A portable signaling device for use in a reduced visibility environment. The signaling device includes a housing for carrying the signaling device into the reduced visibility environment, the housing having a signaling side and an attachment side, the signaling side configured to transmit an infrared signal and the attachment side configured to be secured to a structure within the environment, and an infrared energy source located within the housing, the infrared energy source including a power source, an emitter connected to the power source, and a switching mechanism connected to the power source and the emitter. The signaling device also includes a control circuit coupled to the infrared energy source, the control circuit configured to receive an input representing a message to be transmitted to a thermal imaging camera being carried by a first responder, the message providing a visual indication of a firefighting operation, and operate the infrared energy source to transmit the infrared signal representing the message to the thermal imaging camera.