DAVENPORT, IOWA (March 7, 2019) — Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation affiliated with Firehouse Subs restaurants has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Davenport Fire Department (DFD) for three new thermal-imaging cameras.
Davenport Fire Assistant Chief Robb Macdougall says the new cameras, the Bullard XT, have the ability to identify the hottest area that the camera is directed towards.
“The grant for the purchase of the new cameras is extremely beneficial to the Davenport Fire Department,” Assistant Chief Macdougall said in announcing the grant. “The grant allows the City to purchase these state-of-the-art cameras which can dramatically speed up search and rescue-operations in a structure-fire, allowing us to tackle the fire faster.” said Chief Macdougall.
The cameras will also assist in hazardous-materials incidents and in locating hidden-fire locations. No longer having to blindly search for fire in walls, attics, or other hidden voids, firefighters can find the fire faster, extinguish it, and minimize the damage to the structure. ”Speeding up the search and rescue time, or determining the heat difference in a HazMat incident or locating a hidden fire faster, is a win-win for everybody,” said Chief Macdougall.
Chief Macdougall credits Davenport Fire Captain Craig Black for his work in researching and submitting the grant. Once the grant was awarded, Captain Black played a vital role in the purchasing of the cameras and placing them on fire trucks.
The new cameras, with improved imaging, hot-spot tracking, and battery-longevity, will replace older units currently in use with Davenport Fire truck companies.
Questions regarding this release may be directed to Davenport Fire Assistant Chief Robb Macdougall, 888-2185. Please call with any questions or for additional information.
