First Due

Pros

The easy transfer of data from one software to another.

Cons

The Investigation module.
The over all way we to to set up and track inventory.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

First Due is one of the only emergency services records management vendors that offers an almost complete suite of solutions, covering almost every aspect of our operation and administration. The system feels purpose-built for the web and mobile environment, and the product is continually upgraded. There is definitely not a lack of innovation.

Cons

At times, there are so many new features and improvements that things sometimes get broken, causing temporary loss of some functionality.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Switched From

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

I like that it's a plug-and-play records-management system that has a permit section already included, so that we didn't have to build our own. I also would highly commend the support that we have received. [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] has been prompt and attentive and helped solve problems very quickly, regardless of time of day.

Cons

I would like to have more user-based options and control available. For example: In our permit section, the database that is generated doesn't offer a space for us to assign particular inspectors to ensure proper and thorough accountability, and it doesn't have phone numbers, which, instead, are found only by opening each application and then transcribing the numbers. (Because they are spread out over three different fields, one cannot simply cut and paste the numbers, either.)

Pros

What I liked most about First Due was the way it streamlined our entire department’s operations. From pre-incident planning to incident reporting, everything is centralized, making it easy for our team to stay prepared and efficient. The real-time data through the mobile app was a standout feature, giving our firefighters critical information in the field and helping us make informed decisions when seconds count.

Cons

It’s hard to call this a true "con," but the speed at which First Due continues to evolve can sometimes be a challenge to keep up with. The platform is constantly adding new features and updates, which is great for staying cutting-edge but requires us to stay on top of training and implementation.

Pros

First Due brings all of our operations under one umbrella. Prior to purchasing First Due, our processes were disjointed and inefficient. There was a duplication of effort, entering the same information into multiple systems on multiple platforms. This increased the workload on our personnel and resulted in errors in data entry. Simple tasks like entering work schedules that were previously cumbersome and unavailable to systems downstream such as NFIRS and payroll are now streamlined into one system. Information entered once into the Scheduling module is then available to Command Board, Incident Documentation, Payroll and exposure reporting. This frees our people to serve our citizens rather than be a slave to IT.

Cons

Our implementation was honestly rough. We had one Implementation Manager who attempted to implement all our products. She was kind and tried her best; however she lacked the time, bandwidth, and technical ability to work across all platforms. I do believe the process has changed since we onboarded. I am confident this change will make the implementation process much smoother.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

How certain things can be customized to your departments needs, the support section has some good content to answer internal questions

Cons

As a non-computer person I get a little lost in the program. If i dont create or assign an asset in a few months its takes me alittle longer then I would like to relearn. But once I got it, its not a big deal

Pros

The ease of use and map. My crews love how customizable everything is on each module. We can get the reports we need out of it and be properly notified when emergencies happen.

Cons

The call notification struggles on the mobile side. We’ve worked with support to try and fix the problem, but no resolution has been met.

Pros

Adaptability to the needs of the department

Cons

Needs more templates or examples of ways to set up the software to match the needs of the department. Issues sent to support can take too long to fix.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

The scheduling system works well and is user friendly for our department. We went from an old "pen and paper" style system and this is a much better system.

Cons

First Due is growing very fast and making lots of good changes. Some of our requests from two years ago are still in the system and have never gotten a response.

Pros

Work flow. User friendly. Incredible help desk and knowledge base. An all-in-one platform that outperforms all others!

Cons

Still in its infancy so there is so much more to do!!

Pros

"Much better than most other software out there. It integrates with a lot of other platforms. The best feature is the client success support that you receive. Personally, I know that without my client success representative,here I am today." I wouldn't be. You also get a one-stop shop out of this software, and for the line personnel, it is one of the best solutions out there right now.

Cons

Some modules, such as the command and arson modules, are far behind others. Some things could bedly on the fire prevention side and organizational. Also, designing permits, inspections, reports, and other forms more user-frien is not easy. You need to be tech-savvy for this.

Pros

We have many opinions in the fire service and with that being said there are many components that gets kudos. This runs from their modules to personnel.

Cons

The toughest part of FD is the initial figuring out what you need to provide and how does your data correlate to FD. Our initial contact was rocky at the start. FD would ask for information but understanding how that fit into their language was a struggle. Once an internal decision was made to drive the bus and set our priorities and also understanding that some task saturation existed in FD, we were better able to pivot to turn it into a positive. FD has numerous clients who range from 1000's too few. The "reinvention" of the wheel was frustrating to us. If there was a repository that a department could pull from and simply modify it for their needs, it would be a time saving feature at no additional cost. (Checklists, Reports, etc..)

Pros

A single location for handling the majority of all Fire and EMS Related management.

Cons

Data migration wasn't easy. We had data in many locations, and the initial importing with our implementation team missed the mark. Our success manager eventually caught up and remedied this. Once the data was in the right spots and available, we were able to move along quite well with our occupancies and inspections.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Switched From

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

First Due's records management software is a game-changer for the fire service. It's streamlined, intuitive, and absolutely essential for effective emergency response. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, it revolutionizes how we handle data, ensuring seamless coordination and quicker, more informed decision-making during critical incidents. Highly recommended for any fire department looking to enhance efficiency and safety.

Cons

While primarily American-based, First Due's records management software is gradually evolving to cater to Canadian fire service needs. This promising transition signals responsiveness to international demands, offering Canadian departments increasingly tailored solutions over time.

Pros

Preplan, Inspections, Permits, Invoices

Cons

Sometimes the connections via iPad. I really don’t have any other issues

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

The different modules that they offer. Instead of having multiple applications, I now need just one for a majority of our day to day activities.

Cons

Need to be able to have a training system to put training materials on.

Pros

The ability to generate reports, streamline processes and tell our story.

Cons

Not much to dislike. The change to first due has served our organization well

Pros

We love the functionality, portability and ease of use. Once you understand the capabilities and how to use everything it is great. We have ported all of our department functions to the platform and we are very pleased.

Cons

Our onboarding process was rough. The initial onboarding manager promised a lot of things that couldn't actually be done, and by that time we were already in contract. Since then the customer service has been much better.

Pros

First due is constantly coming out with new improvements and I really like that.

Cons

I do not have any yet. Any cons are just due to the huge time commitment that we created by going to the full suite that First due provides. But that was self-inflicted and does not reflect anything negative on First due

Pros

Complete program. New enhancements regularly.

Cons

With the user interface was dressed up a little.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Switched From

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

The over functionality. It has all the aspects needed to run an RMS efficiently.

Cons

Not sure that I have any cons. We’ve only had the system for a little over a year and still adding new modules to our list. The only upset I have had was that we initially purchased all the modules, but I’ve learned I do not have access to the all. I’ve had to put in several work tickets to get them added to my profile.

Pros

Ease of use because it works how you think it should work. It's also really easy to have questions on the operation of various modules answered by using the knowledge base. If the answer is not in the knowledge base, you can reach out to your client success manager and they will either answer your question or forward it on and you will have an answer in a timely manor.

Cons

Cost. The cost could be seen as a con but after looking at other software platforms they are well in line with the others. We are actually adding money in the next years budget add other modules because of what a great platform it is.

Pros

Ease of navigating scheduling the ability to move employees

Cons

Report generation, we use a QA process which requires running reports

Pros

ease for inspections, pips and integration.

Cons

i can’t come up with one yet but. the support is great.

Pros

It is an all in one solution to the fire service. It has an awesome report creator to build reports for council and everything else.

Cons

Takes a lot of front end set up, but any program would that is this in depth.

Pros

Vast ability of the software. Pre-plan areas look to capture a wide array of valuable information.

Cons

Report font sizing. Narrative boxes could be larger. The larger the screen size using a desktop platform, the easier it is.

Pros

The interactive with First Due personal.

Cons

I have not found any part of First Due that I did not like.

Pros

Multiple modules that work together seamlessly.

Cons

Challenges with integrating with county CAD system.

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Choosing First Due

Switched From

Reasons for Switching to First Due

Pros

Constantly improving the quality and efficiency. Customer service is good

Cons

Not much. Custom feature requests take a bit of time but eventually they get there

Pros

Presentations were very informative and the presenters were knowledgeable of the software.

Cons

Some of the rooms were too crowded and small.

Pros

Easy to use and fast navigation, preplans, previous call history for a location, hydrant locations, water main sizes, read call notes, and track units via a map.

Cons

Can sometimes be slow to load, so preplan density must be adjusted to only populate on the map when zoomed in close to a building.

Pros

That we can customize our responses to meet our needs and that it doesn't have to be a generic response because the program is non-customizable.

Cons

I haven't found anything that I really "don't" like about the software... everything seems to be an upgrade from the software we were using.

Pros

We can load all the necessary information to gain knowledge of a building before arriving on scene.

Cons

most of my usage is pre arrival and having access to maximum amount of information is crucial

Pros

Using First Due I can efficiently manage the entire fire prevention program and increase my productivity.

Cons

Need to add risk analysis for community risk reduction.

Pros

We currently use pre plan but would like to switch to EPCR and NFIRS just haven’t yet

Cons

Nothing, it is very user friendly and great people to work with

Pros

First Due has been easy to integrate into our current operations. The platform via the computer and application are easy to use and teach to our members. This software provides a location for collected information to live and be accessed in a timely manner. The notification and mapping to incidents helps get our member started to the call. The dashboard provides quick tiles that allow responders to quickly identify hazards that can be encountered at the emergency incident.

Cons

Some more customization abilities would be nice to allow the administrator and users the ability to make timely changes not having to rely on the company who is busy with multiple clients.

Pros

This software is all encompassing. It has everything that a first responder would need while en route to an emergency. The ease of use makes it easy to implement to all crews. I would highly recommend to any Fire/PD department to help have a true "live" library of target hazards. The information can be updated on the fly and be immediately available.

Cons

None, anything that we feel is missing, First Due easily develops and implements.

Pros

-The firefighter receives an alert message to their device about a call and can immediately route or access the preplan. The driving directions are excellent.
- The preplan can be simple pulled straight off the internet or complex as you desire with hazards and feature icons placed by layers in the building.

Cons

-The program price will make you hesitate to purchase. Once you subscribe, you will be happy with the data you receive with such an easy interface.
-Needs an internet connection.

Pros

First Due provides users with up-to-date information on their incident responses with only a few button clicks. This software has revolutionized pre-incident situational awareness in emergency response.

Cons

Have not come across any dislikes with the software to date.

Pros

Easy to use, mobile friendly, and displays important pre-plan information for every call on iPads located in our apparatuses and on each member’s devices.

Cons

There are no cons to report about this software.