CFD brings safety into focus with 360-degree camera pilot program

The Calgary Fire Department is launching a pilot program aimed at enhancing the safety of our fire crews and the motorists we share the road with.

Beginning this week, Engine 12 will be outfitted with traffic safety cameras mounted on the exterior of the engine, providing a comprehensive 360-degree view around the apparatus and audio recordings. Engine 12 was selected for a variety of reasons, including the high number of incidents it responds to, with crews attending many of those calls on high-speed roadways.

This pilot is the first step in potentially outfitting up to eight fire engines with similar technology.

The purpose of these cameras is to capture footage in the event the engine is involved in an incident while driving, or if motorists are driving unsafely around the engine, putting CFD crews and bystanders at risk.

This will not only protect CFD crews but also safeguard motorists by providing clear evidence of the circumstances surrounding incidents. The footage, which will be recorded on all four sides of the engine, will also assist the driver with enhanced spatial awareness around the vehicle to further increase safety.

The cost of outfitting each vehicle with the cameras is approximately $10,000.

Deputy Fire Chief Pete Steenaerts commented on the launch: "This pilot program is an example of our ongoing commitment to the safety of our firefighters and the public. By installing traffic safety cameras, we can provide clear evidence in the event a crew is involved in an incident while driving and promote transparency for the CFD. Similar systems have already proven effective with the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Transit, and we are optimistic we will see similar benefits."

The footage collected will be securely encrypted and accessed only in the event of an incident, ensuring the privacy and integrity of the data. Throughout the pilot program, the CFD will monitor the usefulness of the traffic safety cameras, assessing their impact on safety and accountability within the department.

Any personal information collected by the cameras is collected pursuant to Section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and questions about the collection can be directed to the Calgary Fire Department. More information about the pilot program is available at calgary.ca/cfd-camera.