Need FREE Thermal Imaging Training?
Does your department provide thermal imaging training and education? Sadly, many fire departments are not aware of the proper resources or do not provide thermal imaging training.
Therefore, we have put together short educational videos and articles to assist firefighters in need of thermal imaging training.
Step 1-Please see the following resource link and view the videos and articles: Thermal Imaging Training Resource Link – Insight Training LLC: This is a very large number of resources. Please take your time as you view and learn these resources.
Step 2-Did you know the following end user behaviors affect the performance of the TIC?
Failure to wipe the lens periodically will cause the image to degrade on any fire service TIC. A general rule is to wipe your need to wipe your mask, wipe the lens of the TIC, wipe your facepiece, then wipe the screen. Please see the following videos for an explanation-
Please watch the Wipe the lens narrated video: https://youtu.be/bZtBIOdDQ2A?si=tncEfYvIq9eTpYHx
Scanning Technique: Scans should be conducted from low too high allowing the TIC to start in the cooler areas (which allows for greater clarity and for locating victims first). Learn more here:
The Danger of the Spot Temperature: Many firefighters are not aware of the gross inaccuracies of the spot temperature measurement feature in fire service TICs. NFPA 1801-2021 edition removed this feature from TI-Basic due to this feature being misinterpreted and it has been listed as a contributing factor in firefighter line of duty deaths.
TIC Maintenance and care procedures: Many fire departments place truck chargers or store the TIC over the engine compartment. Lithium-ion batteries do not like heat, and this affects the performance. Therefore, we should not charge or store the device in high heat environments (over 104-112 degrees F). The device will not charge and may discharge the battery. Don’t scrub the device with harsh solvents or scrub the germanium lens with abrasive surfaces. Do NOT point the TIC at the sun. It will void the warranty and the device will fail. This often happens by accident when firefighters doff their PPE after a fire.
After viewing these resources, please refer to our YouTube channel at Insight Training LLC for hundreds of hours of FREE training resources that are organized by playlist, brand of TIC, and subject matter.
These resources will provide a foundational understanding of thermal imaging but do not replace in-depth training which must include live fire training. Thermal imaging without a live fire component will cause issues with proper interpretation on the fire ground. Also, NFPA 1001 requires all new firefighters shall have thermal imaging training and NFPA 1408 requires ALL firefighters to receive thermal imaging training annually (at a minimum).
And we are the first organization to develop a collegiate thermal imaging certification for firefighters that is credentialed by Western Kentucky University, peer reviewed by Kentucky Thermal Institute, and it is completely online! It is a total of 10 hours of training between two courses for approximately $600. No other organization offers this level of free resources and a collegiate level thermal imaging certification for firefighters that is affordable. Check out the link to register or learn more:
Keep up the good work!
Stay Intelligently Aggressive!
Andy J. Starnes
Founder/Owner
Insight Fire Training
