1. Basics of Thermal Imaging
General Operations and Tactical Applications

2. Objectives
Thoroughly understand the basic operations of a thermal imager
Understand the limitations of the thermal imager
Understand tactical applications and of the thermal imager for functionality on the fire ground, including: size up, flow path identification, fire location, building layout, victim location (the 3 L’s), search, and water application effectiveness

3. Basic Operations
After turning on the TIC, wave your hand in front of the camera, or point it at your partner, to ensure it is working properly.
Thermal Contrast
White is hottest
Black is coolest
Yellow, orange, red can mean different things depending on the model
Thermal imaging cameras need contrast to work.
Low Contrast scene- ambient temperature is cool and all objects in area are close to low ambient temperature.
High Contrast scene- ambient temperature is hot, and objects closer to heat source are brighter (whiter)

4. Basic Operation
TIC’s have shutters that cause a “pause” or “shift” on the display screen. This occurs when the camera is changing modes to adjust to the level of the heat condition detected. This works similar to your eyelids. Your eyelid blinks to allow your eyes to adjust to the level of the light available.
Bullard camera has two modes
ISG camera has three modes
TIC’s read surface temperature, not gas or atmospheric temperature.

5. Basic Operation Types of emitters
Passive emitters- don’t give off their own heat. They absorb and release heat at different rates.
Furniture, walls, contents
Active emitters- give off their own heat.
People, animals
Direct source emitters
The sun. NEVER point the TIC at the sun.
The fire
Passive emitters can cover up or hide active emitters
Thermal inversion can occur when the ambient temperature around an object changes, or when the TIC changes modes or locations.
Victims, hose lines.

6. Limitations TIC will not read gas or ambient temperature.
If everything in the room is the same temperature, there will not be enough contrast to distinguish building features. This is “black out”, or when the imager all appears to be the same color. Staying low, below the neutral plane, will give the camera the contrast it needs to distinguish building characteristics.
Can’t see through glass or water.
The TIC has a 3’ focal point. Depth perception will be affected as objects may appear closer or farther away.
Stairs will appear to be a ramp due to lack of contrast. Focus on the stair railing.

7. Limitations Camera subject to moisture and particulates
Wipe in 3 places
Lens
Screen
Face piece
Cannot sense heat through walls, floors, or ceilings.

8. Tactical Applications
Size- up
Flow path identification
Fire location
Building layout
Victim location
Search
Water application effectiveness

9. Tactical Applications
Size –up and flow path identification

10. Tactical Applications
Fire Location
Direction and velocity of heat can lead you back to the seat of the fire.
Heat moves from hot to cold. Convection currents will be moving away from the fire.
Display color will move from darker to lighter, then visible flame.
Staying below the neutral plane will allow the camera the contrast needed to distinguish building characteristics.

11. Tactical Applications
Building Layout
By scanning cool to hot areas of the room, building characteristics will be more easily identifiable.
Hallways, furniture, doorways.
By scanning baseboards from the ladder during VEIS operations, victims and doorways will be more easily identifiable.
6 sided scan- right to left (or left to right)
High
Medium
Low
Always look behind after entering room or hallway
Rotate camera 90 degrees for a vertical (taller) view

12. Tactical Applications
Victim location (Life)
Scan from cool to hot for best results of victim identification. Keep camera in High sensitivity mode as long as possible.
If not, the camera can shutter too quickly, and victim can be missed.
Placing your hand if front of the lens can “reset” the shutter, and allow a brief snapshot of the area being searched.

13. Tactical Applications
Search
Two types
Imager lead
Person with the imager is in front, guiding the search team.
Point to point- use the imager to identify the next location, put the imager down, and go to that location.
Person leading must make sure to communicate with team members, and not move too quickly, losing accountability.
Imager directed
Person with the imager is behind the search team.
Used as the oriented man at the door when searching rooms.
Label walls 1,2,3,4. The wall you entered on will be wall 1, and move clockwise around the room.
Identifies landmarks in the room, i.e., beds, closets, doors, windows.
2nd base umpire- best position for accountability of the team.

14. Tactical Applications
Water application effectiveness
If water is being applied properly, the TIC user will be able to see the object being “painted”. If the water is effective it will cool the object and the color will change from white, or color, to black.
Ineffective hose streams