Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for evaluators, IT, and command staff.
The questions we hear most — about the platform, integrations, security, procurement, and getting your people up and running.
Already a customer and need help?
Our support team is here 24·7·365. Reach us the way that's fastest for you — and check the service status at status.firstarriving.com.
Getting started
What is First Arriving?
A real-time internal communications platform for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and local government. We consolidate information from your existing systems and surface it on big-screen station displays, desktop, and mobile — so your people always know what's happening.
Who is it for?
Departments and agencies of all sizes. Command staff use it for the operational picture; crews use it for the daily information they need; leadership uses it to keep everyone aligned.
How do we get started?
Schedule a demo. We'll walk through your systems, stations, and goals, then map out a managed deployment tailored to your department.
Platform & setup
How long does implementation take?
Going fully live on a hardware-backed platform — station displays plus mobile access — is typically a 3–4 month collaborative process. Your user accounts can go live much sooner. Pace depends on how quickly we can gather integration access and content together.
Do we need special hardware?
Displays run on standard TVs with a media device we help you configure. Desktop and mobile access need only a browser and internet connection.
Can different stations and roles see different things?
Yes. Dashboards are configured per station, role, or display, and user accounts deliver targeted information to the right people.
Integrations & data
What systems do you integrate with?
130+ integrations across CAD, RMS, scheduling, training, fleet, mapping, weather, and more — surfacing 400+ data points. Browse the integrations directory for the current list.
What if our system isn't listed?
Tell us what you run. We regularly add integrations and support flexible inputs like feeds, CSV imports, and embedded widgets.
Who gathers the API keys and access?
We do it collaboratively. Our implementation team guides you through gathering credentials and choosing the integration components you want.
Pricing & procurement
How is First Arriving priced?
Pricing depends on your package and scope. Schedule a demo for a tailored quote — we'll scope it to your stations, displays, and needs.
Can we purchase cooperatively?
Yes. We offer cooperative purchasing through our NCSA contract, which can let qualifying agencies skip a lengthy RFP process. See the Procurement page for details.
Are there grants that can help fund it?
Several funding paths may apply depending on your discipline and state. Our Grants & Funding page outlines options and how the NCSA cooperative vehicle fits in.
Security & support
How do you handle security?
We follow industry-standard security practices and are SOC 2 in process. See the Security Overview for our safeguards and posture.
What support do we get?
Ongoing support 24·7·365 via our Support Center, email, and customer portal, plus a dedicated implementation and support team through your rollout.
Who owns our data?
You do. Your data remains yours; we use it only to provide the service as described in our agreement.