NUNICA — The Crockery Township Fire Department's newest equipment should have residents feeling much safer.

The department is now equipped with one of the most advanced thermal imaging cameras, thanks to a donation from 500 For Life, a nonprofit firefighting organization.

Last week, the Crockery department received a $13,000 state-of-the-art Bullard T-4 thermal imager, which could help save the lives of fire victims and firefighters.

The department's previous imaging camera quit working over a year ago, said Crockery Township Fire Chief Gary Dreyer. According to Dreyer, the manufacturer stopped making parts for the camera, leaving the fire department with an obsolete piece of equipment.

The latest equipment helps firefighters detect hot spots on a scene, leaving less guesswork when knocking down a fire. The camera can show firefighters where heat is resonating from, using a spectrum of color to show the level of heat.

Previously, the Crockery department relied on other departments' equipment, but Crockery Township Supervisor Leon Stille said the new thermal imaging camera gives the firefighters "that added capability rather than waiting for another department."

"There's no guessing what might be lurking undercover," Stille said, adding that the camera can detect if a person is in a smoke-filled room.

Stille and Dreyer said the camera isn't necessarily needed for every fire, but it is useful, especially in situations where firefighters can smell burning wire or need to locate the origin of a larger fire.

Crockery Township was one of 10 fire departments in the U.S. to receive one of the thermal imaging cameras.

500 For Life donated the thermal imaging camera because the organization says almost half of the 30,000 fire departments in the country have an insufficient supply of thermal imaging cameras. The organization selects recipients based on need, prioritized on criteria such as the number of fires fought each year, and the amount of funding available from other sources.

"It's a big deal to us because it saves us some capital outlay within our fire department budget," Stille said, adding that the department now has extra money to purchase additional pagers to replace outdated ones. "It was a nice surprise to find out we were getting the camera. Gary had put in for the grant some time ago, so it was sort of out of the blue."

New Charity Donates Thermal Cameras

Source: Firechief.com Aug 28, 2007 11:47 AM

by Rick Markley

An existing program to donate thermal imaging cameras to fire departments has gotten a shot in the arm from an Atlanta businessman.

After watching the documentary "Into the Fire", Atlanta real estate mogul Frank Buonanotte was so inspired that he donated several thermal imaging camera to departments that could not afford them. But, the philanthropist said he wanted to do more, and last year began asking friends and colleagues to give up one months' worth of dining out, $500, to help buy more TICs. Many gave more; some donated enough to buy a TIC, Buonanotte said.

Buonanotte established a not-for-profit organization, 500 For Life, to collect and dispense the donations. Buonanotte pays for all of the organization's operating expenses so that all of the donated money goes to buying TICs. In January, he joined forces with Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Fireman's Fund created the Heritage program in 2004 and has since funneled more than $14 million in grants to 450 fire organizations and fire departments. Part of that program provides TICs to fire departments; the Heritage program has already awarded more than $1 million to buy 150 TICs. Fireman's Fund also produced "Into the Fire" and uses proceeds from its DVD sales to help fund its grants. The partnership meant that 500 For Life could work through Fireman's Fund's infrastructure of collecting and assessing grant applications. It also meant a serious cash infusion into the Heritage program.

Bounanotte's solicitations generated more than $120,000, which he used to buy 10 TICs that he gave away to fire departments during the International Association of Fire Chief's Fire-Rescue International show in August in Atlanta.

Frank has been like a five-year-old kid on Christmas Eve waiting for this day to come, said Brad Harvey, thermal imaging product manager for Bullard. Bullard sells its TICs to the Heritage program at five for the price of four, he said. The retail value of the TICs donated at FRI was $13,000 each.

"Our mission will only be complete when each fire department has the thermal imaging cameras it needs," Buonanotte said.

The 10 departments awarded free TICs were:

Roswell (Ga.) Fire Department
Clayton (Ga.) Volunteer Fire Department
Hall County (Ga.) Fire Services
Henry County (Ga.) Fire Department
Flint Hill (Ga.) Fire Department
City of Gray (Ga.) Fire Department
McLewis (Texas) Volunteer Fire Department
Potosi (Texas) Volunteer Fire Department
Baker (Ore.) Rural Fire Protection District
Crockery Township (Mich.) Fire Department

Spring Lake apartment fire drill helpful

Tue, Jul 17, 2007
BY BECKY VARGO
bvargo@grandhaventribune.com

SPRING LAKE — Residents of Evergreen Village Apartments, 217 DeWitt Lane, said they liked the way a fire department training exercise was being handled at their complex — even if it meant they had to be out of their homes for a couple of hours Monday evening.

And it was a lot nicer waiting outside for transportation on a calm and cool summer evening, instead of the cold day a few years ago when a real fire broke out in one of the apartments at the complex.

In early December 2004, a fire started in a trash can in a third-floor apartment at Evergreen Village. The trash can was placed on the balcony while residents were evacuated from the building. The fire spread from the trash can to the balcony and then to the apartment.

Nobody was injured in the wintertime fire, but residents had to be outside in cold, blustery winds as they waited for assistance to the nearby Spring Lake Presbyterian Church.

"Due to it's age, Evergreen Village was not designed to have a fire suppression system," Spring Lake Township Fire Lt. Brian Sipe said. "Since the fire, (apartment manager Theresa Twa) and the rest of the organization have stepped up to the plate and have installed a fire suppression system, new smoke and heat detectors, and a new medical call system."

Sipe added: "Theresa and her team have proven that the safety and wellness of their residents is their No. 1 priority. For as much as we as firefighters are always training on fire tactics and strategies, the significance lies in exactly what they have done — fire prevention and awareness."

Twa said all of the residents in the 60-unit building were participating in Monday's drill, which began around 7:30 p.m. and was planned and implemented by the fire department. Twa said they held meetings to make sure the residents were aware of what was going to happen and the proper procedures for them to exit the building.

"I thought it was handled professionally," she said.

Twa noted that the firefighters addressed the needs of the residents in a personal manner, and that the residents cooperated and did their part.

The residents were taken by a Harbor Transit bus to the park pavilion next to the Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, where they were treated to refreshments.

Crockery Township firefighters also participated in the drill.


	Crockery Firefighters Will See the Heat with New Thermal Imager Source: Grand Haven Tribune.Tue, Sep 4, 2007 BY CHRIS EPPLETT cepplett@grandhaventribune.com NUNICA — The Crockery Township Fire Department's newest equipment should have residents feeling much safer. The department is now equipped with one of the most advanced thermal imaging cameras, thanks to a donation from 500 For Life, a nonprofit firefighting organization. Last week, the Crockery department received a $13,000 state-of-the-art Bullard T-4 thermal imager, which could help save the lives of fire victims and firefighters. The department's previous imaging camera quit working over a year ago, said Crockery Township Fire Chief Gary Dreyer. According to Dreyer, the manufacturer stopped making parts for the camera, leaving the fire department with an obsolete piece of equipment. The latest equipment helps firefighters detect hot spots on a scene, leaving less guesswork when knocking down a fire. The camera can show firefighters where heat is resonating from, using a spectrum of color to show the level of heat. Previously, the Crockery department relied on other departments' equipment, but Crockery Township Supervisor Leon Stille said the new thermal imaging camera gives the firefighters "that added capability rather than waiting for another department." "There's no guessing what might be lurking undercover," Stille said, adding that the camera can detect if a person is in a smoke-filled room. Stille and Dreyer said the camera isn't necessarily needed for every fire, but it is useful, especially in situations where firefighters can smell burning wire or need to locate the origin of a larger fire. Crockery Township was one of 10 fire departments in the U.S. to receive one of the thermal imaging cameras. 500 For Life donated the thermal imaging camera because the organization says almost half of the 30,000 fire departments in the country have an insufficient supply of thermal imaging cameras. The organization selects recipients based on need, prioritized on criteria such as the number of fires fought each year, and the amount of funding available from other sources. "It's a big deal to us because it saves us some capital outlay within our fire department budget," Stille said, adding that the department now has extra money to purchase additional pagers to replace outdated ones. "It was a nice surprise to find out we were getting the camera. Gary had put in for the grant some time ago, so it was sort of out of the blue." New Charity Donates Thermal Cameras Source: Firechief.com Aug 28, 2007 11:47 AM by Rick Markley An existing program to donate thermal imaging cameras to fire departments has gotten a shot in the arm from an Atlanta businessman. After watching the documentary "Into the Fire", Atlanta real estate mogul Frank Buonanotte was so inspired that he donated several thermal imaging camera to departments that could not afford them. But, the philanthropist said he wanted to do more, and last year began asking friends and colleagues to give up one months' worth of dining out, $500, to help buy more TICs. Many gave more; some donated enough to buy a TIC, Buonanotte said. Buonanotte established a not-for-profit organization, 500 For Life, to collect and dispense the donations. Buonanotte pays for all of the organization's operating expenses so that all of the donated money goes to buying TICs. In January, he joined forces with Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Fireman's Fund created the Heritage program in 2004 and has since funneled more than $14 million in grants to 450 fire organizations and fire departments. Part of that program provides TICs to fire departments; the Heritage program has already awarded more than $1 million to buy 150 TICs. Fireman's Fund also produced "Into the Fire" and uses proceeds from its DVD sales to help fund its grants. The partnership meant that 500 For Life could work through Fireman's Fund's infrastructure of collecting and assessing grant applications. It also meant a serious cash infusion into the Heritage program. Bounanotte's solicitations generated more than $120,000, which he used to buy 10 TICs that he gave away to fire departments during the International Association of Fire Chief's Fire-Rescue International show in August in Atlanta. Frank has been like a five-year-old kid on Christmas Eve waiting for this day to come, said Brad Harvey, thermal imaging product manager for Bullard. Bullard sells its TICs to the Heritage program at five for the price of four, he said. The retail value of the TICs donated at FRI was $13,000 each. "Our mission will only be complete when each fire department has the thermal imaging cameras it needs," Buonanotte said. The 10 departments awarded free TICs were: Roswell (Ga.) Fire Department Clayton (Ga.) Volunteer Fire Department Hall County (Ga.) Fire Services Henry County (Ga.) Fire Department Flint Hill (Ga.) Fire Department City of Gray (Ga.) Fire Department McLewis (Texas) Volunteer Fire Department Potosi (Texas) Volunteer Fire Department Baker (Ore.) Rural Fire Protection District Crockery Township (Mich.) Fire Department Spring Lake apartment fire drill helpful Tue, Jul 17, 2007 BY BECKY VARGO bvargo@grandhaventribune.com SPRING LAKE — Residents of Evergreen Village Apartments, 217 DeWitt Lane, said they liked the way a fire department training exercise was being handled at their complex — even if it meant they had to be out of their homes for a couple of hours Monday evening. And it was a lot nicer waiting outside for transportation on a calm and cool summer evening, instead of the cold day a few years ago when a real fire broke out in one of the apartments at the complex. In early December 2004, a fire started in a trash can in a third-floor apartment at Evergreen Village. The trash can was placed on the balcony while residents were evacuated from the building. The fire spread from the trash can to the balcony and then to the apartment. Nobody was injured in the wintertime fire, but residents had to be outside in cold, blustery winds as they waited for assistance to the nearby Spring Lake Presbyterian Church. "Due to it's age, Evergreen Village was not designed to have a fire suppression system," Spring Lake Township Fire Lt. Brian Sipe said. "Since the fire, (apartment manager Theresa Twa) and the rest of the organization have stepped up to the plate and have installed a fire suppression system, new smoke and heat detectors, and a new medical call system." Sipe added: "Theresa and her team have proven that the safety and wellness of their residents is their No. 1 priority. For as much as we as firefighters are always training on fire tactics and strategies, the significance lies in exactly what they have done — fire prevention and awareness." Twa said all of the residents in the 60-unit building were participating in Monday's drill, which began around 7:30 p.m. and was planned and implemented by the fire department. Twa said they held meetings to make sure the residents were aware of what was going to happen and the proper procedures for them to exit the building. "I thought it was handled professionally," she said. Twa noted that the firefighters addressed the needs of the residents in a personal manner, and that the residents cooperated and did their part. The residents were taken by a Harbor Transit bus to the park pavilion next to the Spring Lake Presbyterian Church, where they were treated to refreshments. Crockery Township firefighters also participated in the drill.
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Crockery Firefighters Will See the Heat with New Thermal Imager

New Charity Donates Thermal Cameras