Greater Manchester Fire Service to roll out body cameras

A total of 233 cameras capable of recording high-quality video and audio will be distributed.

This comes after the Manchester Arena Inquiry into the attack at an Ariana Grande concert, in which 22 people, including children, were killed.

Part of the inquiry examined the emergency response to the attack, including the fire service, the North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police.

The report highlighted the importance of capturing clear information and recording decision-making during major incidents, particularly when multiple emergency services are responding to complex and fast-moving situations.

These new cameras will help the fire service by providing a real-time view of what crews see, hear and communicate while attending incidents, as well as improving transparency and decision-making during major incidents.

They are also able to livestream, which means senior officers will be able watch incidents as they happen to provide additional support and oversight.

Frontline officers will be the first to receive the cameras, as well as the 52 fire appliances across 41 Greater Manchester stations, followed by prevention and protection teams and the incident command academy.

GMFRS has said that they will be used during a variety of incidents, from house fires and road traffic collisions to larger, more complex emergencies.

The roll-out comes after a successful trial of the cameras back in May 2025.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin described the introduction of these cameras as a “significant step forward for our service”.

He said: “It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.

“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.

“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”

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The Fire Brigades Union has also welcomed the move. Representative Dave Pike said: “The Fire Brigades Union played an active part in supporting its members throughout the Manchester Arena Inquiry and supports the outcomes that were reached.

“The FBU position nationally on body-worn cameras changed significantly after the Inquiry and was shaped in part with feedback from Greater Manchester officials.

“It’s important that new technology supports our members in doing their jobs safely and provides a clear and accurate record of incidents. These cameras will help protect our members, support learning and ensure there is transparency about what happens at incidents.”