Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 16/05) - A donation from the Yellowknife Elks Lodge and Order of the Royal Purple will put the latest thermal imaging camera to work for the fire department.

Despite total darkness, an image of deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar shows clearly on a thermal imaging camera. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

"The Elks and Royal Purple have been tremendous supporters of public safety," said Yellowknife deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar.

The camera detects heat radiated from a human in a building engulfed in smoke or flames and allows firefighters to speed the rescue of anyone trapped inside.

It can also enable firefighters to pinpoint the location of a fire or hot spot inside a building.

The fire department already has two of the cameras. The third, valued at $14,656.13, will place an imaging camera in each of the pumper trucks.

The newest camera will allow the image to be transmitted to a viewing screen in the command vehicle at the fire scene.

"It enhances our firefighter safety," Dewar said.

Dave Hurley, general manager of the Elks Lodge, said both groups have always been good supporters of the fire department.

"It was a request they sent to us and the Royal Purple and we reviewed it and thought it was a good idea for the department and the community as a whole," Hurley said.