So the Houston Fire Department seems to be generating a lot of huge, attention getting videos lately with their helmet mounted cameras.  We’ve talked about similar models recently, and the Houston Fire Department seems to have been using them to great effect.

Well, word came down recently from the department brass that no more helmet camera videos would be allowed, and the cameras themselves would be banned from department work on penalty of suspension or even firing outright.

They’ve even got a pretty good, if weaselly, reason for doing so.  Sure, the videos you see of heroics and danger are compelling, interesting, and guaranteed to draw traffic, but what if the tiny camcorders catch a botched operation?  Someone getting knocked in the head during a rescue?  Massive liability problems, that’s what!  The department getting sued left, right and center for trying to do its job!

…criminal charges, maybe….

So helmet cameras are now verboten at the Houston Fire Department, and this is, probably, all for the best.