While thermal imaging technology

has been used by the military for many years, the application of this

technology in fire services was not very common until the mid-1990s. The

transformation of the technology from the military environment to the

high heat environments characteristic of fire services required substantial

design changes to sufficiently shield the components while maintaining

the unit at a size that could be easily managed by personnel. Since the

advances in design have produced such units, the costs have become the

primary obstacle, particularly with smaller fire departments.

The thermal imaging system

selected by Fayetteville consists of two cameras equipped with an internal

transmitter. A receiver and video monitor are located in the department's

command vehicle, allowing command personnel to view the images that interior

personnel capture with the camera.

The cost of the city's camera

system, including transmitters, receiver, video monitor, VCR, and two-day

training course for all department personnel was $43,000.

"This is one of the most

important pieces of equipment we have ever acquired," said Fayetteville

Fire Chief Alan Jones.

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