Mankato-City of Mankato firefighters are now equipped with handheld thermal cameras, tools that can help save lives by helping firefighters make more informed decisions during fire events and search and rescue operations.

The cameras are light, durable and waterproof, and feature three display modes for different uses depending on the heat index needed. The cameras can be used to:

-Reduce rescue time by being able to quickly locate victims or downed firefighters in smoky environments.

-Assist firefighters with self-rescue by identifying cool spots, windows or the fire hose line in conditions with low or zero visibility to find an exit.

-Assess scenes to better fight fires by locating heat-related clues such as fire in walls or hot spots caused by electrical shorts.

-Investigate hazardous material situations from a safe distance and see levels in pressurized tanks to make more informed decisions.

-Use heat signals to find victims during non-fire search and rescue operations.

-View heat levels to train new and current firefighters to understand fire dynamics and ventilation techniques.

Seventy cameras were purchased to outfit every firefighter on the City’s staff, including new recruits, paid on-call, part-time and full-time firefighters as well as administrative fire staff. The cameras will be issued as part of the required personal protective equipment for firefighters and will be worn on all required service calls. 

“It’s rare to find a department where every firefighter on staff is equipped with these cameras,” says Associate Director of Public Safety Jeff Bengtson. “We want our staff to have the tools they need, especially when working in situations where lives could be at stake. Through this innovative step, the City of Mankato is leading the way in resident and firefighter safety.”

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