Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Purchases Thermal Imaging Equipment

Staff Report

Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services has purchased sixty (60) new Bullard Eclipse LDX thermal Imaging Cameras with 2011 SPLOST funds.

The cameras will replace the Department’s existing 42 cameras, as well as add cameras on eight rescue vehicles and four Battalion Chiefs’ vehicles. Eight cameras will be assigned to the Training Division which will allow them to equip each Training Officer with a camera during training evolutions for evaluating firefighter performance and greatly enhancing safety of all training participants.

The new cameras are approximately one pound lighter than the previous cameras and include the latest in Thermal Imaging Technology which provides a much sharper, brighter image. Image quality is vital when searching for victims in a smoky, low to no visibility environment commonly found in structure fires.

The cameras also allow firefighters to locate hidden fire behind walls and ceilings as well as help locate hot spots.