Tablet Command supports crews and command staff throughout every stage of a response- from the moment a call is dispatched to the final documentation of an incident. Here are ten operational advantages that show how.
- Early Notification
Crews receive notifications for structure fires and cardiac arrests 30 to 60 seconds before traditional station alerting. Notifications are sent as soon as the call type and address are confirmed. This gives crews time to get moving and prepare before tones even drop. - Everyone Has Access
Call details are no longer limited to the MDT. With TC Mobile, all personnel- including those in the back- can view updates, assignments, and comments. This shared view increases awareness across the crew. - Navigation Options
Turn-by-turn directions are available using Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Aviation teams can use ForeFlight Mobile. Drivers can focus on response without needing to manually find routes or switch between tools. Navigation stays within the app, so there’s no jumping between systems or distractions from switching screens. - Custom Agency Maps
Hydrants, preplans, apartment maps, evacuation zones, and jurisdiction boundaries are displayed using Esri ArcGIS Online. Updates made by GIS staff appear instantly in Tablet Command. Departments can also include fire trails, traffic cameras, and other custom layers to support response planning. - Shared AVL
View the real-time locations of units from other communication centers during mutual or automatic aid. This has been a game changer for coordination between agencies using Tablet Command. - Staffing Visibility
Tablet Command integrates with staffing platforms so responders and commanders can see who is assigned to each unit. When multiple departments operate under a shared communications center, this becomes essential for understanding capability and readiness. - Incident Command Tools
Battalion chiefs and Incident Commanders manage assignments using a digital board. Templates and checklists provide structure. Units can be dragged into positions on-screen, and resources assigned on second alarms appear automatically. The command board also supports custom high-rise layouts and group/division organization in real time. - Reduced Radio Traffic
Dispatchers can flag safety updates (like Power Lines Down) in comments. Tablet Command prompts acknowledgment from units, reducing the need for roll call over the radio. Multiple alerts can be acknowledged individually and time-stamped, providing written records. - Integrated Audio and More Button
In-app audio allows users to stream tactical or dispatch radio channels. The "More" button provides links to drone feeds, web tools, or camera systems- making key resources easy to access. For example, a drone team can stream footage live into Tablet Command, giving command staff visual context without standing around a shared screen. - Synchronized, Time-Stamped History
Every action is recorded with a time stamp and visible across all users. The full history supports post-incident documentation and after-action review. This replaces the manual note-taking of legacy systems and builds a comprehensive timeline automatically.
From initial alert to incident closeout, Tablet Command gives responders and command staff access to the same data, in real time. It supports faster responses, safer operations, and more coordinated teams- from single-unit calls to third-alarm structure fires.
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