How Fire FleetsUse Mobile Video to Their Advantage

Mobile video isn’t new to fire fleets, but how departments are using it is changing. 

We spoke with Austin Vaughn, Account Executive at Safety Vision who works closely with fire departments, to understand how mobile video is shaping operations in the field.

One Scene, Multiple Uses

What began as a tool for liability protection is now supporting something bigger: training, accountability, and better decisions under pressure.

“Whenever the fire department pulls up to the scene, we can put cameras angled to really have full visibility off the truck,” says Vaughn. “So whenever they're actually pulling hose and going to fight the fire, we can capture it all on recorded video.”

That footage is doing more than documenting what happened. It’s helping departments resolve complaints, dispute false claims, and reduce the time spent chasing external camera footage.

“Departments have told us that as soon as they say, ‘Let me check the video,’ people hang up. It takes the pressure off searching for street cams, because they already have [the footage] on the truck.”

In some cases, the video has cleared crews of wrongdoing in intersection incidents. In others, it has captured key moments like an arsonist fleeing a scene. But increasingly, the value lies in how departments use the footage internally: reviewing footage to build training scenarios and debriefing teams after difficult calls.

Departments are replaying actual incidents to examine decision-making under pressure. This includes assessing what worked, what could have been handled differently, and how communication and coordination might be improved. For new recruits, it offers a real-world look at fireground dynamics. For experienced crews, it supports refining techniques and building a shared understanding of best practices.

Live Look-In and On-the-Ground Visibility

One of the fastest-growing uses of video in fire fleets is real-time access. Vaughn explains how departments are using geo-fencing and mobile streaming tools to monitor activity as it happens.

“We can geo-fence the station. At any time a truck leaves or comes back, the battalion chief can get an automatic alert. And with the live look-in, they can stream video from their iPads, using the iOS or Android app.”

Not One Fleet Is the Same

Fire fleets are unique. No two trucks are built the same, and that makes video system customization a priority.

Fire departments commonly install side, rear, and forward-facing cameras, but many are now also requesting monitors at the turntable, pump panel, or integrated into command zones. These systems provide exterior visibility when attention needs to stay forward. 

With so much variation between vehicles and departments, success often comes down to working with the right partner; one who understands your needs and can tailor a system that fits your fleet.

Navigating Policy and Implementation

Many initial concerns come down to policy. Legal, union, or city restrictions often shape what can or cannot be recorded, especially regarding interior views or audio.

“Probably the largest barrier is ironing out what the city will allow, from a union or legal standpoint,” Vaughn says. “If they can record audio, if they can’t. What camera views can they record. But once they figure that out, it’s a system that fits their needs.”

Departments rarely get a one-size-fits-all setup.

“If the municipality doesn’t want an interior camera, we don’t use one,” he explains. “We just do forward-facing, disable the audio. There are workarounds. It's just a matter of learning what barriers are in place and customizing it from there.”

Conclusion

Fire departments are no longer using video just to react. They’re using it to prepare, document, and improve. From eliminating false claims to supporting training, video is becoming a part of everyday operations.

“It’s not one-size-fits-all,” Vaughn says. “But once it’s in place, it becomes a tool they rely on.”

Whether it’s visibility on scene or clarity after the fact, mobile video is helping departments respond with greater confidence and control, supporting the people behind the mission when it matters most.