FORT KENT, Maine — The Fort Kent Fire Department now has a new thermal imaging camera thanks to a donation of roughly $7,000 from the Fort Kent Lion’s Club.
The camera, a FLIR K65, meets National Fire Protection Association Standards for thermal imagers and can help firefighters in numerous ways, from finding where people are during a fire, to finding the hottest part of a fire when determining the source to the flames. It can also be used to rescue or locate someone who may be lost on snowmobile and ATV trails.
“It’s very good for search and rescue,” Fort Kent Fire Chief Cole Pelletier said. “We’re going to be using it for a simulated snowmobile accident. It’s very good to use in searching for victims who may be injured outdoors.”
He said they use thermal imaging to locate the spot with the most heat during a fire, which helps firefighters determine where to attack the fire. They also use it after a fire is mostly out to ensure that it has not extended anywhere else. It can even be used to help organizations and building facility personnel find cold spots in their buildings. Pelletier said the camera is used in home and commercial construction inspections to find spots with insufficient insulation.
Pelletier said that while there is money budgeted for equipment like this, the amount is small in comparison to rising costs of all firefighting equipment. The department currently owns over $3 million worth of equipment and operates on a $180,000 budget. And they’ve been busier than ever. Pelletier said that in 2025 the department responded to 145 calls for service, which is a record number of incidents for the department.
This is not the first time the Lion’s Club has helped the department with equipment. Pelletier said he is aware of at least one other time the club donated money to the department to purchase a Snowbulance which, as the name suggests, helps emergency personnel rescue snowmobilers in need of immediate assistance.
Pelletier said the department has $6,000 for the whole year that it can spend on “minor equipment,” which would have been completely depleted if used to purchase this camera.
The old camera was roughly 15 years old and the batteries would no longer charge. The chief said that, because of the camera’s age, he could no longer buy batteries for it.
“The fire department would like to extend its gratitude and appreciation to the local Lion’s club for their support in this process,” Pelletier said. “The thermal imaging camera is a fundamental and crucial piece of equipment for the fire department.”
