How Fairfield County EMS Put Crew Protection First with HALOS

Overview

Fairfield County EMS was one of the first agencies in the country to adopt body-worn cameras, implementing them over a decade ago after a paramedic was attacked and falsely accused during a call. The cameras quickly became a valuable tool for reducing complaints, resolving disputes, and protecting the integrity of the team. But over time, the technology fell behind. The equipment was unreliable, the footage was difficult to access, and the manual processes slowed everything down. 

When Tim Martin, a 30-year EMS veteran, stepped into the role of Chief, he brought a clear focus on supporting his team. He saw body cameras not just as a way to document calls but as a tool to help his team feel protected, supported, and confident in the field. He knew it was time for a modern solution that could deliver on that promise.  

Challenge

Fairfield County EMS faced growing operational challenges with their legacy body camera system.  Despite being early adopters, the agency struggled with outdated hardware, limited access to footage, and inconsistent reliability. Storage capacity was limited to local hard drives, requiring manual uploads and physical access to a single workstation to review. Storing footage on internal servers took up valuable space, creating maintenance concerns.  

The previous devices also suffered frequent technical failures, creating a sense of vulnerability for crews in the field. Providers felt exposed during tense encounters and lacked the confidence to respond assertively without video evidence to support them. Tim needed a solution he could rely on to empower his team, protect their interactions, and ensure their safety in challenging environments. 

“We all have those times when a patient pushes your buttons, and you have to respond accordingly. When the crew has the camera on, they feel more confident responding in those more aggressive situations.”

Solution

Fairfield County found the modern, scalable solution they needed in HALOS Body Cameras. Unlike their previous system, HALOS offered cloud-based uploads with unlimited storage, streamlined access to footage, and improved reliability giving the agency both operational efficiency and peace of mind.  

Crews praised the video and audio quality, calling it a "night and day" difference compared to their old equipment. Footage uploads now happen automatically to the HALOS Vault, eliminating the need for manual downloads or centralized viewing stations. Leadership can securely view incidents from any device, including mobile, allowing them to quickly support staff and investigate concerns.  

HALOS' RFID-based reassignment system made it easy for crew members to check out a camera by simply scanning their ID, so the system always knows who's using which device and when. With no more broken or missing devices, teams feel equipped and protected every time they respond to a call.  

What stood out just as much as the technology was the HALOS support team. Tim described the experience as personal, responsive, and tailored to his team's needs. Despite being a smaller agency, he felt just as important as any larger customer and knew he could get help quickly. The lifetime warranty and subscription model gave him the confidence that the system would grow with the team and never become outdated.     

Results

Since switching to HALOS, Fairfield County EMS has experienced:

• Increased Crew Confidence and Safety: Knowing they're protected by footage from a reliable device, staff feel more comfortable in difficult encounters.  
• Higher Operational Efficiency: The time saved on uploading, accessing, and reviewing footage has made life easier for supervisors and streamlined daily operations.  
• Long-Term Value and Scalability: HALOS' lifetime warranty and subscription model provide a future-proof solution, eliminating concerns about outdated equipment.
• Stronger Incident Resolution: Quick access to high-quality footage helps resolve complaints faster and reinforces accountability.