Grant, donations will help fire department improve technology

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Later this summer the Rosemount Fire Department will get two new thermal imaging cameras. While they are pretty neat to play with, fire chief Scott Aker said they are also something the department will use fairly often.

Aker said the department uses thermal imaging to detect where a fire is located if someone reports the smell of smoke but doesn’t see fire. For larger incidents, the cameras can detect if fire exists inside the walls of a building. They can also assist firefighters in finding people.

The department currently has a thermal imaging camera that is large and cumbersome. Aker said the current machine is technologically insufficient. He said newer models are lighter, more compact and offer more.

Aker said the department will equip both stations with a camera. The cameras range in price from $4,000 to $14,000 apiece. Aker said they are looking at the more moderately priced cameras but something that will meet their needs.

To help with the cost department recently received a $2,500 grant from CenterPoint Energy. Additionally, the fire department received a $1,000 gift from the Rosemount American Legion Post 65 for the camera. Aker said they are grateful for support and hope to raise more money before they purchase the cameras.

The department will research its different options over the coming weeks. Aker said they hope to purchase the two cameras later this summer.

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