Fire department to receive new infrared camera

McMinnville Fire Department will soon receive a much-needed thermal imaging camera. After sending out for bids, the Safety Committee accepted the lowest bid of $8,450 which is somewhat below the $10,000 set aside in the department?s budget.

The new camera will be used to help see through smoke by using sensors to convert infrared radiation into a visible light picture. Long wavelength infrared radiation passes effortlessly through even the densest smoke and darkness. The camera then converts the infrared radiation into a visible picture which enables vision where it is not normally possible.

The camera has many uses including detecting the seat and spread of a fire; detecting heat losses in buildings; and engineering applications such as monitoring overheating conductors, motors, bearings and electrical distribution panels. Most important for the department and for McMinnville residents, however, is the camera?s ability to see through the darkest smoke.

The new camera will be used at station No. 2. Although the Main Street fire station camera is six to eight years old, it is the only camera within the city. This situation makes the new camera a must-have when it comes to public and fire department employee safety.

?When they have a fire on that side of town, it takes us seven to eight minutes to get there,? said Fire Chief Kevin Lawrence of station No. 2. ?This way they will have their own camera and won?t have to wait.?

The camera will also serve as a backup in case the old camera fails, which will ensure McMinnville Fire Department is never without this potentially life-saving device.

After getting approval from the Safety Committee to purchase the camera, it will be next week before the camera is received.