Thursday, August 6, 2009

Future Thermal Imaging Cameras for the Fire Service


Thermal Imaging Cameras (tic) have been in use by the fire service for many years. Early Thermal Imaging Cameras in the fire service were heavy and bulky, needed ample warm-up time, battery life was poor and units were very expensive.
Advancement in thermal imaging camera technology by NASA has benefited the fire service by producing smaller, lightweight, hand held, user friendly Thermal Imaging Cameras. Battery technology has advanced by supplying more power in smaller compact power packs. Research is underway to produce
Thermal Imaging Camera picture displays integrated inside the firefighters' Self Contained Breathing Apparatus face mask.
This future technology would be of great help to firefighters as it would allow them to find the fire and locate victims inside a smoke filled room. The display inside their mask would free up the firefighters hands to carry equipment and rescue victims. Future designs may make the integrated Thermal Imaging Cameras cost effective so each firefighters mask could be equipped with this new technology.

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