Thermal Imaging Camera Training

I am a training officer with a NJ FD. As many of you know all NJ FD's will be getting a Bullard Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) at no cost (or get $ for a different model).

Our state contract has a provision for doing training sessions open to all departments and I know that I will attend the training session once I know our TIC is on order and in the mean time I have been reading and surfing the net for information. I have already contacted Bullard and DL'ed some information from their site.

I am most interested in any tips that those of you might have who have already played with TIC's in you departments. I have a large hall that I do maze training in using standard banquet tables and a borrowed smoke machine from time to time, pretty standard stuff. I was wondering if there are any tricks other then the obvious adding of live victims to the maze for the TIC application. My biggest concern is that once the newness wears off apathy will set in and a lack of skills and knowledge retention will be a problem.

If you have any idea to spice up this kind training please post here to share with everyone or E-mail me directly at LNMolino@aol.com



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Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET
FF/EMT-B/FSI/EMSI
LNMolino@aol.com

We used the smoke machine and maze method for our dept. We have 2 Scott Eagles and 1 ISI Vision.

Searching for victims is the primary use for TICs. However, we have gotten the most benefit (until we actually find someone in a fire) from ours in fire attack and overhaul. Great for finding the seat of the fire or hot spots afterward.

Lou, I think Bullard has satisfied the NJ training requirement by supplying a training video with each order. I don't know that any "State" training sessions will be held.

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The above is MY OPINION only and not that of anyone else. I am not representing any organization in making a post here!!!!

no_name_ff,
As a matter of fact there is training already scheduled in NJ. Check with your local dealer for dates and times. A 30 min video is no replacement for TIC training.
By the way this training is part of the contract. There is NO CHARGE for it, so find out the schedule and plan to attend.

Louis,
You may want to spice up your training by taking the camera away from your team after they get into the maze. This will reinforce thier firefighter training and possibly eliminate Superman syndrome. Also, use a second TIC (borrowed or otherwise) to oversee the search training. Mistakes made during training will assist all personnel in the Do's and Dont's of Thermal imaging. Lastly, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN. Nothing replaces repetative training program. Good Luck.


FRD

If you go to the NJ DFS web site, then the Bullard site click on New Jersey Update scroll down and you will see regional training announcements. You will also get a video with your TIC according to the bid specs.



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Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET
FF/EMT-B/FSI/EMSI
LNMolino@aol.com

Hello All,

Sorry for the long delay in replying to this but life in the world of thermal imaging is very fast and furious.

First, NJ Training – As a number of people have identified Bullard will be conducting training sessions for NJ TI recipients. As of July 10, 2000 there have been a total of 6 sessions conducted between the Camden and Middlesex County Fire Academies (A big Thank You to those facilities). Training Sessions will continue to be scheduled at various facilities through out the state for the next couple of months. If you work for a facility or know of a facility (that can handle at least 50 students) that would like to be a site for one of the training sessions please contact me. Please check the Bullard NJ web page for the latest information on training classes.
www.thermalimager.com/techSpecs/newJersey.htm

Second, TI training in general – Overall TI training seems to be picking up a little bit. Many of the major training events such as FDIC are know including thermal imaging in a number of the classes and training sessions. We also just completed 12 sessions at the Interschutz show in Germany. Firehouse Expo. will also include thermal imaging in its upcoming training sessions. A number of State facilities such as Ohio are also starting to include thermal imaging in their training programs. However TI training overall is still in its infancy and things really need to come up to speed fast. If you are currently conducting training or are interested in starting please contact me. I am working to expand the information that is on the Bullard Website for training, but I really am limited in the information I have on agencies or departments who are conducting training. Also as some of you have already done please continue to post information here on the various things you are doing for TI training, we all can learn a lot from each other.


Good Luck, Be Safe,
“TIman”

Mike Richardson
Bullard TI Training Specialist

mike_richardson@bullard.com

PS : in addition to myself SAFE-IR is doing a number of the NJ training sessions. They are also available to do training all over the US. If you would be interested in a training class please contact SAFE-IR or me, if there is enough interest we may set up a number of open enrollment classes in the New Jersey area as well as different locations through out the US.
www.safe-ir.com

TIMan, get my e-mail?

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The above is MY OPINION only and not that of anyone else. I am not representing any organization in making a post here!!!!

One idea is to turn off the camera in the middle of the search to simulate possible loss of camera use and have FF's exit building using proper techniques.

This keeps crews sharp on the basics as well as proficeint in TI use. We found that FF's tend to overlook exits because they were "having fun" with the new TI training.

Just a different angle on training.

Jeff