Mike Teraci (Senior Fire Control Officer) at the West Swan Fire Station with new FLIR Infrared heat cameras.  The West Swan Fire Station received a grant recently to purchase FLIR cameras.
Camera IconMike Teraci (Senior Fire Control Officer) at the West Swan Fire Station with new FLIR Infrared heat cameras. The West Swan Fire Station received a grant recently to purchase FLIR cameras. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis www.communitypix.com.au d484263

New thermal imaging technology adds confidence for West Swan volunteers

Lisa ThomasThe Advocate

|NEW thermal imaging cameras will help volunteer firefighters at the West Swan Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade to save lives and property this summer.

The brigade recently received an $8000 grant from Lotterywest to purchase the cameras and is one of only a few volunteer brigades in WA to have the technology. Brigade Captain Rudi James said the cameras allowed firefighters to see hotspots under the ground and ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

“There are certain things that our eyes cannot see, like fires burning under the ground, so this technology allows us to focus our efforts on an area,” he said.

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“It provides us with more information because we have better visibility and gives us the comfort when we leave a fire that any hotspots have been put out and are monitored.”

Mr James said due to the rural and residential area that the brigade covered, it was an important tool to have.

“Because of the community we serve and the urban-rural interface, we rely on having more information to protect the community against bushfires,” he said. “We’d like to thank Lotterywest and the community for continuing to support us and allowing us to buy this potentially life- saving technology.”

Senior fire control officer and long-time career and volunteer firefighter Mike Teraci said the technology would give additional confidence to volunteers.

He said the technology could also save lives in structure fires.

“Often we will assist with structure fires and the thermal imaging cameras allow us to see bodies in the fire, and rescue people who may be trapped in a building,” he said, adding it would give peace of mind that nobody was trapped.