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Head-to-head · Fire Department Software

First Due vs Operative IQ

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
First Due #1 in Fire Department Software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit First Due
Operative IQ #6 in Fire Department Software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Operative IQ

First Due leads on 0 checks, Operative IQ on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Our editors rank First Due at #1 and Operative IQ at #6 for fire department software; First Due and Operative IQ have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

First Due is the better fit for departments wanting a broad, mobile fire/EMS suite. Operative IQ is the better fit for departments focused on fleet, inventory, and credentialing.

  • First Due fits best

    Departments wanting a broad, mobile fire/EMS suite

  • Operative IQ fits best

    Departments focused on fleet, inventory, and credentialing

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Side by side

Feature First Due —/10 Visit ↗ Operative IQ —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — —
Ranking #1 in Fire Department Software #6 in Fire Department Software
Best for Departments wanting a broad, mobile fire/EMS suite Departments focused on fleet, inventory, and credentialing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Android
Support Phone Phone
Compliance SOC 2 SOC 2
Integrations 8 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features First Due 0/6 · Operative IQ 0/6
Incident reporting Not published Not published
Inspections management Not published Not published
Training records Not published Not published
Scheduling and roster Not published Not published
Apparatus tracking Not published Not published
Mobile app Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines incident reporting, ePCR, CAD workflows, and mobile routing
  • Covers prevention, personnel, assets, training, and incident command
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with integrations including CAD and Esri
  • Tracks inventory and assets across stations, vehicles, and crews
  • Combines fleet maintenance with vehicle location and diagnostics
  • Supports credentialing, scheduling, and mobile inspections
Cons
  • Pricing is contact-sales rather than published in plans
  • Its wide module scope may exceed the needs of departments seeking one focused tool
  • Cloud deployment may not suit departments requiring on-premises software
  • Does not list ePCR support
  • Does not list billing or claims features
  • Public pricing is not provided
Our verdict

First Due is a cloud-based operations platform for fire and EMS agencies, with web and native iOS and Android access. It is aimed at departments that want incident documentation and response workflows alongside prevention and day-to-day…

Read the review →

Operative IQ is an operations and compliance platform for fire departments and other public safety agencies. Its focus is agency readiness: managing equipment, fleet, workforce credentials, inspections, and service requests rather than…

Read the review →
  1. First DueFire Department Software —Pricing on request
  2. Operative IQFire Department Software —Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • First Due — where it wins

    • Combines incident reporting, ePCR, CAD workflows, and mobile routing
    • Covers prevention, personnel, assets, training, and incident command
    • Web, iOS, and Android access with integrations including CAD and Esri

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is contact-sales rather than published in plans
    • Its wide module scope may exceed the needs of departments seeking one focused tool
    • Cloud deployment may not suit departments requiring on-premises software
  • Operative IQ — where it wins

    • Tracks inventory and assets across stations, vehicles, and crews
    • Combines fleet maintenance with vehicle location and diagnostics
    • Supports credentialing, scheduling, and mobile inspections

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not list ePCR support
    • Does not list billing or claims features
    • Public pricing is not provided

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026