SFD Receives DHS Grant for SONAR and FLIR Systems
The Salisbury Fire Department has been awarded an FY 2018 Port Security Grant in the amount of $42,577.00 from the Department of Homeland Security for enhanced maritime operations. The grant covers two projects which includes a Side Scan SONAR system and a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) RADAR system.
Side Scan SONAR is a device that is dragged underwater behind or alongside a marine vessel. It is able to provide an understanding of the differences in materials and texture type of the riverbed. It is commonly utilized to detect debris items and other potentially hazardous obstructions which can’t be seen from the surface. It may also serve to find wrecks, bodies of drowning/near-drowning victims, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) devices, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and is often utilized in evidence collection, such as weapon or drug searches.
Forward-Looking Infrared RADAR (FLIR) cameras utilize sensors to detect infrared radiation typically emitted from a heat source to create an image assembled for video output. FLIR is utilized by boat pilots to steer their vessels at night, in fog, or in any reduced visibility situation.
The Port of Salisbury falls under the command of the Port of Baltimore Sector which identified vulnerability gaps in its Port-wide Strategic Risk Management Plan (SRMP). The projects will allow the Salisbury Fire Department to enhance its marine operational capabilities to provide protection to the Port of Salisbury; especially with regard to nighttime domain awareness and will be available to provide assistance to fire departments in the surrounding region. The individual units will also provide assistance to the Salisbury Police Department (SPD) and Natural Resources Police when requested.
The equipment allows the SFD to meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents through its capability to “see” into the darkness to find victims of accidents and/or criminal suspects (when requested by Law Enforcement). It also allows the Department to meet NFPA 1925: Standard on Marine Firefighting Vessels.
The $42,577.00 award represents 75% of the project’s total cost and the equipment is expected to be installed and in service by March of 2019.
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For what, a fire boat which has spent more time on land then in the water since they got it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of why much of government should be shut down PERMANANTLY. This equipment is for a fireboat that has never been used since it was acquired seven years ago and has already racked up over $50,000 in repairs and maintenance costs and has been in a repair yard in Crisfield for months at a time. It is useless equipment for a useless toy.
ReplyDeleteBeing installed on WHAT??
ReplyDeleteActually the fireboat has been used at 3 fires and 4 water rescues sorry just the facts.
ReplyDeleteWhat did three people light a cigarette on it and then four people jump off the boat??
DeleteAny emergency equipment should be outfitted properly or dont have it just my opinion
ReplyDeleteBill
Sad there has been so much wrong with this boat it's a lemon bottom line that SFD is stuck with. Sue the boat maker.
ReplyDeleteOcean city's boat is a piece of junk too nothing but problems with it also..
ReplyDelete"...fireboat has been used at 3 fires and 4 water rescues..."
ReplyDeleteTrue, the boat was alerted for these situations but served no useful purpose at either one.
I'm sure these idiots will know how to use it!
ReplyDelete