By Victoria Stone-Meadows
HAMPTON Park CFA have partnered with Marriott Waters branch of Bendigo Bank to raise money for a thermal imaging camera for the brigade.
The volunteer fire brigade is seeking support from the community to help them purchase a camera that can detect heat signatures and potentially save lives.
First Lieutenant at Hampton Park CFA, Chris Gomolis, said the camera will be a valuable piece of equipment for the station.
“This device allows us to see in the dark or in thick smoke and it becomes an asset to search and rescue,” he said.
“It would be used predominantly in house fires and allows us to search a building where our normal eyesight can’t assist.”
The camera works by displaying heat signatures on a screen so firefighters can see where heat is coming from when there is no obvious heat or flames.
“Its operation is to pick up heat signatures of a person or animals and hot spots in walls,” Lt Gomolis.
“If there has been a fire in a house or other building, during the overhaul process where we extinguish after the main fire is out, we can use the camera to look into the walls, and instead of ripping down walls, we can pick up heat signatures through plaster.”
The brigade is aiming to raise $13,000 to buy the camera and the Marriott Waters Bendigo Bank has pledged $1000 so far.
While the camera is expensive, Lt Gomolis said it will be worth the money to keep his firefighters and the community safe.
“The way we see it is if it helps save one person then it is money well spent,” he said.
To find out how you can help the Hampton Park CFA raise these much needed funds, visit www.communities.bendigobank.com.au/projects/Hamptonparkcfa
