FIREFIGHTERS in Dorset are set to use body cameras during incidents.

Last week, the fire and rescue service in Hampshire was the first in the country to roll out the new kit.

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said it is something they are interested in using in their own force, although there is no indication yet as to when this could happen.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue has said the devices can enable firefighters to evaluate and reflect on their own performance to see if improvements can be made.

The cameras can also aid debriefs and record evidence for fire service and police investigations.

There would also be training applications and could give the public more insight into the role of a firefighter.

The Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “It is something that both Dorset and Wiltshire were interested in as single services and a lot of work has been going on in terms of bringing the two services together.

“It is something we are very interested in introducing but we do not have a timeframe at this stage.”

Operational technology manager for the Hampshire service, Alex Rhodes, said: “It is about seeing more and understanding more. Everyone in the service strives to be better. If a picture paints 1,000 words, a video shows 1,000 pictures.

“New body worn cameras are going to help every firefighter be the best they can be and embrace the fact we are, as all fire services are, a learning organisation.

“That is what the introduction of this new technology is all about; trying to make an already excellent service even better.”

A pilot was carried out in Hampshire with nine cameras and the digital evidence management software (DEMS) system in October last year, before the current roll-out to middle-level and senior officers.

The footage collected during that period provided video evidence of a suspected arsonist and been used in an investigation into a boat fire.

Assistant Chief Officer at Hampshire Andy Bowers added: “The introduction of helmet-mounted cameras for HFRS incident commanders is a really positive innovation for us.

“We will use them for reflective learning, training, incident analysis and fire investigation. There are many applications.

“Having these cameras will demonstrably improve the way we collate situational awareness, carry out incident assessments and make command decisions.

“They will make the public and firefighters of Hampshire safer.”