WOODSTOCK – About 40 firefighters from Oxford County, along with Maine Warden Service and state police personnel, trained Wednesday in using a thermal imaging camera.

The session was hosted by Woodstock Fire Chief Geff Inman.

“I’m glad all of you came tonight and I appreciate your help,” Inman told them. “This training session won’t do it all, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

He said the training session was designed to help wardens and state police see what the new technology could do at night.

Inman presented a slide show that explained its basic uses and function. The camera focuses on heat sources to show firefighters hot spots in a building. It also can pinpoint victims.

Maine Warden Service area supervisor Norman Lewis said, “We want to know what this camera will provide for us. We appreciate all the help we get from local fire personnel during a rescue and we feel this new technology will be a great help to us.”

The steps used in a search and rescue include securing a scene where a missing person was last seen, then having professional rescuers do a thorough ground search with volunteers, dogs and aircraft. The thermal camera can be used on the ground or in the air to help locate the person.

The training session moved to the town recreation park on Lakeside Drive, where everyone had an opportunity to use the camera. Everyone indicated they were impressed by the advantages the camera offers.

More training sessions will be planned.

Towns represented were Woodstock, Bethel, Gilead, Newry, Sumner, Paris, Buckfield, Greenwood and Mexico. Also attending were representatives of the Tri-Town Rescue Service.

“This was a very successful meeting,” Inman said. “It pointed out that everybody needs to work together and know how to work at night.”

“And also people need to know that the $12,000 cost of our camera was covered by a $6,000 grant from the Cole Foundation of Bangor and private donations. No money had to be raised by our taxpayers.”