The camera was purchased through a grant from the Cole Family Foundation.
OTISFIELD – Fire Chief Garry Dyer announced his department was recently awarded a thermal imaging camera through a grant from the Cole Family Foundation during the board meeting Wednesday night.

“The Cole Foundation grant Jeff Jacobs wrote for the department got us the camera,” Dyer said. “They gave us two to choose from.”

Dyer explained four department members will try both cameras on Saturday and attend training on using the camera. The grant also includes a two-day training for fire personnel. Dyer explained a second team of four department members will attend the training and then instruct the remaining department members on how to use the camera.

“I want to thank Jeff Jacobs for writing the grant and the Cole Foundation for making it possible for us to have a camera,” Dyer said.

During town meeting in March, voters approved the $5,750 match for the grant. The community can pay the match in two annual payments but after Dyer explained paying the entire match in one year allows more communities the opportunity to get a camera, the selectmen voted to pay the full amount this year. The camera has an estimated value of $12,500 and Dyer priced the camera and training package at $15,000.

In other Fire Department business, the selectmen approved setting up a fitness center at Spurrs Corner Fire Station for the Fire Department.

“It is a pro-active way to prevent a heart attack,” Selectman Lenny Adler said.

Dyer noted fitness equipment for the center was donated to the department and Recreation Director Barbara Dunham has offered to help with training department members on the equipment.

Because the selectmen only approved use of the fitness equipment by Fire Department members, not association members or members of firefighter’s families, Dyer said he has to bring it back to his department for discussion.