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Fire departments add thermal imaging camera

By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
An initiative to equip all Portage County fire departments with thermal imaging cameras will give them a tool to help locate people in smoke-filled homes, firefighters say.

"It helps locate potential victims in a fire," said Deputy Chief Stephen Koback of the Stevens Point Fire Department. "In a smoke-filled building, we'd be able to find them a lot quicker."

When dense black smoke fills a room from ceiling to floor, firefighters have to crawl on their hands and knees and feel their way through unfamiliar buildings as they search for people, Koback said. The camera shows the difference in heat of objects, allowing firefighters to "see" through the smoke.

The Thermal Imaging Fund for Portage County bought its first camera in July, said Jodi Baganz, paramedic/firefighter at the Stevens Point Fire Department. A camera costs about $14,000.

On behalf of the Stevens Point Classic Car Show, Dave Suchon of Dave's Body Shop donated $2,500 towards the fund on Monday, Aug. 24.
"It's cheap if you can save one life," said Suchon, who earlier donated $250 of his own money.

With the Classic Car Show donation, the fund is about $2,900 short of purchasing its second camera. The goal is to purchase a total of 10 cameras in two years, which would be enough for every department in the county, Baganz said.

"We just want to get everybody a camera," Baganz said. "I've seen them in use in other places and they've done nothing but good."

The Portage County Sheriff's Department will house the first camera, Baganz said. When fire departments request it, the Sheriff's Department shift commander will take it to the scene.

During a demonstration at The Gazette, the camera was sensitive enough to show the image of a person's reflection on a window. It also could tell where people had recently sat.

When someone asks Baganz what it is like to go into a home during a fire, he gives a standard answer.

"I want you to go to a house you've never been to before, go to the front door, close your eyes, go inside and try to find something when you don't know what you're looking for," Baganz said.

Law enforcement officers can use the camera to find people who are either missing or hiding, Baganz said. Using the camera, Stevens Point firefighters were able to see the image of another firefighter standing about 60 yards away from them in the woods behind Station No. 2.

Donations for purchasing thermal imaging cameras can be made at the Stevens Point Wal-Mart or mailed to Thermal Imaging Fund for Portage County, 1608 West River Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481.



	Fire departments add thermal imaging camera By BRIAN LEAHY of The Gazette An initiative to equip all Portage County fire departments with thermal imaging cameras will give them a tool to help locate people in smoke-filled homes, firefighters say. "It helps locate potential victims in a fire," said Deputy Chief Stephen Koback of the Stevens Point Fire Department. "In a smoke-filled building, we'd be able to find them a lot quicker." When dense black smoke fills a room from ceiling to floor, firefighters have to crawl on their hands and knees and feel their way through unfamiliar buildings as they search for people, Koback said. The camera shows the difference in heat of objects, allowing firefighters to "see" through the smoke. The Thermal Imaging Fund for Portage County bought its first camera in July, said Jodi Baganz, paramedic/firefighter at the Stevens Point Fire Department. A camera costs about $14,000. On behalf of the Stevens Point Classic Car Show, Dave Suchon of Dave's Body Shop donated $2,500 towards the fund on Monday, Aug. 24. "It's cheap if you can save one life," said Suchon, who earlier donated $250 of his own money. With the Classic Car Show donation, the fund is about $2,900 short of purchasing its second camera. The goal is to purchase a total of 10 cameras in two years, which would be enough for every department in the county, Baganz said. "We just want to get everybody a camera," Baganz said. "I've seen them in use in other places and they've done nothing but good." The Portage County Sheriff's Department will house the first camera, Baganz said. When fire departments request it, the Sheriff's Department shift commander will take it to the scene. During a demonstration at The Gazette, the camera was sensitive enough to show the image of a person's reflection on a window. It also could tell where people had recently sat. When someone asks Baganz what it is like to go into a home during a fire, he gives a standard answer. "I want you to go to a house you've never been to before, go to the front door, close your eyes, go inside and try to find something when you don't know what you're looking for," Baganz said. Law enforcement officers can use the camera to find people who are either missing or hiding, Baganz said. Using the camera, Stevens Point firefighters were able to see the image of another firefighter standing about 60 yards away from them in the woods behind Station No. 2. Donations for purchasing thermal imaging cameras can be made at the Stevens Point Wal-Mart or mailed to Thermal Imaging Fund for Portage County, 1608 West River Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481.