December 15, 2025

Birmingham Fire Department Adding Body Cameras

By: Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

December 15, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. The Birmingham Fire Department is joining numerous other nationwide agencies that have added body cameras to their uniforms.

In recent years attacks on EMS and firefighters have risen and body cameras are also excellent tools for after action review and training.

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a $173,000 contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. for a body camera starter bundle with hardware, software and services from Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2028.

“These body cameras will be used primarily by fire inspectors and paramedics,” said Council President Wardine Alexander.

It can help replace written reports on incidents and fire damage, she said.

“This is an enhancement of an investigative process,” Alexander said.

It could be used in the investigation of large events such as the fire that swept through a business complex along Cobb Lane in Five Points South, she said. The Oct. 31 fire displaced 19 residents and destroyed most of the Cobb Lane historic buildings, including some vacant former businesses that were once among the city’s most popular.

Some fire departments who have deployed body cameras over the years have issued them to most active personnel.

“You think about the recent fire and arson we had on the Southside,” Alexander said. “We had our staff go in to inspect. Now you would have a better visual. It gives insurance companies and fire inspectors better ways to investigate, to see how this started, what was the source.”