Akron firefighters to acquire new imaging units
The Akron Fire Department recently announced that it will soon be buying 10 pieces of new equipment—namely, thermal imaging units.
These units will allow firefighters to see through smoke, and will be paid for by a slight increase in income tax approved by voters in 2017.
Thermal imaging cameras detect heat sources even when the location is obscured by dust, smoke or darkness. This type of advanced technology allows firefighters to find victims in areas where there is little, if any, visibility.
According to Clarence Tucker, the fire chief of Akron, being unable to find someone trapped during a fire because of the smoke or other conditions is one of the worst situations a first responder can face. In these situations, literally every moment counts, so the more quickly firefighters can find and free trapped victims, the better the chance they will survive.
This sophisticated type of equipment can locate hidden flames, as well as hot spots inside walls or structures, which allows the department to identify the main source of a blaze quickly. The technology can also help detect circuits in homes and businesses that are overheating, and could potentially cause a fire.
The city will request bids for the replacement imagers, which cost about $50,000 each.
Improvements like this are important to community members, so officials could work with a flyer printing company to create a letter announcing the upgrade.
These units will allow firefighters to see through smoke, and will be paid for by a slight increase in income tax approved by voters in 2017.
Thermal imaging cameras detect heat sources even when the location is obscured by dust, smoke or darkness. This type of advanced technology allows firefighters to find victims in areas where there is little, if any, visibility.
According to Clarence Tucker, the fire chief of Akron, being unable to find someone trapped during a fire because of the smoke or other conditions is one of the worst situations a first responder can face. In these situations, literally every moment counts, so the more quickly firefighters can find and free trapped victims, the better the chance they will survive.
This sophisticated type of equipment can locate hidden flames, as well as hot spots inside walls or structures, which allows the department to identify the main source of a blaze quickly. The technology can also help detect circuits in homes and businesses that are overheating, and could potentially cause a fire.
The city will request bids for the replacement imagers, which cost about $50,000 each.
Improvements like this are important to community members, so officials could work with a flyer printing company to create a letter announcing the upgrade.