With grant, fire officials shop for thermal camera

The Newport Beach Fire Department will receive a $25,000 grant package from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company today thanks to the same program that awarded Costa Mesa Fire thousands earlier this month.

With the money, Newport Beach fire officials said they’ll receive one of the most important pieces of equipment a firefighter could have: high-tech thermal imaging cameras.

Shorepoint Insurance Services teamed up with Fireman’s Insurance to award the money to Newport Beach for the cameras, which can locate hot spots inside walls by reading the temperature of whatever you point it at.

The cameras give firefighters the ability to essentially see through smoke and darkness and quickly locate anyone trapped in a burning building. The pair of newly purchased cameras will mean now each of Newport Beach’s 10 fire engines will have one on board.

— Joseph Serna