Life will be a little bit safer for both Jackson Fire Rescue personnel and for Jackson area residents.

The Fire Rescue Unit was recently able to purchase the thermal imaging camera it had been seeking to buy for some time. Wal-Mart Supercenter Manager Rick Boyd presented a check for the final $1,500 toward the $11,000 camera Monday. Department personnel indicated the camera had already been used on one flu fire.

The cameras allow personnel to see in the dark or in smoke-filled buildings. It also allows them to see "hot spots" in walls, wiring and other area. Humans and animals also show up on the heat-driven images, making the device handy for nursing home walk-aways and other missing person situations.

"This is the only camera in the area," Chief Brad Golden said. "The closest ones are in Potosi and St. Louis. It's very unique for a department in the area to have one. I'm proud Jackson could be the first one in the region to get one."

Several area organizations and individuals made contributions, including Wal-Mart employees and members of the Elks Lodge and VFW Ladies Auxiliary # 10495. We want to thank everyone who contributed," Golden said. " We really appreciate it."

Now the department hopes to get a telemetry unit -- a television screen that allow someone outside a building to see the same thing a firefighter inside sees. This will further add to the use of the camera.

A telemetry unit normally ranges in the $1,000 to $3,000 range.