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In this extra episode, we chat with FLIR about their new innovations – PRIMED and the new G510.
Complete Show Notes
1:05 Episode Introduction
- FLIR PRIMED is a video series designed for first responders and people on the ground
- 2-3 minute videos on a variety of subjects – some are sent in by the readers
- Free downloads called “Hazmat Minutes” are also available – white papers, research, quick guides, drills, etc.
- Topics include:
- Radiation
- Explosives
- LARA radiation safety
- Metering
- Unknown powders
- Rad particles
- Goal is to keep it simple with lessons first responders can take with them and use on the job
3:15 Background on Grant Coffey
- Product manager at FLIR within the FLIR detection line
- Been with the company for around 9 years
- Originally worked on the research science side before transitioning into project management
- Background in analytical and biochemistry and field-able instrumentation in harsh environments
- Responsible for the meters we carry with us on the rig
- Their meters center around GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and are designed for chemical identification
- Has run a hazmat team in Portland for around 37 years and teaches courses at the fire college
- Background as a radiation specialist, but has plenty of experience with emergency management
4:00 FLIR’s Role in CBRNE
- CBRNE stands for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense
- Very robust in radiation, explosives detection, bio, and many other cutting-edge products
- Working to couple their monitors with education – it’s crucial that we all know how to use our monitors and meters – this is the point of PRIMED
- Goal is to motivate first responders to talk about PRIMED topics and use the videos and downloads during training
7:00 Background on Philip Tackett
- Product manager at FLIR who’s responsible for making sure the products they design provide outstanding chemical detection
- This commitment to excellence ranges across an entire line of products, employments, and fidelities
- Includes everything from the detection of chemicals right up to mass spectrometry
- Predominantly worked on the mass spec side making these units amenable to field use – this is a pretty big challenge
8:20 Biggest Challenges Working with Mass Spec
- Making the unit workable for everyone, from firefighters and first responders to hazmat technicians and police officers
- They also have to be firefighter-proof and able to take a beating in the field
- Units also have to be simple and easy to use so they can be used efficiently on-scene
9:30 FLIR PRIMED’s Intended Audience
- Goal is to not just be for first responders – they also want to help industry reps, hospitals, environmental companies, manufacturing facilities, and many others
- They try to tailor all of their PRIMED videos to suit people across industries, from the field to the lab
- This is why they encourage their audience to provide ideas – helps FLIR provide the most relevant and helpful lessons possible
- Go to their website and send them an email with input, ideas, and suggestions
12:10 The FLIR G510 (Griffin 510) Meter
- Person portable GC/MS that’s designed to be carried downrange into a chemical response mission
- Provides high-class chemical identification right at the site of entrance
- Based on a quadruple mass analyzer – allows us to integrate to the widest chemical library available
- FLIR builds their own library based on the NIST Library
- GC on the front end can take a dirty sample (i.e. homemade drugs or explosives) and separate it by its chemical components
- Primarily used in lab environments, but FLIR is working to bring mass spec into the field
- Mass spec units are traditionally large, power-hungry, and expensive, but the G510 eliminates these problems
- The G510’s target is the first responder, which is why they’ve made it lighter (35 lbs.) and easier to transport
- Comes in one box and is designed to be carried easily – any necessary attachments also fit inside the box
- Two on-board lithium ion batteries provide up to 4 hours of battery life – power-up time is around 15 minutes
- Mass calibration is automatic and takes place at the end of the power-up cycle
- Telemetry capabilities include built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity
18:00 G510 Training and Why It’s Firefighter Friendly
- Training can be approached in a number of different ways
- On the operator side, you can be trained on this product in as little as 2 hours
- Data is maintained in case there needs to be some level of review later in a lab
- On-board training can take place on the way to a scene in case you need a refresher course on how to use a certain part of the device
- The G510 IP 65-rated because it provides good water and dust egress protection
- Vents can be sealed off, which makes decon even easier – you can also wipe or spray it
20:50 The G510 and PPE
- Product is designed to be as easy to operate as possible when you’re wearing your PPE
- On-board touchscreen has large buttons and is intended to be operated by someone wearing gloves
- Vapor inlet is also button-operated, which makes it easy to control in PPE
- Indicators on the probe itself show the operator the presence of a threat
- The G510 is designed to be carried easily when you’re wearing your Level A
24:50 What Sets the G510 Apart from Other GC/MS Units?
- Integration of an active pumping system
- Traditional units had two large pumping units that were large and power-hungry
- Other units use passive pumps that have a certain capacity and need to be regenerated periodically
- Limits the types of inlets available that allow your sample to be analyzed
- FLIR’s active pumping system has a miniature roughing pump, too – allows them to open up the types of samples that get into the system
- No more membranes to pass through – samples go directly from the GC/MS to the mass analyzer
- We can open up to less-volatile materials to see substances like heroin and fentanyl
27:10 Contacting FLIR
- Email: primed@flir.com
- Email: detection@flir.com
- Website: FLIR
- G510 webpage: FLIR G510
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