The Levelland Fire Department (LFD) has upgraded their equipment to include masks that include thermal imaging for full-time staff.
The mask combines a small thermal camera to the side of the facepiece, enabling hands-free operation.
Inside the mask is an adjustable display screen that reveals hot spots and elevated temperatures.
Previously, the LFD was using handheld thermal imagers. The department will keep the thermal imagers in rotation as the volunteers for the LFD do not have the new masks.
LFD Captain Lance Edwards explained that the new masks offer more flexibility when responding to calls.
“It frees up a hand and I don’t have to carry a thermal [imager] and a hose,” said Edwards. “I can carry a hose and another tool if needed. Also, I can keep my focus on what I am doing while also monitoring and searching for hot spots.”
LFD Interim Fire Chief, Patty Bryars-Faulkner added that the masks the crew had been using were in need of an upgrade. She added that the technology has been available for firefighters for several years.
However, the downfall has been the excessive use of batteries due to the power consumption.
Now more power friendly, Bryars-Faulkner feels the masks will have a considerable impact for a long time.
“These masks will tell the crew what the temperature is, and where the hot spots are,” explained Bryars-Faulkner. “At a scene where there’s a room frill of smoke, the cameras will provide a clear thermal reading of the crew’s surroundings.”
The camera in the mask can also detect wires in the walls and the masks can also detect exits.
If the crew is in a pitch-black room filled with smoke, these masks can detect couches and windows for a safe and clean exit.
Bryars-Faulkner hopes to provide the volunteers with the same masks in the future through the grant process as they can be expensive.