A line out of the movie "Top Gun" talked about how the pilots in Vietnam had become too dependent on missiles and had lost their edge that fighter pilots had during WWII and Korea. They had become too dependent on technology!We have had a lot of great tools come our way due to technological advances as well. One of those tools is the Thermal imaging Camera (TIC). This is an incredibly valuable tool for use in locating hot spots, trapped or lost civilians, and of course trapped or lost firefighters. But we also can't become too dependent on technology.
In spite of how good the cameras work, they are still not the answer to all circumstances when doing searches, either for fire or for people.
Discuss the following:
1. The operation of the camera.
2. When you can use it for finding hot spots and sources of fire extension?
3. Use of it in locating people.
4. What other uses do you have for the TIC?
4. Most of all, circumstances when the camera cannot or should not be used to find fire or people.
Talk also about the need to maintain a high level of search skills in various situations. Include a discussion of the differences in searching a residential occupancy vs. commercial occupancy. If for no other reason, what happens if you are depending on the camera and it does not turn on?
(Courtesy of Deputy Fire Chief Coffman)
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First and foremost, the Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) is a tool and not a replacement for search knowledge, skills, and abilities learned prior to receiving the tool.
TICS should only be used with an understanding that they provides an opportunity to see where we would not otherwise be able to see. However, it should not take the place of a properly organized and coordinated search. We should still size up the structure and the floor plan to determine the priority and direction of our search. The plan should be coordinated so all search members are on the same page.
It is easy to follow along looking into a monitor screen and forget which way you came in, how many turns you made, and while you may see all the detail in the view finder, you may be missing the obstacles not picked up in your screen or holes in the floor. You can still trip and fall, even while looking into the camera.
To effectively use a TIC, you must understand the brand you use and how it works. What are all the basic and unique features? Where are all the buttons and dials located? Can I find them and operate them in the dark and with firefighting gloves on? Should I use the camera sling or clip it to my coat? What is more comfortable, more practical, likely to help me versus get in my way? How does heat appear in the view finder? How does the contrast wheel help me narrow my heat sources, especially in areas that remain hot at all times? (Take time to read the manual and practice what you learn)!
TICs may be used to scan the exterior of a structure to find the bulk of the fire or fires and hot spots. This is effective on single level dwellings and can also be effective on mid and high rise buildings, especially when nothing is evident from the exterior. Narrowing our focus gets crew members to the area in question faster and begins to paint our picture of we we've got.
Scanning structural areas of a building for heat can give you an indication of if you are dealing with a contents fire or a structural fire, meaning structural components are now involved and the integrity of the structure is being lost. This is important in keeping our folks out of harms way during potential collapse situations.
TICs are a valuable tool during search and rescue for victims and for downed or trapped firefighters. They can offer clarity in floor layout and escape routes, but you must always pay attention to the environment as if you were searching without a camera. Consider moments when a camera battery dies or the camera turns off due to malfunction. Whenever this happens, you want to be sure you had the presence of mind to conduct your search how you were taught, without the camera.
Is your TIC intrinsically safe? Will it create an ignition source for you during confined space or hazardous materials incidents? Keep in mind that while it is a valuable tool, it too has limitations and there may be some places it should not be used.
Outside of the fire setting, TICs can be used to search for lost, missing or trapped individuals. The cameras pick up on body heat, so whether you are looking for a child in the woods or a cat trapped in a crawl space, it should work.
As for search patterns, there are many we have learned and many tactics and tools that can be used. The best method is one that works effectively and efficiently for your crew on a consistent basis. The only way to know for sure and to keep it routine is to practice routinely. Concentrate on team effort, but also practice individual rescues, since you may end up in a position where you start out as a solo rescuer. Determining if you should use a hand/arm, tool or rope sweep method, go left or right, etc. should be determined by the team. However, always know your priority. For instance, if responding to a single family dwelling at 2 a.m., the priority should be to begin your search at the sleeping areas first, noting the paths of egress. Do not waste valuable time searching low priority areas first. Consider your time of day and type of structure and search accordingly. With mixed work schedules, bedroom areas remain a high priority at all times. If an escaped family member tells you her child was playing in the basement, focus your search there, since the parent is providing you with reasonable information to suggest where the child is.
Depending on the size, residential structures can usually be handled by one to two search crews. Make sure you do not overload a structure with too many firefighters if it is small in size. We tend to just get in each others' way.
For larger floor plans like business and open warehouse areas, etc., consider using tag lines or search ropes. Maintain accuracy on your turns and patterns to ensure you are able to cover as much area as possible.
Regardless of the search pattern or tools you use, always give consideration to the "oriented person" search. This is where one member of the search team maintains orientation and directs the other members in and out of areas to be searched. This person should be equipped with a thermal imaging camera. He/she will direct individuals into areas to search. While they search, he scans further down with the TIC to see what's ahead. As each member returns to the oriented person, he directs them to the next area to search and so on. The oriented person is responsible for keeping the search moving forward, maintaining coordination and communication, and always knowing the exit path. This allows the search members to concentrate on quality searches within the areas they are searching and they are reassured that the oriented member is watching them and will always know the most direct way out. (Make sure you never lose sight of this as the oriented person)!
When fire is extinguished, the TIC can be used for locating fire extension and high heat conditions. Use it to keep an eye on structural areas, like floors, walls, ceilings, and roof areas. Seeing high heat or fire in these areas is indicative of possible structural compromise.
TICs are another tool in our arsenal. Knowing how, when, and where to use them will help us maintain our effectiveness and will keep us from taking its use for granted and getting hurt.
Be Safe!
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