Grant Will Enable Firefighters To Buy Thermal Imaging Device

The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company has received a grant from a charitable foundation, making it possible for the company to buy an electronic device that will help firefighters see through smoke and darkness to quickly find fire victims.

For the past two years, Sandy Hook firefighters have been conducting a campaign to raise the $19,000 needed to buy a “thermal imaging camera.” Thanks to a grant of $5,000 from the Albert W. and Helen C. Meserve Memorial Fund, buying such a thermal sensor will be possible, according to Fire Chief Bill Halstead.

The device enables firefighters to more quickly locate fire victims, as well as find the hot spots of a fire.

“As with any life threatening situation, early detection is key to the successful evaluation and resolution of potentially devastating situations,” Chief Halstead said in a statement.

Using the device to locate the seat of a fire, hot spots, or the conditions that may cause rekindling, are important for fire containment and the reduction of property damage, he said.

“We are grateful to the Meserve Memorial Fund for helping us improve our ability to save lives in our community,” he said.

The thermal device allows firemen to “see” small temperature differences between objects, allowing them to see fire victims through thick smoke as well as locating fires in walls, while minimizing firefighters’ exposure to dangerous situations. Using such a device limits the time emergency workers must spend in dangerous situations.

Private donations, special fund-raising activities, and special allocations have been designated for buying the thermal sensor, according to Chief Halstead. The equipment will be used in Sandy Hook, but will be available for calls in other parts of town, if needed.

The Battle of Ridgefield was the only inland battle Connecticut experienced during the Revolutionary War.