EF&P Magazine, June 2005
Using Thermal Imaging in Fire and Police Work
For Improved Effectiveness and Safety
Co-Authored by Gary Simpson and Jeff Lord

Thermal imagers in the fire service have advanced from “nice to have” equipment to “must have” equipment. Even the smallest fire departments are striving to acquire the technology, which they recognize is key to making them more effective in tracking and extinguishing fires, conducting search and rescue operations, and seeing structural dangers before they cause injuries and deaths to firefighters. In short, the fire service around the world has come to recognize that thermal imaging saves lives and property.

Law enforcement agencies are rapidly recognizing the value of the technology as well, seeing thermal imaging as a tool that enhances their ability to conduct lowlight or no-light operations, capture fugitives, and detect threats on the job.

This article briefly describes the most prominent uses for thermal imaging in firefighting and law enforcement, with visuals that describe how thermal imagers can be used in each application.

FIREFIGHTING APPLICATIONS FOR TI
All objects have a certain temperature and emit waves of energy called infrared radiation. Hot objects emit more energy than cold objects. A thermal imager converts these invisible energy waves into a viewable image, which shows a “heat picture” of a scene. On the display of a thermal imager, hotter objects show as white, cooler objects show as black, and objects in between these temperatures are displayed in shades of gray. Following are key applications for thermal imaging in firefighting.

Size-Up
The thermal imager can give firefighters important information early at an incident during sizeup, which can help them develop a better plan for mitigation. At a structure fire, the thermal imager may help identify the location of the fire or the extent of fire involvement prior to firefighters being committed into the structure. At non-fire incidents, thermal imagers can help verify the number of victims at a vehicle collision.

This image shows extensive fire and heat already well-developed in the ceiling space, as well as in the right side of the building. This helps firefighters deploy resources safely and appropriately.

Fire Attack
Just as in size-up, thermal imagers provide information to the fire attack crew that they did not previously have due to poor visibility and building construction. Using this information, firefighters can immediately direct water to the seat of the fire and ensure that their hose streams are working effectively. A thermal imager can also help firefighters locate and isolate hidden fires, such as electrical fires behind walls.

This image shows how a fire can spread behind a wall and race up to the attic. Without a thermal imager, firefighters may not find this fire until it spreads into the attic and breaks out as a raging fire. Finding the fire earlier helps reduce property loss and damage.

Search & Rescue
Of all the operations in which thermal imaging can improve a firefighter’s efforts, this technology has the most dramatic impact on search and rescue. Without a thermal imager, firefighters search burning buildings by crawling on their hands and knees and moving through blinding smoke to find unconscious victims. Recovery rates in these operations are low, since firefighters are forced to rely on physical contact alone to locate victims. Firefighters using thermal imagers can see the scene, which enables them to quickly navigate and identify victims. In addition to allowing firefighters to see through smoke in burning structures, thermal imagers enable first responders to see in the dark to find victims who are lost or in danger.

A person lost in the woods or ejected from a motor vehicle can be difficult to locate at night. However, this image shows that the person’s body heat is quickly detected by the thermal imager, guiding rescuers promptly to the proper location.

Ventilation
Firefighters can use thermal imagers to identify areas of heat accumulation, possible ventilation points, and significant building construction features. This helps ensure proper and effective ventilation that successfully removes smoke and heat from a building. Ventilation reduces the chances of backdraft or flashover, while possibly giving trapped victims a few more valuable seconds to be found. Identification of superheated gases also helps keep firefighters safer.

This image shows the superheated gases (white cloud) being ventilated from a room prior to firefighters making entry. In certain situations, firefighters might actually trace back the heated gases back to help them find the source of the fire.

Overhaul
After the fire is out, firefighters overhaul a structure to ensure that there are no hidden fires or smoldering materials that could cause the fire to reignite. When using a thermal imager for overhaul, firefighters methodically scan each room for remaining hot spots. When firefighters find these hot spots quickly and efficiently, they minimize the risk of a rekindle, and they reduce property damage. Structural components can be identified easily with a thermal imager, helping firefighters remain safe while fighting fires in compromised structures.

This image shows several hotspots that remain in the ceiling space after the majority of the fire has been knocked down. These will have to be cooled by firefighters prior to departure. The structural integrity is compromised, yet it can be monitored by firefighters for safety purposes, even when steam and smoke still obscure normal eyesight.

EMS/MCI
For many fire departments, up to 85% of their emergency runs are emergency medical service runs. Thermal imagers can help at these, too. Thermal imagers help locate victims, help evaluate the extent of hypothermia, or even help find amputated body parts.

This image simulates how two amputated fingers might appear in machinery. The metal machinery is relatively cool compared to the heat sources of the “fingers.” Rapid discovery of amputations greatly improves the success rate for re-attachment surgery.

Hazardous Materials
Thermal imaging helps fire officials manage hazardous spills and other hazmat incidents more effectively. Firefighters can use thermal imagers to identify sources and movement of contaminants in bodies of water and on the ground. With the aid of the technology, firefighters can also determine product levels in sealed or pressurized containers.

This image shows how a thermal imager can identify product levels, the relative temperature of the product inside the container, and even the presence of baffles inside the tanker. All of this can be valuable information to a firefighter planning to control and abate a hazmat scene.

LAW ENFORCEMENT APPLICATIONS FOR TI
There are a number of thermal imager applications which can help law enforcement, and are recognized as legitimate, case law tested uses. Below are descriptions of how law enforcement can legally, ethically and effectively use thermal imagers in patrol, investigation, tactical and enforcement operations.

Fugitive Searches, Police Investigations
Heavily camouflaged fugitives, suspects hiding in attic recesses, threats cowering in the underbrush, suspicious individuals lurking in a dark alley, even street dealers “conducting business” behind the cover of a line of bright vehicle lights may escape detection by conventional means. The human eye and even night vision equipment may not detect suspects under these conditions. A suspect’s body heat, emitted to the surface of his clothing, is enough for a thermal imager to present a clear and distinctive visual display image, aiding law enforcement in the most difficult of situations.

Under the cover of darkness, a fugitive can be seen walking in a wooded area.

Officer Safety
Many fugitive searches, building entries, back alley patrols, and other tactical, surveillance or patrol operations put law enforcement officers at risk due to very poor visibility and the potential exposure of the officer in the course of the task at hand. There may not be enough light for night vision equipment to be effective. In the hands of law enforcement officers, thermal imagers detect threats by heat signature alone, without exposing the officer’s position.

The differing heat signatures show that the suspect is carrying an item in his hands that is shaped like a firearm. The outline of body armor is visible as the darker shading on the person’s torso.

Vehicle Profiles and Collision Investigation
Thermal imagers can help counter-narcotics teams and traffic-oriented officers. Criminals have become more creative with the location of, and access to, compartments that hide drugs and money. Whether empty or loaded with contraband, these compartments will normally have a sufficiently different surface temperature because the density of the area is different than normal. A thermal imager will show this anomaly on the display, giving the officer additional evidence to determine further action.

The light gray rectangle on the dash indicates a hidden compartment in the dash. The airbag has been removed from the compartment, and the door is operated via a hidden combination switch. Two handguns were originally found inside.

Collision Investigation
For traffic units, skid marks and tire tracks can be tracked with a TI. Even when equipped with antilock brakes, a vehicle leaves a heat signature on the roadway during emergency stops. Officers can identify the heat pattern associated with the collision to help determine initial reaction points, areas of collision and approximate braking distances. In rural areas, the TI may even help identify where a vehicle may have left the roadway, even if it is not visible to the human eye from the road.

Tires in emergency braking leave a heat signature, even with ABS. A TI can show the full length of braking to help investigators determine actual areas of impact and to estimate speeds more accurately.

CONCLUSION
While there are many areas in which a thermal imager can provide better information and a higher degree of safety for firefighters and law enforcement officers, clearly the use of the technology does not replace standard tools and tactics. First responders need to be educated on the proper and effective use of the technology. When well-trained, first responders can count on thermal imagers as an essential tool in their equipment arsenal.

Gary Simpson Biography
With 23+ years in the Fire Service, Gary retired from the Manchester (New Hampshire) Fire Department to become a Training Specialist for Bullard. Prior to leaving MFD, Gary was the Safety and Training Officer. In this role, he led numerous equipment evaluations for the department. As a firefighter and staff officer, Gary joined the other members of MFD as part of IAFF Local 856. Gary has taught thermal imaging classes around the US, as well as internationally. Gary is now a volunteer firefighter with the Scott County (Kentucky) Fire Department.

Jeff Lord Biography
Jeff has 25+ years in business leadership and leads the Bullard New Business Development initiatives. He is responsible for the Bullard TacSight thermal imager Law Enforcement business. Jeff is a L.E.T.A. certified thermal imaging instructor.

Last Updated On: 2/01/05