THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA: DEVELOPING A FIREFIGHTER PROFICIENCY EVALUATION FIRE SERVICE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BY: Andre J. Theriault Ipswich Fire Department Ipswich, Massachusetts An applied research project submitted to the National Fire Academy as part of the Executive Fire Officer Program October 2001 2 ABSTRACT Through the Massachusetts Firefighter Safety Equipment Program grant, the Ipswich Fire Department (IFD) was able to purchase a Bullard thermal imaging camera (TIC). After initial training was completed on all shifts, the TIC was placed into service. The problem was the IFD does not have a procedure to evaluate its personnel on TIC proficiency. The purpose of the applied research project (ARP) was to develop a written test and practical skills checklist to evaluate TIC proficiency. Action research methodology was used to answer the following three research questions: 1. What operational features of the TIC must a firefighter demonstrate proficiency using? 2. What TIC concepts and terminology must a firefighter comprehend? 3. What types of evaluation procedures do other fire departments use to measure TIC proficiency? The procedures that were used for this ARP included a literature review, internet search, and a survey. The initial literature review was conducted at the Learning Resource Center at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Applicable information was collected from trade journals, books, periodicals, and applied research projects. Additional information was gathered from the IFD library, local library, manufacturer brochures, and an internet search. The second procedure was a survey sent to fire departments, across the country, which had a Bullard thermal imaging camera. The survey was used to determine what types of evaluation procedures were being used to evaluate firefighter TIC proficiency. The results showed firefighters had to have a clear understanding of the technology that was incorporated in the TIC. Firefighters needed to know the operational features of the camera. 3 The results showed that firefighters had to have a clear understanding of TIC terminology and concepts. The survey results indicated fire departments did not use a firefighter proficiency evaluation system to verify that their firefighters were competent in using a TIC. The following recommendations were made with regard to firefighter proficiency evaluations for the TIC. • Incorporate the written exam and practical skills checklists into the TIC training program. • Choose and implement one type of search method. • Train and evaluate members on the chosen search method. • Develop practical skills checklists for the skills in the training opportunities list. • Incorporate a firefighter proficiency evaluation into the monthly training and annual refresher course. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………2 TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………..4 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….5 BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE………………………………………………………5 LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………………………………….8 PROCEDURES..……………………………………………………………………………….17 RESULTS……………………………………………………………………………………….20 DISCUSSION……...……………………………………………………………………………24 RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………………………………………….25 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………….27 APPENDIX A (TIC Proficiency Evaluation Survey)………………………………………...30 APPENDIX B (Cover Letter)………………………………………………………………….32 APPENDIX C (Survey Results)………………………………………………………………..33 APPENDIX D (Written Test)………………………………………………………………….36 APPENDIX E (TIC Operation Practical Skills Checklist)……….………………………….42 APPENDIX F (TIC Battery Charging Practical Skills Checklist)…………………………..43 APPENDIX G (TIC Transmitter Set Up Practical Skills Checklist)………………………..44 APPENDIX H (Training Opportunities)……………………………………………………...45 5 INTRODUCTION On December 3, 1999 six Worcester firefighters lost their lives at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Company (Eisner, 2000a). In part, due to this tragic fire, the state of Massachusetts instituted a Firefighter Safety Equipment Program to provide fire departments with the ability to purchase firefighter safety equipment and thermal imaging cameras. Through this state grant, the Ipswich Fire Department (IFD) was able to purchase, outfit and train department members with a Bullard TI and related equipment. Richardson and Scholer (2001) state, “As with any other training program, instructors must evaluate the progress of trainees through written tests and practical hands-on skill evaluations” (p.88). The problem is the IFD does not have a procedure to evaluate its personnel on thermal imaging camera (TIC) proficiency. The purpose of the applied research project (ARP) is to develop a written test and practical skills checklist to evaluate TIC proficiency. Action research methodology was used to answer the following three research questions: 1. What operational features of the TIC must a firefighter demonstrate proficiency using? 2. What TIC concepts and terminology must a firefighter comprehend? 3. What types of evaluation procedures do other fire departments use to measure TIC proficiency? BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE Ipswich, founded in 1633, is one of the oldest towns in the United States. The town is situated along the Atlantic coast approximately 30 miles north of Boston, the state capital. The town encompasses 33 square miles. Ipswich is well known for its 17th century homes. There are 6 over 40 homes built before 1725 that are standing and occupied. The town has a variety of industries and businesses, but is primarily a residential community (History, 2001). The protection of the town and its 13,602 residents (Richards, 2000) is the responsibility of the IFD. The IFD protects $1,452,461,398 in real estate and personal property (Ragonese, 2000). In 2000, the IFD responded to 1,400 calls for assistance, conducted 903 inspections and completed 2,138 hours of training (Michalski, 2000). The IFD is a combination department organized as part of the Ipswich Department of Public Safety (Ipswich Fire Department, 1996). The department consists of 18 career firefighters, 16 call firefighters and 4 recruit call firefighters. The career force is comprised of a chief, 5 lieutenants and 12 firefighters. The career force is divided into 4 duty shifts designated as A, B, C, or D. Each shift is comprised of a lieutenant and three firefighters. The town receives 24-hour coverage with the shifts working a schedule of 24 on, 24 off, 24 on and 5 days off (Town Of Ipswich, 1999). The fifth lieutenant is assigned as the department’s staff lieutenant working a Monday through Friday schedule (Town of Ipswich, 1997). All career members, except for the chief, belong to the union represented by the Ipswich Fire Fighters Local 1913, an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). During the month of March 2000, a fundraising campaign was started by retired firefighter Robert Gambale to purchase at least one TIC for the IFD. In a news article by Mehaffey (2000), Gambale states, “It’s a worthwhile cause. If everybody donated $1.41 we’d be there today” (p.3). The goal is to raise a minimum of $19,000 to purchase the TIC and the necessary equipment to connect the TIC to a monitor (Mehaffey, 2000). To date, this fundraising campaign has not achieved its objective and is continuing to raise the necessary funds. 7 During the latter portion of 2000 the state of Massachusetts, through Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci and the Massachusetts State Legislature, approved and implemented the $10 million Firefighter Safety Equipment Program. The amount of the awards was based on population estimates utilizing a seven-tier system. The program funds could be used to purchase thermal imaging cameras and firefighter safety equipment (Executive Office of Public Safety, 2000). During April of 2001 the IFD received its Bullard TI and commenced training for the career personnel. A sales representative conducted a 2-hour training session for each of the duty shifts. TIC training consisted of a lecture and videotape. The topics covered included TIC operation, dos and don’ts, TIC applications, terms, transmitter set up, and maintenance. The only practical portion was on TIC operation and the set up of the transmitting equipment (Theriault, 2001). The training did not include any type of evaluation of the personnel on TIC proficiency. Richardson (2001a) states, “As with any other training program, instructors must evaluate the progress of trainees through written tests and practical hands-on skill evaluations” (p. 4). The past and present indicate that the TIC will be an invaluable asset for the IFD. Clearly, an evaluation system needs to be established for the TIC. The IFD needs to evaluate the competency and progress of the trained personnel and the personnel to be trained in the future. The goal of this ARP is to develop a written test and practical skills checklist to evaluate TIC proficiency. This applied research project was completed to fulfill the course requirements for the Fire Service Financial Management program. The planning model used for financial evaluation had applications to this project. The control (input), efficiency (output), effectiveness (outcomes) and 8 feedback components utilized in the planning model is adaptable to training (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1997). LITERATURE REVIEW Research Question 1: The operational features of a TIC can be divided into two segments. The technology behind how the TIC operates and the operational features that a firefighter should