Thermal-Imaging Cameras Help Calif. FD Save Lives

COLTON, Calif. -- When Colton firefighters arrived at a car crash one night in the early 2000s, they knew the occupants had been thrown out of the vehicle, but couldn't find them.

With the help of a thermal-imaging camera, they were able to spot the victims in some nearby vegetation and get them to a hospital.

Technology has advanced since then, and with the help of a $7,600 grant from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, firefighters obtained a new infrared camera this month.

"It's an absolutely wonderful asset for the department," said Colton fire Battalion Chief Kevin Valentin.

They've already put the new device to work.

Firefighters battled a blaze at a two-story home in the 500 block of La Cadena

Drive on Oct. 10.

"The fire was in the wall, so we were able to use the camera to make sure the fire didn't extend up the wall to the second floor," said Colton fire Capt. Tony Horn.

Thermal-imaging technology has long been used in the military and law enforcement, and its popularity eventually spread to firefighting.

But Colton's older cameras, weighing about seven pounds apiece, are bulky and prevent a firefighter from doing anything but hold the camera.

The new two-pound model can be held with one hand, has a temperature gauge and shows firefighters how hot a fire is by displaying shades of yellow, orange or red on its screen.

It gives firefighters the ability to see fire through walls, and will help them find victims in burning buildings.

The camera also will help keep firefighters safe while battling blazes.

"If a fire is coming at us, normally we wouldn't be able to see that through the smoke," Horn said.

Despite its advanced abilities, the camera does have its limits. If it's pointed at glass, the camera can give a false reading.

But the ways the camera can be used to fight fires and conduct rescues are invaluable, fire officials said.

"It enables us to get into the fire safer and quicker and helps us find anyone during our search," Horn said.

Copyright 2012 - San Bernardino County Sun, Calif.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service