On October 4, 1999, Governor Christie Whitman signed into law Senate Bill #1873 which was important to the Fire Service in New Jersey. This bill provides for $7.5 million dollars in funding which will allow fire departments in the State of New Jersey to purchase thermal imaging cameras. These cameras have an average cost of $18,000 to $25,000 per unit.

A thermal imaging camera, which uses infrared technology, allows firefighters to locate victims who may be trapped or unconscious in a burning building. The camera can also be used to locate sources of heat in hard to reach areas; such as a ballast in a light fixture, a wire burning behind a wall, or locating a missing person who may be wandering in a wooded area. Washington Township currently has a thermal imaging camera available for use at all incidents and is looking to purchase two additional cameras with funds provided by the State of New Jersey.

The image below is that of a person (during a drill) in a darkened, smoke filled room as seen through the thermal imaging camera. The light colored images are higher in temperature than the dark colored images. The outline of a person is clearly seen. Likewise, hidden fire or hot objects such as an overheated light ballast can be detected. The camera used by the fire department gives the temperature of the object at a target in the viewfinder of the camera and also send the video image to a television and video tape recorder for command personnel to observe and record. To learn more about thermal imaging camera technology and their uses, contact the Washington Township Fire District at 863-4000.