LAFD Deploys New Thermal Imaging Cameras
The Los Angeles Fire Department became the largest municipal fire department in the country to equip every on-duty firefighter with a hand-held, Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).
Previously, the department carried just one, much larger TIC that cost upwards of $10,000 on each fire engine. The new, smartphone sized TIC's cost just $750 and offer firefighters the ability to perform faster search and rescues, execute a self-rescue if needed and locate smoldering hot spots. LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas calls these new TIC's a "game changer" for the department for when they are working in extremely hazardous conditions.
The purchase of 1,000 TIC's for the LAFD was made possible by the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation through the generous support of individual donors and organizations such as the Wasserman Foundation and California Community Foundation.
The new thermal imaging cameras (TIC) are a “game-changer” for the LAFD. They greatly assist firefighters in locating and rescuing trapped fire victims, while increasing firefighter safety.
Los Angeles Fire Department responders will not only be able to utilize the new TICs when entering an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environment such as interior fire attack, search and rescue, and ventilation operations, but also at hazardous material incidents, traffic collisions and wilderness rescues, where scene assessment and the location of victims may be visually obscured by closed containers, enclosed spaces, thick foliage or darkness.
These 1,000 new TICs are one of the most significant technology purchases in LAFD history and a critical component to our “Everyone Goes Home” Initiative.
