Members of East Whiteland spent Friday evening bettering their skills using the TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) and guiding crews through a simulated smoke filled environment. The members where split into teams of 3. Two members on the "search team" had their hoods turned around to cover the face piece on their mask to simulate the zero visibility conditions firefighters usually encounter in a smoke filled burning building. The third member of the crew used the TIC to find several towels soaked in hot water. The heat from the towels created a heat signature, which the TIC could find and read, to simulate the heat signature produced by victims in a fire.

The goal of the drill was to guide the blindfolded members to the heat signature through a maze of chairs, tables, and trash cans in the station banquet hall. Each group was able to successfully complete the task, and the drill was great practice refining our search and rescue skills!

The members would like to thank Lt. Demarco and the C platoon for setting up and assisting with this drill.