No. 50

New thermal imaging cameras and Personal Protective Equipment for the Fire Brigade 

Eleven new thermal imaging cameras and specialised protective clothing will be purchased for the ACT Fire Brigade as part of the ACT Government’s boost to emergency services. 

Minister for Emergency Services Simon Corbell today announced $213,000 funding for the replacement of the current thermal cameras over the next four years and $50,000 for fully‑encapsulated chemical protective clothing.

“The ACT Fire Brigade will purchase five new thermal imaging cameras in 2007-08, then two each year in the following three years,” he said.

“Thermal imaging is a vital component of contemporary fire fighting and has extensive applications in search and rescue, identification of concealed hot-spots, overseeing fire fighter safety (through monitoring internal operating conditions), monitoring hazardous material stability and locating trapped or injured victims.

“The cameras are used as part of all initial search and rescue at all residential fires and assist in the early detection and rescue of people who are trapped.

“They are used to rapidly identify the source and seat of the fire. This dramatically reduces the quantity of water used during fire fighting resulting in a minimisation of water damage to properties. 

“After initial extinguishment, hot spots, which are the source of re-ignition, are readily identified and targeted, ensuring the fire is completely extinguished. This significantly reduces the time spent by crews at fires, allowing them to return to operational readiness.

“This equipment can also be used by ACT Policing to help locate missing people.”

Mr Corbell said the fully encapsulated chemical protective clothing being funded in this year’s Budget follows the recent deployment of a new state-of-the-art Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) vehicle for the ACT Fire Brigade.
 
The new equipment is expected to be in service before Christmas this year.