Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will begin trialling new body-worn video cameras as part of an initiative to improve the safety of both its staff and the communities they serve.
The decision to introduce this technology comes in response to a rise in attacks on emergency service workers across the country, as well as lessons learned from significant incidents that crews have attended over the past few years.
Firefighters from Stapleford, London Road, and Stockhill Fire Stations, as well as senior officers, will be taking part in the five-week trial before, hopefully, implementing the cameras across the whole Service in Spring 2025.
The body-worn cameras will serve multiple purposes – they will act as a deterrent to individuals who may be inclined to act aggressively towards fire and rescue staff, serve as an invaluable tool for collecting evidence during all types of incidents, and allow the Service to be more transparent. The cameras will also be used to collate information and feedback to include in incident debriefs and to promote good practice across the organisation.
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Group Manager Chris Emmott said: “Our staff are dedicated to keeping our communities of Nottinghamshire safe, and we want to ensure that our frontline staff can do that confidently, without the fear of violence or intimidation.
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“Sadly, we have seen attacks on our operational members of staff and our vehicles over the years, especially during the busier periods, so we are hopeful that having these cameras will help reduce them across the county.
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“Ensuring our teams have the tools and support they need to carry out their duties effectively is vital, and implementing these cameras is just one step towards becoming an outstanding fire and rescue service by 2032.
“If you do see a firefighter wearing a body-worn camera over the next few weeks, please don’t be alarmed – they are also in place to protect the public, as well as our staff.”
