News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Baxter Fire Department is purchasing a thermal imaging camera after being awarded a Foundation for Rural Services grant Tuesday.
Fire Chief Matthew White said the $5,000 camera will give fire fighters an edge when entering smoke filled buildings.
“It gives us a digital picture of what is in the room even though the room may be filled with smoke, toxic gases, whatever,” White said. “It gives a picture where we can walk through and look and helps us to seek out and find victims faster.”
White said the new camera is highly needed since parts for the department’s old camera are unavailable. The new technology will be a part of each Baxter fire call starting January.
“The technology comes out increases every year to make those cameras better and more valuable for us to be able to see,” White said. “The technology has been around for years. It is something that we have been looking at. It is going to help us tremendously. We use it quite frequently.”
One quality of the camera White is excited for is the versatility. White said thermal imaging can be used in a wide range of emergency situations.
“We will use it on a lot of calls that we go on,” White said. “Whether it is going to be a fire, searching for a victim, trying to locate a scene to a fire, even hazmat response.”
The Foundation for Rural Services gave 23 grants totaling $104,000 to advance the quality of life and enable economic development in communities served by members of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association.
