NIMS ICS Guide vs FirstNet Assist
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NIMS ICS Guide
This interactive reference app provides first responders with fast access to incident command information. It features dynamic checklists, customizable contact information, and all-hazards content to support training and on-scene decision-making.
- Dynamic checklists
- Incident-specific contact information
- Import contacts from address book
- Color-coded ICS charts
- All-hazards content
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“TIMELY AND THOROUGH… AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE TOOL.” —Cynthia Kellams, Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management When the NIMS ICS Guide® was introduced in 2006, it was the first pocket reference to give first responders fast access to information needed for effective incident command. Now updated with National Response Framework (NRF), this must-have pocket reference is used by more than 150,000 public safety and health professionals. Now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, this interactive application allows you to customize contact information for each incident for rapid on-scene communication, and provides detailed dynamic checklists that ensure that no detail is missed. The content is all-hazards, non-jurisdictional and discipline-specific, and includes responsibilities and rules for applying the Incident Command System (ICS). In addition to being an indispensable field tool, it is ideal for NIMS/ICS training and functional exercises, with dozens of detailed illustrations, charts and checklists. Designed for responders at the local, state or federal level or in private industry, this will quickly become your preferred NIMS training and field decision-support tool. Support your NIMS training with this comprehensive app and feel confident that your NIMS compliance requirements are met. TESTIMONIALS “In the process of retooling our campus Emergency Management Plan, this has been an invaluable resource. It has also been of great benefit during ICS and unified command training and emergency management exercises. It’s a top notch product.” —Lieutenant Bret Collier, Professional Standards and Emergency Management, University of Houston Department of Public Safety “A fantastic resource…indispensable to public safety operations.” —Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Arlington, Texas “An excellent reference for anyone faced with the possibility of working within a NIMS environment.” —Ed Wilson, Past President, Western Fire Chiefs Association APP FEATURES * Dynamic checklists that ensure you remember all steps * Incident-specific addresses that you can reset for each incident * Addresses can be imported from your address book or entered manually * Detailed, easy-to-read color-coded ICS charts * All-hazards, non-jurisdictional, discipline-specific FOR MORE INFORMATION Informed Publishing offers a full product line of references for the medical and first response markets, as well as a consumer line for home and family emergency preparedness. Informed references are available in a variety of formats: pocket-size print guides, PDF editions and now, apps for the iPhone & iPod Touch. Learn more at www.informedguides.com. SUPPORT For questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this guide, contact Informed® Publishing at apps@informedguides.com
FirstNet Assist
This app offers support tools for first responders, including access to customer care and device self-diagnostics. It also facilitates requesting device uplifts within a specified radius. A FirstNet portal login is required for access.
- Access to Customer Care
- Real-time device self-diagnostics
- Request device uplift
- Uplift request radius search
- FirstNet portal login required
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FirstNet Assist provides all primary and extended primary first responders with support tools at their fingertips. This app provides access to Customer Care using multiple methods, as well as providing real-time self-diagnostics based on your device brand and model. In case your device is uplift-ready, the app allows you to request uplift from the field to any current uplift request within 50 miles radius of your current location. FirstNet Assist requires a login to the FirstNet portal.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: FirstNet Assist at Free against NIMS ICS Guide's $14.99. FirstNet Assist also leads on ratings volume (244 vs 18). NIMS ICS Guide's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 7%) and rating (4.2 vs 1.6). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
FirstNet Assist is free to download; NIMS ICS Guide costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NIMS ICS Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FirstNet Assist has 244 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of NIMS ICS Guide's written reviews are positive against 7% of FirstNet Assist's.
NIMS ICS Guide ships an update every 2 months, FirstNet Assist every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.
| Parameter | NIMS ICS Guide | FirstNet Assist |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (18 ratings) — better | 1.6 (244 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 7.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 18 | 244 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 13.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Informed Publishing | AT&T Services, Inc. |
Customer experience
NIMS ICS Guide
FirstNet Assist
Bugs and requests
NIMS ICS Guide
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
FirstNet Assist
Reported bugs
14 issues- App crashes on launch, particularly on iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.1
- Login continue button not activating, preventing account access
- Constant logout after each use requiring re-authentication
- Biometric login feature not working despite being advertised
- App freezes and times out during login attempts
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- Web pages fail to load or load extremely slowly
- Links redirect to non-functional Safari pages
- Bill payment feature errors out repeatedly
- Chat feature unavailable or non-functional
- Account information not displaying correctly
- Auto-pay setup not persisting despite confirmation
- Multiple overlapping pages displaying simultaneously
- App incompatible with certain iOS versions
- User ID showing as inactive despite valid credentials
Requested features
11 requests- Implement Face ID/biometric authentication for faster login
- Mirror the AT&T app interface and functionality
- Integrate with main AT&T app instead of separate application
- Add native bill payment functionality within the app
- Improve app speed and responsiveness
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- Add bill notifications and reminders
- Create a true native app instead of web wrapper
- Add installment plan viewing capability
- Implement device and SIM compatibility checker at download
- Add 'Pay Bill' button on splash screen after login
- Improve account information accessibility
In-app purchases
NIMS ICS Guide
No in-app purchases
FirstNet Assist
No in-app purchases






