a method is provided for supplying to an operator a video stream from at least one of a plurality of cameras that capture images . this includes connecting the cameras and a computer to a network and recording the images from each camera into a corresponding buffer accessible to the computer . upon detecting a triggering event associated with an event - recording camera , further operations include responding to the triggering event by depositing the images from an event - recording buffer corresponding to said event - recording camera as the video stream into a reviewable memory , and retrieving the video stream from the reviewable memory for the operator . the operator is preferably one of a commander using a command workstation , a lethal response operator using a lethal workstation , and a non - lethal response operator using a non - lethal workstation . also preferably , each workstation is assigned as one of a primary brain and failover brains . the primary brain functions to execute software and issue control signals , so that if the primary brain fails , one of the failover brains assumes the functions , that failover brain being selected in a sequential order .