HOWLAND – Beginning Monday, members of the Howland Volunteer Fire Department will kick off a campaign to raise $8,075 for a new thermal imaging camera.

The volunteer department had planned to begin its fund-raising campaign this week, but postponed it out of respect for firefighter Joe Ireland, who was killed in a snowmobile accident late last week.

Fire Chief Phil Dawson Jr. said the department will send out letters soliciting donations from area businesses and towns.

Dawson said the thermal imaging camera – a device that uses heat to create a picture – is valued at more than $18,000, but thanks to the generosity of the Galen Cole Family Foundation, the department will be able to acquire the camera by raising $8,075.

This year, the foundation has purchased 46 thermal imaging cameras for Maine fire departments.

“This device can be of great assistance in locating a person in a burning structure with heavy smoke conditions or locating fires quickly and efficiently, thus helping to reduce fire damage,” said Dawson. “With this device, you can locate someone much quicker in a burning house and you can locate the fire quicker.” He said that in many fire situations there is much more smoke than flames, making it difficult to find the fire.

The chief said the device can help save lives, reduce damage caused by fire and its suppression and enhance safety by limiting firefighters’ exposure to injury.

Dawson said the department will receive the new camera in March. He said the department plans to raise the $8,075 by December.

Should the department raise more than its goal, the additional funds would be used to purchase rescue type equipment that will best serve the people of the area.

The department provides fire services for Howland, Enfield, Edinburg, Maxfield, a portion of Medford and Seboeis. It also assists several other area fire departments.

Dawson said the department will continue to be committed to providing all residents in the communities it serves with the best fire protection it can.

The first fund-raising effort will be a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 11, at the town office.

Donations may be sent to the Howland Volunteer Fire Department in care of its treasurer, Phil Dawson Sr., or they may be left at the Howland Town Office.