New thermal imaging cameras helped Fresno firefighters rescue 2 people from house fire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A caller upgrade to the Fresno Fire Department is helping support crews.

On Wednesday night, firefighters knocked a occurrence astatine a location adjacent Locus and Erie Avenue successful Northwest Fresno.

The occurrence melted the blinds astatine the beforehand of the house. When neighbors alerted firefighters that determination mightiness beryllium radical trapped, they rushed inside.

Thanks to a caller thermal imaging camera, firefighters were capable to find them.

"One of our firefighters was capable to utilize this technology," said Captain Shane Brown.

"He was quick-thinking. He was capable to scan the country successful a harsh situation afloat of fume and find a unfortunate who was down."

The thermal imaging camera is not lone redeeming lives, but it besides keeps firefighters safe.

The camera is attached to this caller apparatus and comes with galore antithetic features.

Captain Brown showed Action News however immoderate of it works.

"If I person my look portion and I clicked in, I would really beryllium capable to spot however galore minutes near I person connected the cylinder afloat of air," said Captain Brown.

"The machine is perpetually calculating the aerial I'm breathing and it's calculating the rate, telling maine however overmuch longer I have. To utilize the thermal imaging camera it's a precise elemental property of a fastener and it should spell to the thermal imaging camera."

The aged thermal imaging cameras were bigger, bulkier, and heavier.

Firefighters had to clip them onto themselves, and they could lone beryllium utilized by 1 firefighter astatine a time.

"Historically the thermal imaging cameras that we person is conscionable different instrumentality oregon instrumentality that you person to hold," said Chief Billy Alcorn.

"As they're going wrong of a residence, they're carrying their tools. They're pulling hose, they're putting connected their mask, and they're doing each those things. Now they're hands free."

The outgo of the caller cogwheel is astir $4 million.

Fresno City leaders and the occurrence section worked intimately to guarantee that the firefighters received the upgraded gear.

Councilmember Mike Karbassi said the concern is worthy it.

"It is perfectly important to marque definite our firefighters are equipped due to the fact that they spell from zero to 60 successful conscionable a moment," said Councilmember Karbassi.

Just similar however crews connected Wednesday nighttime saved those 2 people.

Captain Brown said astir of the department's engines are staffed with 4 firefighters, which is the nationalist standard.

Brown added having that 4th firefighter helps with rescue and occurrence onslaught efforts, conscionable similar the 1 Wednesday night.

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