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Crime & Safety

Fire Department Shopping For New High-Tech Equipment

Grant-writing firefighter lands $34,000 to buy thermal imagers and a rescue saw.

Lt. Jeff Cochran, a firefighter/paramedic, can confidently add grant writing to his list of job skills. Thanks to his efforts, the department has been awarded nearly $34,000 to purchase new life-saving equipment.

That award comes on the heels of that have been vacant since early 2008. Cochran also authored that grant request. City Council approved filling three of those vacancies, and Chief Bill Kalbaugh said the city is still testing to fill the other two positions.

The recent award of $33,930 comes courtesy of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program. Stow is one of 177 Ohio fire departments splitting a pot of $19,085,032 made available in the AFG’s 2010 funding cycle.

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Cochran said the AFG grant will fund the purchase of four thermal imaging cameras and a new rescue saw.

Thermal imaging cameras use infrared technology to give firefighters “sight” inside dark or smoky buildings. Since they detect temperature differences, the cameras are useful in locating victims inside burning buildings and pinpointing the base of a fire, he said. At accident scenes, thermal imagers can be used to help locate victims trapped in vehicles.

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“We’re really excited about it because right now we have three first-generation cameras that are about 15 years old. In that period of time the technology has come a long way with performance and features,” said Cochran. “The ones we have were great in their day, but we’ve run into shortcomings with them. These new ones should be outstanding.”

He said the department is currently researching the pros and cons of the various models of thermal imagers on the market.

“We haven’t ordered them yet because we’re still evaluating which cameras will be best in our funding range. We’ll get demo units, so we’re looking forward to doing some head-to-head testing with the various cameras,” said Cochran.

The new thermal imagers will replace the old cameras carried on the three fire engines that are based at the city’s three fire stations. The department’s ladder truck, which has never had a thermal imager on board, will now be equipped with one.

The old cameras, which are still usable, will be relocated to other department vehicles.

Cochran said the department also is buying a new rescue saw, which is similar to a giant circular saw but much stronger and more versatile. The model being eyed is gas powered, has a two-stroke motor and 14-inch interchangeable blades that can cut through a variety of materials, including wood, metal and concrete.

He said the saw’s versatility is invaluable at fire scenes.

“If we have to ventilate the roof of a supermarket, we need to cut through steel and wood. If we have to rescue somebody and there are bars on the window, we need to cut through metal quickly,” Cochran explained.

The new saw will be placed on the city’s ladder truck, which currently does not have one. “We’re getting the ladder truck where it should be (equipment-wise), considering the role it plays. We just haven’t had the money to get the extra equipment we needed," said Cochran.

In a recent press release announcing the 2010 AFG recipients, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said the program is an integral component in the Department of Homeland Security's effort to strengthen the nation's general level of preparedness and capacity to respond to fire and related dangers

"Our first responders put their lives on the line every day across Ohio," said Brown. "These funds ensure that firefighters … have the equipment and resources they need to perform their jobs safely."

Cochran said the AFG program has funded past Stow purchases of Toughbooks, which are rugged laptop computers that are mounted in fire engines and ambulances, and 800 MHz radio system equipment.

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