Comparison

Incident Responder vs ResponderRMS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Incident Responder

This app helps first responders see who is responding to an incident and their estimated arrival time. It integrates with existing dispatch systems to provide real-time updates on incidents and responder availability. Designed for municipal agencies like fire departments and ambulance services.

Highlights
  • Real-time incident updates
  • Responder status tracking (En Route, Available, Unavailable)
  • Response time and station logging
  • Agency-specific data access
  • Integration with CAD systems
Features
Read full description

The target audience for Incident Responder are first responders who are part of a municipal agency such as a volunteer fire department or ambulance. It requires that the agency is already set up with a CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system. In order to use the app, the agency needs to have their CAD pages forwarded to an email address assigned for use by Incident Responder. Contact the developer to set this up, or to get information on how to log in with credentials for a test account in order to explore app functionality. When a new incident is dispatched via CAD, it will show up nearly immediately in the app, and first responders can set their response (En Route, Available, Unavailable), along with response time and station. This allows fellow responders to quickly see who is responding to an incident and when they will be there. There is no charge to use the app. At this time the app is primarily for use by agencies within Mendocino County, CA. Contact the developer to discuss using it outside of that area (limited to within the USA at this time). User accounts are created only by an admin for each agency. Within a specific agency, the list of incidents, responders and responses to each incident will only be accessible by other members of that agency, they cannot see data for other agencies. NOTE: Incident Responder should NOT be used as the primary means for first responder incident notification, as there is no guarantee that it will receive data for each incident, or that individual incident data will be complete.

About

ResponderRMS

This app provides authorized fire and EMS personnel with dispatch, responder coordination, and department records. It offers critical alerts, live mapping, and status updates for incidents, along with tools for managing personnel, equipment, and reports.

Highlights
  • Critical incident alerts
  • Live responder mapping with ETAs
  • Hands-free status updates
  • Personnel and equipment management
  • Offline crew checks
  • EMS medication inventory
  • NFIRS and CO reporting
Features
Read full description

ResponderRMS is a modern operations platform for authorized Fire and EMS agencies. It brings CAD response, responder coordination, department records, readiness checks, EMS medication compliance, listen-only radio feeds, and incident reporting into one secure app—replacing spreadsheets, paper logs, and disconnected tools. Built by responders for the way agencies actually work. Access requires agency enrollment and administrator approval. Cloud-synced across phone, tablet, and desktop so the station, the front seat, and the watch desk share one source of truth. CAD & LIVE RESPONSE Receive alerts for new incidents. Review call type, location, priority, assigned units, comments, and linked preplans. See who is responding on live maps with ETAs. Live Activities keep active incidents on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Navigate with Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze. Responder MAYDAY sends agency-wide critical alerts when a member needs immediate help. Push notifications and agency-tuned tones keep Fire and EMS traffic distinct from routine messages and work orders. CarPlay and Siri shortcuts support status updates while driving. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS Agencies with Zello Work configured can sign in for listen-only channel audio—Play to start, Stop to end. Background listen is supported while a channel is actively playing. Agency radio feed placeholders are available for departments that want their own radio traffic in-app. Listen-only—no in-app PTT transmit. RECORDS, READINESS & DAILY OPERATIONS • Personnel — Roster, rank, company, certifications, and status • Apparatus — Unit status, assignments, readiness, and fleet detail • Equipment & Work Orders — Inventory and maintenance without paper • Department Checks — Apparatus, SCBA, equipment, and bailout checks with templates; Universal Checks workflows; offline continue and sync • Fuel Logs & Hydrants — Field readiness records and shared hydrant database support where enabled • Schedule, Events & Attendance — Department events and participation tracking • Preplan Locations — Building and occupancy preplans when seconds matter • Messages — Agency communications with notification preferences • Display Board & MDT — Station wallboards and MDT / Toughbook pairing EMS MEDICATIONS & PART 800 COMPLIANCE EMS agencies can manage operational medication and controlled-substance workflows aligned to Part 800 practice: formulary; storage locations (master vault, Two-Lock vehicle box, paramedic pouch); inventory, kits, and lots; daily counts, handovers, and seals; accountability and discrepancies; and DOH-3848 PDF exports. For agency operational record-keeping only—not medical advice. Does not replace clinical protocols, medical control, or state regulatory guidance. INCIDENT REPORTING & DEPARTMENT FORMS Close the loop with NERIS incident reporting, Report Manager exports, CO reports, training and driver training forms with approvals, and audit logs. Legacy NFIRS access has been removed per NERIS guidelines. Role-based administration covers agency configuration, user management and approvals, notification preferences, multi-agency switching, and compliance settings. SECURITY, ROLES & ACCOUNTABILITY Designed for enrolled agencies—not the general public. Administrators approve members, assign roles and capabilities, and control module access. Preferences include tones for messages, work orders, Signal 3, EMS and fire alarms, plus critical-alert and location settings for response work. WHO IT'S FOR Fire departments, EMS agencies, and combined services that want one platform for dispatch, records, checks, radio listen-only, medications compliance, and reporting. SUPPORT & LEGAL Support: https://responderrms.com/support Privacy: https://responderrms.com/privacy Website: https://responderrms.com ResponderRMS — Built by responders. Built for responders. Smarter Response Starts Here.

Screenshots

Incident Responder4 screens
ResponderRMS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ResponderRMS at 5.0 against Incident Responder's 4.7. ResponderRMS also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). Incident Responder's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ResponderRMS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Incident Responder has 12 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Incident Responder ships an update every 6 weeks, ResponderRMS fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Incident Responder versus ResponderRMS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIncident ResponderResponderRMS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (12 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size64 MB154 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperFred EhnowJason Pedota

Customer experience

Incident Responder

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

ResponderRMS

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Incident Responder

No in-app purchases

None

ResponderRMS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Incident Responder free?
Incident Responder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ResponderRMS free?
ResponderRMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Incident Responder or ResponderRMS?
ResponderRMS is rated higher. Incident Responder averages 4.7 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while ResponderRMS averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Incident Responder or ResponderRMS have ads?
Neither Incident Responder nor ResponderRMS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Incident Responder or ResponderRMS?
Incident Responder ships an update every 6 weeks, and ResponderRMS fortnightly. Most recently, Incident Responder was updated on October 2, 2026 and ResponderRMS on October 6, 2026.

Other comparisons