Hillsborough Fire Department knew just what they wanted: a thermal imaging camera that had a lens that wouldn’t crack when exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures, durable enough to be dropped, and easy to operate.

A committed user of Viper Thermal Imagers for years, Hillsborough Fire Department, Division Chief Ron Rogers decided it was time to start researching other brands after encountering support issues.

And so the hunt began. Veterans of using thermal imagers, Hillsborough Fire Department knew what they were looking for and compiled a list of specific features they wanted. Next, different brands of imagers were put through rigorous test, consisting of everything from baking each imager to throwing them on the ground several times. “We would bake an imager at 450°, and then stick it in ice water. On several of the cameras, the lens cracked but Bullard had no issues on any of the test,” said Clint Roberts, the Hillsborough Firefighter who led the evaluation. The guys then passed each brand around and noted how easy each one was to use. “Our guys loved the Electronic Thermal Throttle and the wide screen the T4 had to offer. It was a huge hit.”

After the various tests and a live burn, the guys compared the results and found Bullard passed each test with flying colors. “The Bullard Thermal Imagers really blew the others out of the water,” said Division Chief Rogers. “Right after the test, we placed an order for 47 of them.”

Located in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Fire Department has over 1,100 firefighters running out of 44 fire stations and cover over 900 square miles. They average about 80,000 – 90,000 call each year. Hillsborough Fire Department is looked at as an example for all departments who are looking to purchase a thermal imager and ways in which to evaluate which brand best suites your department’s needs. Great job Hillsborough Fire Department!

Tips for Evaluating TIs: First, notice how Hillsborough did the testing themselves. They did not rely on the sales person to promise performance... they actually evaluated performance. They wanted a TI that could be dropped and still work, so they dropped the TIs. They wanted a reliable unit that could be exposed to various temperature extremes... so they exposed the demo units to temperature extremes. When you evaluate, keep in mind, the thermal imager YOU plan to buy will be built EXACTLY the same way as the salesperson’s demo model. If the salesperson’s TI cannot survive the testing, why would the one you might purchase?

When testing, ensure you are realistic in your expectations. For example, placing the TI in the freezer for 4 hours might sound like a neat test, but how often do you plan to leave your equipment in freezing weather that long? Is the real issue that a firefighter might leave the TI in a snow bank for 20 minutes prior to taking it in for overhaul? Thing about the real application, then design an evaluation test that simulates it.

If you would like to tell us about an incident in which a Bullard Thermal Imager has made a difference in your work, send an e-mail to ashley_smith@bullard.com or visit www.bullard.com/thermalimager/Save_A_Life_Club/salc_application.shtml to submit your story online. Selected stories will be featured in an upcoming issue of this newsletter.