Lorne NSW Fire Station, with around 15 active members, was approved for the grant in its first year of applying for funding in March this year.

The Kendall Community Op Shop provided the grant as part of more than $234,090 in funding awarded to sporting and activity clubs, groups and charity causes.

Brigade treasurer Ray Scott said the brigade funds non-essential equipment through community donations and grants.

"We have been to a few fires over the years without these cameras. We have put the fire out and gone to leave but we've been called back because unseen hot spots have flared back up again," Mr Scott said.

"Even with car fires where you think it's extinguished there can be something quite warm underneath or in the back part of the car. Using these cameras we can assess whether the fire is out completely."

Mr Scott said firefighters across NSW and in particular in the Hastings have seen the importance of detection equipment during recent bushfires.

"We've seen how important this equipment is in the Lindfield Park Road fire where it burnt underground in the peat. That has happened at Crestwood and Crowdy Head," he said.

"We can find fire in pipelines, log piles and enclosed areas with this equipment. You can identify where these areas are to focus on them or steer people away from them.

"It can even identify waterpipes underground potentially by temperature and some identify thermal activity in waters, such as a body in murky water. Hopefully we don't have to use it for that.

"I don't believe many brigades have these. It's an added item that can help us in fire control to give a better result."

Mr Scott said the cameras have been ordered but are suffering a delay in delivery due to the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE: Rylan Cole from Kendall hosted cupcake stall to raise money for Lorne Rural Fire Station

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