An inside look at the New Orleans EMS body-worn camera program

Chris Keller on how BWCs enhance patient care documentation, bolster staff safety and provide an unbiased account of events

November 21, 2024 12:53 PM •

In this insightful episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence revisits New Orleans EMS to explore their pioneering use of body-worn cameras, joined by Chris Keller, chief of operations at New Orleans EMS.

The discussion dives into the motivations, challenges and successes of implementing this technology. From its initial deployment on tactical medic teams in 2018, to its current broader rollout, Chris shares the journey of navigating legal frameworks, staff buy-in and operational logistics. The conversation also highlights how body-worn cameras enhance patient care documentation, bolster staff safety and provide an unbiased account of events, positioning them as an emerging industry standard.

This episode offers practical advice on policy development, procurement processes and operational use cases, including their application during Mardi Gras and high-acuity events. With the aim to demystify the implementation process, Chris emphasizes the importance of collaboration, adaptability and using technology to improve EMS practices. Rob and Chris also discuss future goals for the program, funding challenges, and the potential for body-worn cameras to become a cornerstone of EMS operations nationwide.

Key takeaways

Following are key takeaways about New Orleans EMS body-worn cameras implementation.

Program origins and evolution. Started with tactical medic teams in 2018, evolving to field medics with Axon body cameras. Cameras are used for QA/QI, patient care documentation and addressing legal challenges.
Building staff buy-in. Transparent communication and gradual rollout helped overcome resistance. Cameras are viewed as tools for safety and support, not punitive oversight.
Policy and compliance. Policies were adapted from Cypress Creek EMS and NOPD, emphasizing HIPAA compliance and discretion for sensitive situations. Data retention set at 425 days to balance legal requirements and storage costs.
Operational benefits. Real-time streaming is used for resource allocation during critical incidents, as well as improved training and incident review capabilities.
Future goals. Expand to 1:1 camera-to-employee ratio and further integrate body-worn cameras into EMS culture.

For more resources, including guidance documents, grant information, and purchasing tips, check the show notes. Make sure to like, subscribe and share this episode to stay informed about advancements in EMS practices.

Key quotes

“Everyone’s filming us, so why aren’t we filming us?” — Rob Lawrence
“We thought it was very important to be able to tell our entire story in full context, instead of having snippets taken out of context and sensationalized.” — Chris Keller
“Whether you’ve got body-worn cameras or not, you’re being recorded. We’re delivering performative operations under public scrutiny.” — Rob Lawrence
“By having this technology, we’re not just documenting care, but we’re also supporting our medics and improving training and outcomes.” — Chris Keller
“Trailblazers like New Orleans EMS are shaping the future of the industry, demonstrating how body-worn cameras can enhance both safety and accountability.” — Rob Lawrence
“The slow rollout and maintaining staff buy-in were crucial to the success of our program.” — Chris Keller

Timeline

00:16 – Introduction by Rob Lawrence, setting the stage for a discussion on New Orleans EMS’s innovative use of body-worn cameras

00:32 – Overview of New Orleans EMS’s progressive initiatives, including their blood program, and the focus on body-worn cameras as the episode’s main topic

01:22 – Chris Keller shares his EMS journey, starting in 1993, and his career progression within New Orleans EMS since 2002

02:03 – Rob discusses the growing prevalence of body-worn cameras and their importance in documenting EMS operations, including references to public scrutiny and legal cases like Elijah McClain

03:10 – Chris explains the initial trials of body-worn cameras with tactical medics in 2018 and their eventual transition to field medics

05:33 – Addressing staff concerns, including the perception of “big brother,” and building trust through a slow rollout and open communication

07:08 – Discussion on camera procurement, field trials and the selection of Axon body-worn cameras due to compatibility with existing city contracts and ease of use.

08:59 – Development of policies adapted from other agencies and the importance of keeping policies flexible and iterative

13:01 – Challenges of public filming and the importance of having EMS-controlled footage to counter misinformation or misrepresentation

16:16 – Anatomy of a call: Activation, filming protocols, patient consent and discretion in sensitive situations

19:17 – Post-call operations: Uploading footage, compliance with HIPAA, and use of footage for training and quality improvement

23:09 – Criteria for footage review: High-acuity events, QA/QI, use of force and assaults on EMS personnel

25:19 – Use of real-time video streaming during critical incidents, such as Mardi Gras shootings, to improve resource allocation and situational awareness

28:33 – Future goals for New Orleans EMS: Expanding to a 1:1 camera-to-employee ratio and the belief that body-worn cameras will become an EMS industry standard

30:29 – Funding challenges: The importance of planning, grants and understanding the full scope of procurement and compliance

33:40 – Legal considerations and classifying body-worn camera footage as non-medical records to control data retention and storage costs

35:56 – Chris’s final thoughts: Encouraging collaboration and offering New Orleans EMS as a resource for other agencies exploring body-worn cameras

36:21 – Rob’s closing remarks: Summarizing the discussion, sharing resources in the show notes, and thanking Chris Keller and the New Orleans EMS team for their leadership and innovation

RESOURCES

RATE & REVIEW
Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the EMS One-Stop team at editor@EMS1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and RSS feed.

Rob Lawrence

Rob Lawrence has been a leader in civilian and military EMS for over a quarter of a century. He is currently the director of strategic implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and part-time executive director of the California Ambulance Association.

He previously served as the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), which won both state and national EMS Agency of the Year awards during his 10-year tenure. Additionally, he served as COO for Paramedics Plus in Alameda County, California.

Prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 2008, Rob served as the COO for the East of England Ambulance Service in Suffolk County, England, and as the executive director of operations and service development for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust. Rob is a former Army officer and graduate of the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served worldwide in a 20-year military career encompassing many prehospital and evacuation leadership roles.

Rob is a board member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) as well as chair of the American Ambulance Association’s State Association Forum. He writes and podcasts for EMS1 and is a member of the EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with him on Twitter.