Quick Summary

For fire departments evaluating emergency response software, our research-based comparison reveals key differences: 

• StreetWise CADlink excels in seamless integration with existing systems, offering transparent per-apparatus pricing ($180-210 annually) and cross-platform compatibility. 
• First Due takes an all-in-one approach to replace multiple systems but with potential higher costs and steeper learning curves. 
• Tablet Command provides strong incident management features with a primary focus on iOS devices. StreetWise's bi-directional CAD integration, NERIS-compatible RMS exports, and offline capabilities make it particularly valuable for departments seeking to enhance rather than replace their current technology ecosystem.

Read on for a more thorough breakdown.

1. The Foundation: Core Functionality Comparison

Before diving into integration specifics, let's establish a baseline understanding of what each platform offers.

1.1 Mobile Response Capabilities

All three platforms provide mobile response solutions designed for apparatus-mounted tablets or personal devices, but with different approaches and strengths:

StreetWise CADlink offers a comprehensive mobile data terminal (MDT) solution specifically designed for fire and EMS apparatus. The platform provides instant call alerting, customizable Google-based maps, and live traffic conditions. A standout feature is its ability to function in offline mode for areas with poor cellular coverage, ensuring continuous access to critical data even when connectivity is limited. (StreetWise: Tablet MDT)

First Due positions itself as an all-in-one platform with mobile response capabilities focused on visualization and coordination. According to their website, First Due is "born in the cloud and built to run your entire operation in one place," with a mobile app that brings critical information to the forefront when responders are in the field (First Due).

Tablet Command began as a mobile incident command solution and has expanded to offer complete MDT replacement capabilities. As their website states, they provide "a mobile incident command and response solution that increases situational awareness, speeds incident response, streamlines incident management and improves firefighter accountability." (Tablet Command)

1.2 Pre-Incident Planning

Pre-incident planning capabilities represent a significant differentiator among these platforms:

StreetWise CADlink includes a full-featured preplan management system modeled after the NFPA 1620 standard. Their exclusive "Preplan Wizard" field surveys provide a step-by-step process for personnel to build pre-incident plans with the same tablet used during responses. New preplans are immediately synced to all agency devices, including StreetWise-equipped mutual aid partners. (StreetWise: Tablet System)

First Due has built much of its platform around pre-incident planning and community risk reduction. Their pre-planning solution is robust and includes partnership with Esri for ArcGIS layer integration, allowing users to incorporate water systems, flood plains, and wildland fires into their maps. First Due's pre-plan organizer helps assign pre-plans to personnel, manage due dates, and change pre-plan cycles to fit work schedules. (First Due: Preincident Preplanning)

Tablet Command offers mapping-based pre-incident planning that can be managed directly on a map view. The platform allows users to incorporate satellite imagery that can be particularly useful for wildland incidents, providing daytime views of surrounding homes and vegetation even during nighttime responses. (Tablet Command)

1.3 Command and Control Features

Incident management capabilities vary considerably across platforms:

StreetWise CADlink provides advanced mapping functions, premise alerts, hazard waypoints, hydrant information, and instant "drop and sync" tactical NIMS waypoints. The platform emphasizes situational awareness with features including multi-point distance and radius measuring tools, device-to-device messaging, instant geo-referenced photo sharing, and incident benchmark status recording for accreditation analytics. (StreetWise Tablet System)

First Due offers incident management capabilities with a digital command board that enables "Incident Commanders to swiftly allocate and track resources," according to their website. Their command functions integrate with the rest of their platform, allowing for seamless transitions from pre-planning to incident management. (First Due Reporting)

Tablet Command was originally designed specifically for incident command, with strong accountability features. As they describe it, "an incident commander can tap and drag responding apparatus onto an emergency scene, track progress against critical checklists, and time-stamp every maneuver and benchmark throughout an incident." Their interface includes a master incident clock visible on every screen, colored work time lights for unit status at a glance, and customizable checklists with time-stamped actions. (Tablet Command)

2. The Critical Difference: Integration Capabilities

Integration capabilities ultimately determine how well any software solution fits into your existing technology ecosystem. This is where important differences between these platforms emerge.

2.1 CAD System Integration

StreetWise CADlink offers bi-directional server-to-server CAD interfaces for exchanging live vehicle locations (AVL) and status button changes with multiple CAD systems. Our standard Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) work with a growing list of CAD systems. For departments with legacy CAD systems that lack automated export capabilities, StreetWise can develop custom database polling services to ensure compatibility. (StreetWise)

First Due describes itself as "CAD agnostic," with the ability to integrate with all major CAD vendors. Their integration allows for populating live incident data from dispatch into their platform, though the depth of bi-directional capabilities is not extensively detailed on their website. (First Due Fire)

Tablet Command can integrate with "ANY Computer Aided Dispatch system using a multitude of strategies from capturing file exports, database queries, or for the most robust and real-time solution, against a CAD vendor's API," according to their CAD integration page. They offer different enterprise service tiers with varying levels of CAD integration, with their top two tiers ("TC Pro" and "TC Pro Lite") including CAD integration, while their entry-level "TC Basic" tier does not. (Tablet Command CAD Integration, Tablet Command FAQ)

2.2 Records Management System (RMS) Integration

With the upcoming transition from NFIRS to NERIS, RMS integration capabilities are increasingly important:

StreetWise CADlink integrates with any records management software via outbound exports, automatically creating new incident reports before crews return to the station. The system transfers precise timestamps for unit status changes directly into the appropriate fields in the RMS incident report. Additionally, StreetWise has a standard RMS export that can send incident data to any records management system in XML or JSON format, making it highly compatible with various systems, soon to include the new “free-tier” NERIS platform. (NFIRS to NERIS Transition: What Fire Chiefs Need to Know for 2025)

First Due takes a different approach by including its own comprehensive RMS capabilities within its platform. As they describe it, First Due aims to "consolidate NFIRS, ePCR, fire prevention, pre-incident planning, scheduling & personnel management, asset & inventory, hydrants, training, community engagement, mobile response, and more into a single application." This can be advantageous for departments seeking an all-in-one solution but potentially limiting for those with existing RMS investments they wish to maintain. (First Due)

Tablet Command offers incident reporting capabilities that can integrate with existing RMS systems, though the depth of this integration appears less extensive than the comprehensive RMS features of First Due or the specific RMS export capabilities of StreetWise.

2.3 Third-Party Data Connections

Beyond core system integration, connectivity with other data sources enhances functionality:

StreetWise CADlink can be configured to display up to three layers of locally-produced GIS data as overlays to our Google base maps. Examples include station response zones, building footprints, custom addressing labels, water mains, and locally-produced street centerlines. 

First Due has a partnership with Esri for GIS integration, allowing users to leverage ArcGIS layers with pre-plans. They also integrate with Google's Streetview and up-to-date pictometry for 360-degree size-up capabilities. According to Capterra, First Due also integrates with Genasys, a platform that provides "mission-critical information & notifications for public safety." (First Due Preincident Planning, Capterra)

Tablet Command has expanded its integration capabilities to include partnerships with platforms like Genasys Protect EVAC, which provides real-time evacuation zone data. This integration helps "fire rescue teams gain an accurate, complete picture of fire incidents as they unfold and respond effectively," according to the Genasys website. (Genasys: Tablet Command)

3. User Experience & Implementation

The best technology is worthless if it's too difficult to implement or use effectively.

3.1 Device Compatibility

StreetWise CADlink offers broad compatibility across platforms, supporting Windows®, Android, and iOS devices with native applications for each. This flexibility allows departments to use existing hardware or select the devices that best fit their operational needs and budget constraints. (StreetWise Tablet MDT)

First Due provides accessibility "on any device," with specific support mentioned for iOS and Android through their mobile app. This cross-platform approach allows for flexibility in hardware selection. (First Due)

Tablet Command was originally built on the iPad platform, with their primary application designed for iOS. They have expanded to offer "TC Mobile" for iPhone, which requires a TC Pro credential to function. Their focus on Apple devices may limit hardware options, particularly “ruggedized” equipment, for some departments. (Tablet Command FAQ)

3.2 Learning Curve & Training Resources

StreetWise CADlink provides a complete set of video tutorials organized by topic for individual or group training, complemented by web support portal and automated ticketing for email support. This comprehensive approach to training helps reduce the learning curve and minimize implementation challenges. 

First Due offers a knowledge base and help center accessible from within their interface, along with customer support. User reviews on software review sites mention a "steep learning curve to the process" but note that the platform becomes easier to use after the initial learning period. (SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due)

Tablet Command is designed to be intuitive, with users noting that it "requires minimal training." Their approach is not to change how departments manage incidents but to adapt to existing procedures, as they state: "Tablet Command does not try to change the way you manage an incident. It is fully configurable by the user." (First Due on Apple Apps)

4. Pricing Structure & Value

Cost considerations are inevitably a major factor in software selection.

StreetWise CADlink offers transparent, predictable pricing with annual software solutions typically ranging from $180 to $210 annually per apparatus. For smaller agencies that need a more cost-effective solution, StreetWise offers standalone Responder pricing starting at $24 per device annually (for 1-50 devices), with volume discounts available for larger deployments. 

First Due uses a subscription-based pricing model that varies based on the modules and features selected. While specific pricing is not publicly available on their website, user reviews on software review sites mention that "the price is also getting a little high" and that "it seems like, at times, they release a new module just to get more money from you." One reviewer specifically noted: "What you would think should come in the base modules, is an extra add on." (SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due) 

Tablet Command also employs a tiered subscription model with three enterprise service levels: TC Basic (without CAD integration), TC Pro Lite, and TC Pro (both including CAD integration). While specific pricing is not publicly listed on their website, the tiered approach allows departments to select the service level that matches their needs and budget. (Tablet Command FAQ)

5. Regional Data Sharing Capabilities

Modern emergency response increasingly requires collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries.

StreetWise CADlink excels in this area with regional options that allow seamless sharing of AVL data, hydrant locations, preplans, and more with mutual and auto-aid partners. This approach ensures all responding units are truly part of the same team, regardless of their agency affiliation. StreetWise's unique approach to regional sharing allows multiple departments to share map data and unit locations while retaining complete control over their own data. 

First Due includes data sharing capabilities, with user reviews noting that it gives departments "the ability to share information with our personnel and surrounding mutual aid partners with ease." Their cloud-based platform is designed to facilitate information exchange across agencies. (SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due)

Tablet Command offers a "Real Time Sync" feature that allows any member of a department to see in real time what the incident commander is doing on an incident. According to their FAQ, "Every assignment or checklist item, every note or map annotation will be visible from all the other iPads in the department in real time." Additionally, they have recently added features that allow "agencies to share real-time incident updates," enhancing cross-jurisdictional coordination. (Tablet Command FAQ, FireHouse.com: Tablet Command)

6. Real-World Application: Department Size Considerations

Different solutions may be better suited to specific department types and sizes:

StreetWise CADlink has proven successful across a wide range of department sizes, from large metropolitan departments to county-wide systems:

• Little Rock (21 stations, 600 personnel, 60 MDTs)
• Wheeling, WV (14 stations, 250 personnel, 34 MDTs)
• Broken Arrow, OK (8 stations, 300 personnel, 25 MDTs)
• Cali, Columbia (11 stations, 800 personnel, 58 MDTs)
• Ohio-Brooke Counties, WV (22 stations, 400 personnel, 75 MDTs)
• Mobile County, AL (21 stations, 550 personnel, 156 MDTs)
• Spokane County, WA (26 stations, 600 personnel, 130 MDTs) 

Read StreetWise case studies here.

First Due describes itself as "the fastest-growing end-to-end software solution for Fire & EMS," serving departments of various sizes. User reviews indicate it works well for both volunteer and career departments, with one reviewer stating: "Whether you are a volunteer department or career, this software is for you!" (First Due, SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due)

Tablet Command serves "over 200 fire departments across North America" according to a 2020 article, with more recent information suggesting they provide solutions to "nearly 30,000 users and 700 public safety agencies across the United States and Canada." Their scalable platform can work for departments of different sizes, from smaller volunteer organizations to large metropolitan systems. (CDNFirefighter.com: Tablet Command Now Providing Incident Management Software for Fire Departments, Genasys.com Partner: Tablet Command)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do these platforms handle connectivity issues in areas with poor cellular coverage?

StreetWise CADlink offers an offline mode that allows access to preplanning data even in areas with poor cell coverage. Data can be cached to the tablet with the touch of a button, ensuring functionality continues when network access is unavailable. (StreetWise Tablet MDT)

First Due is cloud-based but allows for some data caching. They mention that pre-plans can be cached to the tablet for offline access if network access will be unavailable. (First Due Preincident Planning)

Tablet Command is designed as "a native app designed to run entirely independent of internet connectivity." As they describe it: "Of course having a connection supports the use of map updates and other useful features, but the core app runs flawlessly 100' deep in a cave." (Tablet Command)

How do these platforms support accreditation efforts?

StreetWise CADlink improves timestamp accuracy for better analysis of Standard of Cover and accreditation compliance. The platform records incident benchmark status specifically for accreditation analytics, helping departments maintain and improve their ISO ratings and meet other accreditation standards. (StreetWise Fire Incident Command Tablet System)

First Due offers reporting features that can support accreditation, with their analytics tools designed to "empower leadership to evaluate performance, ensure compliance, and drive better outcomes across fire and EMS operations." (First Due Reporting)

Tablet Command provides detailed time-stamped activity records that can serve as documentation for accreditation purposes. Their reports include "every action made during the incident in a time stamped list, a .CSV file and a screenshot of the incident map." (Tablet Command)

How much customization do these platforms allow?

StreetWise CADlink offers extensive customization options, from custom map layers displaying locally-produced GIS data to selectable apparatus icons and colors. Departments can configure the system to match their specific operational needs and visual preferences.

First Due allows for customization within its modules, with user reviews noting "the ability to adjust to your department" as a positive feature. Their platform includes customizable checklists and report templates. (SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due)

Tablet Command emphasizes customization, stating: "Configure resources, templates, checklists, assignments, and PAR timer and unit work timer durations to match your department's SOPs. Tablet Command does not try to change the way you manage an incident. It is fully configurable by the user." (Tablet Command)

What kind of support is available after implementation?

StreetWise CADlink provides 24-hour support via their technical support line (800-718-8027), alongside their web support portal and automated ticketing system for email support. Their comprehensive training video library allows users to troubleshoot many issues independently. (StreetWise Contact)

First Due offers customer support, with user reviews noting mixed experiences. Some praise their responsiveness ("The staff is responsive, helpful, and friendly"), while others mention challenges ("We have had some tickets outstanding for a while that we have not gotten updates on"). (SoftwareAdvice.com: First Due)

Tablet Command provides customer support that receives positive mentions in user testimonials. As one user stated: "In our dealings with Tablet Command, they have always been very responsive to any type of request or question we've had. That's big for us in the fire service, as we need those timely responses to do our job effectively." (Tablet Command)

Conclusion: Integration as the Key Differentiator

While all three platforms offer valuable capabilities for fire and EMS departments, they each take different approaches to addressing the needs of modern emergency services.

StreetWise CADlink stands out for its comprehensive integration capabilities with existing CAD and RMS systems, making it particularly well-suited for departments seeking to enhance their current technology ecosystem without replacing it entirely. Its transparent and accessible pricing, broad device compatibility, and robust regional data sharing features make it a strong contender for departments of all sizes, particularly those with mixed career and volunteer staffing. 

First Due takes an all-in-one approach, aiming to replace multiple systems with a single platform that handles everything from pre-incident planning to RMS functions. This comprehensive approach can be advantageous for departments looking to consolidate their technology stack, though it may come with higher costs and a steeper learning curve.

Tablet Command began as a specialized incident command tool and has expanded to offer broader MDT replacement capabilities. Its strength remains in tactical incident management, with intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and strong accountability features. Its focus on iOS devices may limit hardware options, but its offline capabilities ensure reliability in challenging environments.

The right choice ultimately depends on your department's specific needs, existing technology ecosystem, and long-term strategic goals. We recommend requesting demonstrations from each vendor and carefully evaluating how their solutions would integrate with your current systems before making a final decision.

Ready to see how StreetWise can transform your department's response capabilities? Contact our team today to schedule a free demonstration and discover the integration advantage firsthand.