NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Technology that can ultimately save the life of a child or an animal left in a hot car is now in the hands of every Roswell police officer, thanks to a donation from a local business.
The Atlanta Home Theater team donated infrared thermometers to each day-shift police officer, who will now be able to measure a car's interior temperature before breaking a window to perform a rescue.
The Roswell-based business also bought coolers and cooling vests for each of the Roswell Police Department's four K9 units.
Officer J. Fortunato, who has been with the Roswell Police Department for six years and a K9 officer for 1½ years, said the cooling vests are a great benefit and allow his dog, Liva, to track longer before taking a break.
"I work during the daytime, and even at nighttime, as everybody in Georgia knows how hot it gets," Fortunato said. "When we're out tracking people or missing children, missing elderly people, dogs can get worn out. This gives us the opportunity to keep them cool."
The vest is placed around the dog's midsection to cool down its vital organs. The vest stays close to 57 degrees for up to two hours, and can cool down an overheated animal or a child rescued from a hot car.
The Atlanta Home Theater team wanted to make the donation after one of its employees discovered two dogs trapped in hot cars and called police. The responding police officer purchased an infrared thermometer with his own money.
"We love Roswell. We've been here for nearly 20 years, and we're right there in the heart of Roswell, right in the dead center. And we watch these officers work and take care of this city every day," Atlanta Home Theater owner Jennifer Ross said.
WSBTV
