The ICFD's future Hazardous Materials Past Stories Department History Uniform Personnel Fire Stations Employment Press Releases Links Contact us Webmaster Homepage New Thermal Imaging Cameras By Battalion Chief Ron Stutzman Imagine a fire breaks out in the first floor kitchen of a single-family residence, thick black smoke spreading throughout the entire house. A small child or an elderly person in a second story bedroom becomes disoriented, overcome with smoke, and falls to the floor. The fire department arrives in minutes and is informed the family has escaped. Then they are told that one family member is missing.
Time is critical.
The fire is spreading, the firefighters must find the missing family member quickly or they may die. Thanks to a new device available to the fire service known as a thermal imaging camera. The Iowa City Fire Department has purchased three thermal imaging cameras thanks in part to a generous donation by Russ Gerdin. One camera for each fire station. The thermal imaging camera provides our firefighters and our fire scene commanders an advanced fire and rescue tool by allowing them to see through smoke, to locate and rescue victims, and to attack the seat of the fire thereby reducing property damage and saving lives.