The Canton Fire Department uses Thermal Imaging

Thermal Imaging is the translation of heat into a visual image. Since not all objects have the same temperature (a measure of their heat energy) and thermal imaging is a visual image of a material's heat energy, it is conceivable that we can form a picture of an environment simply by looking at the differences in temperature in a given area. This is what thermal imaging does and how it can benefit the firefighter. When a room is on fire, the fire is giving off great amounts of heat compared with the ambient temperature of other objects in the room. This difference in temperatures is what forms the picture. As it grows, heat and fire gases rise to the ceiling and mushroom out. Some of that heat radiates to other objects in the room. Because all objects do not absorb heat energy at the same rate, even as the fire grows, the differences in temperature are maintained. The thermal imaging device would show differences in temperature, giving the firefighter a visual image. This would remain true until the room reaches flashover, at which time the thermal imaging device would show great amounts of heat for the entire room. The ability to more accurately predict flashover is one of the major advantages of the thermal imaging device.

Until now, the fire service has relied on lights (which had little effect) and ventilation for visibility inside burning structures. Now we have thermal imaging. All too often, the fire service looks for a new tool or technique to solve all of its problems. Thermal imaging is not a tool designed to replace good fireground tactics such as ventilation and search line or to reduce staffing levels. Firefighters using thermal imaging devices should still carry hand lights, use search lines, and follow safe operating practices. Thermal imaging is a tool designed to increase the effectiveness of our present operational methods.

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