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Notes from a Rookie Firefighter
Notes from a Rookie Firefighter...February 19, 2009
A few nights ago I got to try the thermal imaging camera. When you go to the Academy, they mention the camera when you hit the chapter in the book but the only way you get to try certain pieces of equipment is in the firehouse or at a scene. At a scene is not necessarily the best way to learn something but if it's not busy, it's a good way you can pick up some practical knowledge.
I was lucky enough to be with a volunteer who wants to help me learn, so he showed me how to check for hotspots with the camera. Interestingly enough, we were outside checking for spots. I also got to shovel, shovel and shovel some more. I did get teased about how much I enjoyed that part, and got to work the hose in what I was shovelling. I was taught the S pattern at the Academy, but the other night it was like a light bulb went off why I was doing the S pattern in what I was hosing down.
This may seem soooo rudimentary to some; however, for those of us that are new, the only way you gain situational experience is to have someone on the scene who remembers you need to learn the way to do something that is not covered at the Academy.
I can see this same person becoming a training officer one day. Patience, skill and understanding of one's strengths are to me what makes a good training officer.
A few nights ago I got to try the thermal imaging camera. When you go to the Academy, they mention the camera when you hit the chapter in the book but the only way you get to try certain pieces of equipment is in the firehouse or at a scene. At a scene is not necessarily the best way to learn something but if it's not busy, it's a good way you can pick up some practical knowledge.
I was lucky enough to be with a volunteer who wants to help me learn, so he showed me how to check for hotspots with the camera. Interestingly enough, we were outside checking for spots. I also got to shovel, shovel and shovel some more. I did get teased about how much I enjoyed that part, and got to work the hose in what I was shovelling. I was taught the S pattern at the Academy, but the other night it was like a light bulb went off why I was doing the S pattern in what I was hosing down.
This may seem soooo rudimentary to some; however, for those of us that are new, the only way you gain situational experience is to have someone on the scene who remembers you need to learn the way to do something that is not covered at the Academy.
I can see this same person becoming a training officer one day. Patience, skill and understanding of one's strengths are to me what makes a good training officer.
Add a Comment
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Comment by shawn on February 24, 2009 at 12:14am
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congrats on the new learning experiance. keep up the good work.!!!!!
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Comment by CHRIS on February 23, 2009 at 1:51pm
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The camera can also be used if there are an unknown amount of victims in a vehicle, the seats stay warm for alittle while after the victims are ejected, also it is good for looking for people in the dark in the woods or tall grass. The four sided search is good but the dix sided is better, check the corner of the wall/floor on all four sides of a room, then check the corner between the ceiling and wall on all four sides in case of lofts when searching for victims
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Comment by Paresh Trivedi on February 22, 2009 at 6:31pm
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Inform your fire department abooutt this idea of making money for fellow fire fighters...
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/every-fire-department-or-fire?page=1&commentId=889755%3AComment%3A3489820&x=1#889755Comment3489820
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Comment by Paul Montpetit on February 19, 2009 at 5:07pm
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Here's a little trick I learned at a class recently....if you go to a MVA and have fluids spilled and want to know if it is a hazard (flammable) use your camera....you can actually "see" the vapors coming off of it due to the temperature change...also "shoot" the tanks of diesel trucks as the newer ones that burn the low sulfur fuel have heaters in the tank to preheat the fuel...diesel becomes much easier to ignite when heated...so see, your camera has many more uses that previously noted....Stay safe and remember to always keep the Faith.....Paul
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Comment by Denise Imperiale on February 19, 2009 at 2:18pm
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That's great info Paresh!
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In winter time or in summer time you can use that thermal camera for any from typical house...go around all four sides... & find where are the locations which allows leaking of cold or hot air. Than you fix that spot by insulation and you are saving your money....
All the energy audit technicians do not have luxury of Thermal camera....Fire Department should come out and use this resources for community...
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