During one of my recent training sessions, a question was posed to me about whether thermal imaging training should be delivered to recruits when they are going through their basic training. This is one part that I love about my job—getting to interact with fire departments from all over the world.
Every fire department operates differently based on its region; demographics; and whether it is full-time, composite, or volunteer. But, their training is pretty much the same when it comes to following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for the fire service.
So, out of curiosity, I posted this question on my social media pages to see what the comments would be, and I was surprised at the amount of support I received back.
RESPONSES
Following are some of the responses I received.
“I’m a little surprised this was a question; thermal imaging training has always been a part of recruit training I’ve been a part of.”
“Totally agree. I don’t think they’re used enough in the fire service. Maybe if we teach the recruits to use them, they’ll be used more often.”
“Yes, it can be a very effective tool that makes firefighters more effective and improves safety.”
“Agreed, they need to know the basics.”
“Covered on recruit course and then incorporated into other ongoing training.”
“Once a new recruit starts with any fire department, the learning curve is steep. Part of the curve is learning all the equipment in the hall and on all apparatus—including the thermal imager (TI). When they are on an incident, anyone can be in control of the TI, and even basic knowledge through the recruit process is better than none. This makes the department look more professional on the scene.”
“Agreed! The basics of thermal imaging should be instilled early so when they are at the company officer level, it isn’t such a giant leap of faith to learn these concepts.”
“Well, this is mandatory in times like these. Thermal imaging should be treated as an essential skill like driving a car these days. We have already started implementing these.”
“Somewhere in addition to increasing the three hours of fire behavior training in Firefighter 1. Yes! First year wildland firefighters have a better understanding of fire behavior than most structural folks of the same tenure. Thermal imaging training can only bolster this critical knowledge base as well as complement survival, search, and fire control skills.”
1 Firefighters learning about the basics of thermal imaging while using a Max Fire Box. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)
2 Firefighters advancing their knowledge about thermal imaging during live fire training.
As I stated above, I love the interaction with firefighters worldwide and value their opinions. So, where to deliver the thermal imaging program to recruits is a question.
POLICY OR GUIDELINE
If you follow NFPA 1408, Standard for Training Fire Personnel in the Operation, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Thermal Imagers (2020 ed.), here are some of the recommendations:
Chapter 4, Fire Service Thermal Imager Training Policy and Procedures
- 4.1.1: A TI training program shall be implemented.
- 4.2.1: The [authority having jurisdiction] AHJ shall establish policies for TI training that meet the requirements of this standard.
Chapter 6, Student Prerequisites
- 6.1.1: Prior to being permitted to participate in the TI training program, students shall have received training to meet the JPRs for Firefighter 1 in NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications, or NFPA 1081, Standard for Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications.
- 6.1.1.1: Students participating in TI training who have received the required training from other than the AHJ shall not be permitted to participate in any TI training without first presenting prior written evidence of having successfully completed the prescribed minimum training to the level specified in 6.1.1.
- 6.1.1.2: Students who have not yet met the full requirements of 6.1.1 shall be permitted to participate in cognitive-based TI training to obtain knowledge of basic TI technology and operation.
I had an opportunity to chat with a recent fire school graduate and asked him what was delivered regarding thermal imaging training. I was surprised at his response. The instructors had brought a TI to class and showed the students what a hand rubbed on the desk looked like and pointed the TI at a microwave—that was it!
Yet, a friend of mine, who is a training officer with his fire department, says that they train them during the recruit program. They discuss TI operation and advantages and limitations and conduct hands-on practical training.
THOUGHT PROCESS
I am biased and a true believer in thermal imaging. It should be taught as outlined in Section 6.1.1.2 during basic training. This process would allow the mindset to be formed around the following:
- What is thermal imaging?
- How does a TI work?
- What about infrared energy?
- What about using a TI?
During the portion on fire behavior, thermal imaging should be introduced for students to get a better understanding of reading the heat, neutral plane, and flow paths, which are all parts of fire dynamics.
Thermal imaging training should also have been built into elements of structural firefighting training to enhance fire suppression skills, develop competent search techniques, and see it as a vital tool in fighting fires. Firefighters can then manage on the fireground should they be deployed with a TI or if it fails during an operation.
Recruits are far more likely to be proactive about using a TI in an operational sense because it will become part of their basic firefighting skill process. To leave this training until after they have left the training college would be a missed opportunity and likely create a segmentation in their skills and mental process on what to take to a fire. Trained correctly, recruits will be an active reminder to those who won’t automatically think to bring a TI to a fire.
Recruits will still require the same length of training in thermal imaging as any firefighter. But in their case, it will be combined, both practical and theoretical, with much of their education and skill development in various fire and search technique instruction.
If recruits are taught thermal imaging in their basic training stages, they are better able to hit the ground running if they are tasked with using a TI once they graduate and receive their station and apparatus assignments.
MANFRED KIHN is a 19-year veteran of the fire service, having served as an ambulance officer, emergency services specialist, firefighter, captain, and fire chief. He has been a member of Bullard’s Emergency Responder team since 2005 and is the company’s fire training specialist for thermal imaging technology. He is certified through the Law Enforcement Thermographers’ Association (LETA) as a thermal imaging instructor and is a recipient of the Ontario Medal for Firefighters Bravery. If you have questions about thermal imaging, you can e-mail him at manfred_kihn@bullard.com.
