Mary and Scott McDonald presented the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District with two checks totaling $972 to be used toward purchasing a thermal imaging camera. par
Of the funds, $472 was donated to the McDonald family after their house was destroyed by fire last summer. The McDonalds donated the remaining $500. par
The donation was “in appreciation for the fact that we have an excellent fire department,” Mary McDonald said. “They’re response was good, and we appreciate everything they did.”par
The thermal imaging camera will be “a positive asset to help in response to fires,” Mrs. McDonald said. “We’re really, really fortunate, and we really appreciate they’re response and dedication to our community.”par
The donation puts the department over its goal to purchase its first thermal imaging camera, Fire Chief Mike Beaver said.par
Initially, the camera the department wanted to buy cost about $15,000. Since the department started trying to raise funds for it last year, the technology has improved, and the department has already ordered a smaller, better camera for $9,300. It would li
ke to purchase a second camera. par
The new camera will be installed on the department’s first-out engine, Chief Beaver said. The camera is used to locate hot spots, find fires and improve firefighter safety. par
It can be used to find fires hidden in spaces within the walls of a structure, Chief Beaver said, and it can pinpoint the location of a downed firefighter. par
“What it will do is to help us leave a fire knowing it’s completely extinguished,” Chief Beaver s