation in a space where there is little or zero visibility due to smoke;
•    Allows fire fighters to see in a zero visibility environments, which is a very useful addition to traditional search techniques;
•    Enables suppression crews to execute a faster, more efficient interior attack, the shortest route to the fires, holes in the floor, and obstacles in the structure can be determined and located more efficiently;
•    Reduces fatigue of interior crews because of efficiency in performing searches and suppression is increased;
•    May be used to determine fluid level within a container, which may be useful during an incident involving hazardous materials;
•    May be used as a search tool to locate lost persons in open wilderness areas.

Operations

When a Thermal Imager is available, the Officer shall ensure that the attack team or other designated team has the thermal imager available to them and ready to be utilized for;

•    Scene of a fire or any other incident where smoke will or could hamper visibility.
•    Operating in the search and rescue mode to aid in the search for victims.

If conditions warrant the use of the camera, Command should be notified that the camera is in use and transmitting (when possible).

Camera operators must be aware that they have a tendency to move faster than the rest of the crew who are operating in zero visibility. The camera operator shall not advance too quickly, as to leave the rest of the crew lost in zero visibility.

Firefighters must remember to stay low even if the camera allows them to see that the majority of the heat is at the ceiling. The possibility of a flashover in the dynamic atmosphere of a structure fire is higher than ever before because of new materials, construction methods and rapid responses. Firefighters must understand that the camera could fail and an escape route must be easily located, either by following a hose line or locating a window or doorway. The thermal imager has the potential to inspire overconfidence because it allows firefighters to see in an environment that in reality has zero visibility. It is imperative that the firefighters remember exactly that.

Operations of the Camera- See Training Section on the Internal Page under Miscellaneous Lessons Bullard Eclipse Thermal Imager Familiarization.

Inspection
•    The camera shall be checked as part of the routine equipment check of the apparatus to which it is assigned.
•    The camera shall be inspected for cleanliness. If any part of the camera is dirty a clean rag dampened with a face piece cleaner or mild soap should be used to clean the camera. Do not use window cleaner to the lense area.
•    Turn the camera on and check for proper operation and then turned off.
•    Return the camera to the fixed charger in the apparatus.

Maintenance
•    Screws on the camera should be checked periodically for tightness.
•    After the camera is used at an incident it should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before it is returned to the charger.
•    If the battery indicates less than a 1/4 of its energy capacity remaining it should be replaced in the Charging unit on the apparatus.

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure used for Thermal Imaging Cameras.