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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Governor Fletcher presents thermal imaging cameras to fire departments
SUNSHINE, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2005) - Eleven fire departments across Kentucky are being awarded thermal imaging cameras through a Homeland Security grant secured by the State Fire Marshal’s office, Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today.
Governor Fletcher presented one of the cameras to the Sunshine Volunteer Fire Department in Harlan County.
The cameras enable firefighters to see heat instead of light in a smoke-filled room. The cameras can detect a person trapped in a fire and protect firefighters by detecting structural dangers caused by fire.
"Kentucky is fortunate to have dedicated firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of our state," Governor Fletcher said "These thermal imaging cameras will enable our firefighters to save more lives, better protect our citizens and prevent injuries or deaths to themselves."
State Fire Marshal Al Mitchell said "life safety is paramount" for firefighters. "These high-tech cameras can reveal electrical hazards, fires behind walls and can measure the temperature of the heat in a building or on the surface of an object," Mitchell said.
Thermal imaging cameras will be distributed to 10 other fire departments and volunteer fire departments (VFD) across Kentucky: Estill County Fire Department, Neon Fire Department (Letcher County), Ekron Fire Department (Meade County), Bromley Fire Department (Kenton County), Zion and Reed VFDs (Henderson County), Phelps and Johns Creek VFDs (Pike County), Hutchinson Station Fire Department (Bourbon County), and Mount Eden Fire Department (Shelby County).
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