Investigating and identifying the cause of a fire is a challenging process. For many fire investigation units (FIUs), a good fire station software can streamline the process and help make investigations more accurate.
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There are several types of fire department software to choose from, ranging from incident tracking and scheduling to records management and fire investigation case management software. In this guide, we’ll share our top recommendations, key features to look for, and tips on finding the best fire investigation software that fits your needs.
Fire station software can help improve efficiency and operational capabilities, optimize resources, and ensure accurate reporting. These are our top eight recommendations for solutions that can improve the effectiveness of your investigations and deliver better service to your community.
Pricing: Custom pricing per department (4 types of plans)
Free Trial: 14-day free trial
Platforms: Web
When to pick Blazestack: You need a comprehensive fire investigation case management software as an arson and fire investigator. Blazestack is case management software that helps arson and fire investigators log, report, and document investigations. Blazestack also offers customizable fire investigation templates that simplify reporting, helping investigators easily generate compliant reports. The software has made its mark among investigators looking for a comprehensive solution that makes it easy to collect and store fire scene data in the field due to its accessibility through laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.
What makes Blazestack truly shine, though, is its advanced one-click reporting capabilities, which allow investigators to generate NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033-compliant origin and cause reports. Blazestack also helps effortlessly generate summary reports, K9 deployment reports, and scene examination reports. The intuitive user interface, time-saving shortcuts, and collaboration features are added bonuses that make the entire user experience enjoyable and efficient. If you’re looking for a case management software that reduces hours of work and improves the accuracy of your investigations and reports, Blazestack is the best option.
Key Features
Supports NFPA 921, 1033, and 1321
ADA compliant
Online collaboration and review
Auto-populate VIN and weather information
Case media library
Incident statistics
Transcribes and summarizes audio and video files for witness statements
First Due is an end-to-end fire station software that helps FIUs manage pre-incident planning, incident reporting, personnel, and records from a single platform. The cloud software offers flexibility and upgrades so investigators can benefit from customization options to fit their specific needs.
This may be a good solution for agencies that are transitioning from a manual workflow and need an entire suite of applications to cover every aspect of their operations. However, if you’re looking for features to support specific processes, such as case management or reporting, it may be better to invest in a solution that specializes in it.
Key Features
Reporting and statistics
Training management
Incident response checklist
Training management
Compliance management
Pros
A comprehensive range of features
Offers multiple customer support options
User-friendly dashboard
Cons
No free trial
Data migration can be complex
May not be cost-effective, especially for smaller units
APX SmartInvestigate is another fire station software to consider if you want to manage all your investigations from a single administration portal. The software is aligned with NFPA 921 standards and allows investigators to capture and log important scene and property information and autogenerate reports.
APX SmartInvestigate ensures accurate reporting through the automated data entry feature. Investigators can collect and log data on the go through tablets and mobile phones while ensuring complete confidentiality through the password-protected portal.
Key Features
NFPA complaint
Investigation management
Autogenerated reports
Collaboration features
Pros
Supports data capture on the field
Automated data entry feature improves accuracy
Allows you to autogenerate NFPA 921-compliant reports
ESO Fire RMS helps reduce errors and save time while ensuring you meet state-level and NFIRS compliance requirements. The platform takes care of scheduling and asset management to keep your team aligned.
ESO Fire Incidents help reduce errors and save time while reporting. Automatically import NFIRS data so you can keep track of all call documentation. The platform also offers exposure and incident tracking to ensure the health and safety of your team members.
Key Features
Activities and personnel management
Incident reporting
Logistics and asset management
Fully-configurable checklists
Pros
Meets state-level and NFIRS compliance requirements
Intuitive asset management features
Helps reduce errors in reports
Cons
Limited customization options
The application can be difficult to use on mobile for some users
PowerDMS is a workforce management platform that helps fire departments with staff scheduling, community engagement, policy management, and more. The platform is used by departments throughout the country to attract and retain talent, prevent burnout, simplify compliance, and promote wellness.
Departments can standardize and centralize their training resources in one place and monitor trainee progress and trainer effectiveness with PowerDMS. It also automates compliance, eliminates time-consuming scheduling, and helps build high-performing teams.
SafetyCulture is a fire station software that helps digitize every element of the department’s operations. This mobile-first platform helps departments move away from time-consuming manual paperwork so they can reduce errors and improve efficiency.
SafetyCulture helps onboard and upskill team members faster, improves communications with video messaging, and streamlines workflows with task assignments and actions. Departments can customize asset and inventory inspection checklists to reduce manual administrative tasks.
Key Features
Well-defined task management
Geo-tagging to track the location of incidents and personnel
Collaboration features
Customizable checklists
Digital training features
Pros
Helps save time through streamlined workflows
Digital training and onboarding features
Helps improve decision-making with data visibility
Cons
Enterprise plans may be expensive for smaller organizations
BuildOps is a cloud-based software that allows you to streamline investigations, reports, dispatch, and more. Team members can input data from the field and the collaborative features make it easy to improve the efficiency of the investigations.
BuildOps also offers customizable tools and templates to make reporting easier. While it is primarily a field service management software for commercial contractors, some of the features can also be used by fire departments to improve investigation, dispatch, and reporting efficiency.
Key Features
Scheduling and dispatch
Time tracking
On-site weather conditions
Data input from the field
Customizable templates for reporting
Pros
Seamlessly connects the department with on-field team members
Easy to use collaboration features
Allows customization of tools and templates
Cons
Limited integrations available
Not specifically developed for fire departments or organizations
FireHouse Manager is a good option for departments that want to transition from paper files to electronic records. The solution helps fire departments automate a variety of tasks ranging from incident management to reporting.
The easy-to-use dashboard integrates everything on a single screen so you can view all the critical information to manage inventory, track vehicle inspections, and generate reports.
Key Features
Inventory management
Certification and training tracking
Inspections and maintenance
Report generation
Pros
Makes it easy to track inventory and maintenance
Easy to navigate
Streamlines data record-keeping
Cons
Required fields are not automatically populated
Mostly focuses on tracking maintenance and inventory, so lacks other features
Methodology
We reviewed 30 fire station software based on a number of factors, such as compliance, security, cost, customer support, features, supported platforms, free trial availability, and online reviews, to select our top eight recommendations for this list.
Benefits of Fire Station Software
Switching to a robust and feature-rich time savingfire reporting software can improve your department's overall operations. Here are a few key benefits you can take advantage of when you invest in one:
Improved Efficiency: Your department can automate routine tasks like incident reporting, inventory management, and scheduling to reduce time spent on administrative duties.
Improved Communication: Most fire department software come with communication features like automatic alerts, notifications, and messaging, which can improve coordination and improve responses.
Streamlined Processes: You can use fire station software to centralize everything from incident reporting to call dispatching. With standardized procedures, your department can ensure that all team members are following the same policies and protocols.
Better Resource Management: Fire station software solutions can help track personnel availability, station resources, and equipment. Enhanced visibility can help you allocate resources effectively and ensure readiness.
Accurate Reporting: Streamlined data collection and automated report generation tools enhance accuracy and can help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
Key Features to Look for in Fire Station Software
While the exact features you need in a fire station software will vary based on the size of your organization and specific needs, here are a few essential features you should look for:
Communication and collaboration tools
Incident tracking and reporting
Scheduling and personnel management
Resource management
Reporting and analytics
Record-keeping
Compliance management
Integration capabilities
Customization options
How to Choose the Right Fire Station Software
It’s important to carefully evaluate your department’s specific needs, resources, and goals to choose the right fire department software. Here are a few tips to help you with your decision-making:
Carefully assess the needs of your department and make a list of the important features your department needs.
Determine a budget and take the initial costs and ongoing expenses into consideration.
Research options and make a list of software solutions that offer the features you need within your budget, particularly focusing on fire investigation software.
Request a demo or a free trial from the top three vendors you choose to see how it works in real time.
Check to see if the software is accessible on tablets and mobile phones if you require field usability.
Make sure the software complies with the required standards and regulations.
Consider compatibility with your current systems.
Read the training resources and check to ensure that the vendor’s customer support is responsive.
Read online reviews and case studies, and speak to other departments that are using the platform to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
The right fire station software can enhance your operational efficiency, reduce time spent on mundane tasks, and improve the accuracy of your reports. However, it’s important to systematically evaluate your needs and compare multiple options before you choose a solution.
FAQs
What types of fire station software are available?
There are several different types of fire station software designed to address specific functions and needs within a department. Here are a few common options you’ll typically find:
Can fire station software integrate with other systems?
Yes. Many fire station software can integrate with other systems like dispatch, RMS, EMS, and accounting systems.How much does fire station software cost?The cost of fire station software varies greatly depending on its features, the size of the departments it serves, and other factors. While there are several budget-friendly options available, we recommend making a list of the features you need and contacting vendors to see if it’s the right option for you.
How much does fire station software cost?
The cost of fire station software varies greatly depending on its features, the size of the departments it serves, and other factors. While there are several budget-friendly options available, we recommend making a list of the features you need and contacting vendors to see if it’s the right option for you.
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