Mayday Monday: Thermal Imaging Cameras

The thermal imaging camera (TIC) has become a common component of firefighting personal protective equipment. Gone are the days of a single TIC on the fireground. Today, in some fire departments, every firefighter is equipped with the device. This month we highlight the TIC and how it can enhance our capabilities while fighting fires.

In October 2006, a Baltimore firefighter was killed while battling a rowhouse fire. Units arrived to find a two-story middle-of-the-row dwelling with heavy smoke conditions on both floors. There was also a report of occupants trapped. Firefighter Allan Roberts and his crew rushed inside with hoselines, searching for the fire and anyone trapped. As the crews were looking, conditions changed forcing members to evacuate the building. Roberts ran into and knocked over another firefighter on his way out. Unfortunately, Roberts did not make it out. Rescuers found him with his face piece oﬀ. The cause of death was smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. The NIOSH report included this recommendation.

Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) should be used in a timely manner, and firefighters should be properly trained in their use and be aware of their limitations.-NIOSH F2006-28

What does “properly trained” mean? For such an important tool, and one that can truly enhance our capabilities, the fire service does a poor job training it’s people on how to use it.

Here’s an example of where “proper training” paid oﬀ. On October 5, 2021, the Buckhannon (WV) Fire Department encountered a fire in the center of the small town on its Main Street in a taxpayer-style building that had been built around a late 1800s house. The building consisted of three stories and multiple storefronts. During operations, firefighters encountered a nozzle failure, civilians exiting the building not aware of the fire, and an eventual Mayday. The Mayday firefighter, Captain Joey Baxa, was low on air and disoriented. The events leading up to the mayday provide a cautionary tale of how we can become task saturated and disregard important cues on the fire ground. The actions that led to the successful outcome provide insight into the importance of firefighter resiliency training as well as the value of thermal imaging cameras in the hands of disoriented companies. Check out the below Mayday Monday podcast where Captain Baxa describes this fire and how the TIC helped him

This month’s skill/drill is to practice some TIC basics. Thanks to Insight Training, LLC (Mayday Monday’s oﬃcial TIC training group), we have some videos to illustrate basic TIC techniques.

Skill #1: How to Perform a TIC Scan. This drill can be performed in the firehouse using an oﬃce or bedroom.

Skill #2: TIC Training Series Temperature Modes and TI Basics. For this drill, use a burn barrel or fire pit. Light a fire. Move the camera around the fire and watch it switch modes/sensitivities.