LETA-Certified Thermal Imaging Training

Following a collaborative development effort, Bullard and LETA (Law Enforcement Thermographers’ Association) formed the first thermal imaging training program for the fire service that results in certification by an internationally recognized public safety organization. LETA, long recognized as the authority on thermal imagers used in law enforcement, is expanding with Bullard’s assistance into the fire service.

Firefighters can be certified by LETA in Basic Thermal Imaging, Advanced Thermal Imaging, and even as a Thermal Imaging Instructor. All of Bullard’s full-time thermal imaging training team is certified as LETA Instructors, making Bullard the only manufacturer who can currently offer certified thermal imager training. Instructor certification and course content certification are required by LETA as a condition of their endorsement and support of student certification.

What is LETA?
The Law Enforcement Thermographers’ Association (LETA), founded in 1995, is a professional law enforcement organization dedicated to promoting the legal and ethical use of thermal imaging in support of law enforcement operations. LETA membership, originally limited to those engaged in or supporting law enforcement, has been expanded to accept all those engaged in providing or supporting public safety. LETA law enforcement training is recognized across the USA, as well as internationally. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a number of state and local agencies currently use LETA for their thermal imaging training.

What’s covered in the Basic Thermal Imaging for Firefighters class?
By the end of the basic class, students will be able to achieve the following objectives:

  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of thermal imaging principles.
  • Identify the primary limitations of thermal imagers in the fire service.
  • Demonstrate unit operations, including activation of the unit, changing and charging the battery, and use of accessories and optional equipment shipped with the unit.
  • Identify primary risks associated with thermal imager use in the fire service.
  • Identify essential actions that maintain situational awareness and address the primary risks.

What’s covered in the Advanced Thermal Imaging for Firefighters class?
By the end of the advanced class, students will be able to achieve the following objectives:

  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of thermal imagery.
  • Demonstrate the use of various features on the thermal imager to determine heat levels.
  • Demonstrate an advanced ability to interpret thermal images, and make actions based on those interpretations.
  • Identify advanced uses for thermal imaging in the fire service.

How long is the class?
Basic and Advanced classes require approximately four hours of classroom time.

How do I get certified in Basic or Advanced thermal imaging?
After a qualifying training session, students will be offered the opportunity to take a written test. A passing score is 80% or higher. Passing students may complete a certification request at the training site.

How much does it cost?
LETA requires a $25.00 (US) processing fee to verify testing information and to issue an official certification.

How can I become a Thermal Imaging Instructor?
To become a Fire Service Instructor, an individual must successfully complete the Basic and Advanced classes and be invited by the LETA Board of Directors to become an instructor. In addition, a candidate for Fire Service Instructor must:

  1. Have 20 years of active fire service experience; or,
  2. Have 15 years of active fire service experience, including service as a tested and appointed (rather than elected) company officer; or,
  3. Have 10 years of active fire service experience, including service as a tested and appointed (rather than elected) company officer, and be certified as a Fire Instructor I (per NFPA standards); or,
  4. Have 10 years of active fire service experience and be certified as a Fire Instructor II or higher (per NFPA standards).
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate to the Board an adequate understanding of all topics and objectives covered at the Basic and Advanced Fire Service levels. The candidate will teach at least one hour of Basic or Advanced curriculum while under the supervision of a LETA instructor. The LETA instructor must review and approve the candidate’s teaching efforts prior to the Board promoting a candidate to the Instructor level.

Can I join LETA?
LETA is now open to any individual who is a member of a public safety agency, or to members of any organization actively involved in supporting public safety agencies. Individual membership is $25.00 (US). This is not included in the testing and certification fee.

Is there group membership for fire departments?
Yes, LETA has special group memberships for fire departments. LETA recognizes that law enforcement officers may need certification to testify in a trial, and therefore may need greater benefit levels from membership. Fire departments can join LETA as an organization based on the number of members in the department.

The fee schedule (in US dollars) is:

Members < 25 $200 50 - 75 76 - 99 100 - 399 400 - 999 > 1000
Cost $100 26 - 50 $300 $400 $500 $750 $1000

Why should I or my department join LETA?
Fire service members receive the following benefits from LETA membership. Of course, as this program grows, we expect this list to expand:

  • Expert witness support and assistance if a fire department’s use of a thermal imager is an issue in a court of law;
  • Regular newsletter updating LETA members about changes in law, creative new applications, additional training, etc.;
  • Access to WMD First Responder programs as they are developed;
  • Professional interaction with law enforcement agencies across the world;
  • Assistance finding other grant sources;
  • Access to LETA’s national and international training events and conferences.