Thermal imaging has revolutionized the way fire is fought. By allowing firefighters to see in dense, smoke-filled environments, this technology makes firefighting faster and safer while, most importantly, saving lives. A Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) is a device containing a sensor that reacts to infrared energy from surrounding objects and converts the "thermal signature" to a visible image. The thermal images generated also provide additional information not normally seen by emergency response personnel, making the device a useful tool for a variety of other non-fire applications
The IR detectors in the cameras utilized for this application sense minute temperature differences caused by long-wave, infrared photons striking their sensor surfaces. Changes in the environmental temperature around the components cause noise and adversely affect the performance of the device. Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) stabilize the temperature of the IR detectors ensuring what the camera measures produces only results from external photonic sources.
Related Information:
Firehouse.com News - Article: Thermal Imaging Camera Credited for Saving Child (October 19, 1999)
Firehouse.com News - Article: Thermal Imaging Camera Helps Save Three Kids (April 26, 2001)
