> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cadmus-cad.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cadmus Dispatch CAD: Your Real-Time Dispatch Command Center

> Cadmus Dispatch CAD is the real-time command surface for 911 dispatchers, fire, EMS, and law enforcement — manage calls, units, and comms in one place.

Cadmus Dispatch CAD is the primary computer-aided dispatch application for public-safety telecommunicators and dispatch supervisors. Use it to take calls for service (CFS), track and assign units, coordinate fire and EMS responses, run NCIC queries, and keep field personnel informed in real time — all from a single, keyboard-optimized interface designed for the pace of the dispatch center.

## Who Uses Dispatch CAD

Every role in the dispatch center has a home in Cadmus Dispatch CAD. Field officers and deputies work in **Mobile CAD** on MDTs or mobile devices; the calls and assignments you create here flow directly to their screens.

| Role                         | Typical work                                                               |
| ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **911 / PSAP dispatcher**    | Answer calls, create CFS, assign units, update status                      |
| **Fire or EMS dispatcher**   | Discipline-specific boards, mutual aid, status timers                      |
| **Law enforcement dispatch** | NCIC queries, BOLOs, traffic stops, wrecker rotation                       |
| **Supervisor / lead**        | Oversight, greaseboard pass-on, admin verification (with Web Admin access) |

## What You Can Do

Dispatch CAD consolidates the core tasks of a telecommunicator into one workspace. Key capabilities include:

* **Create and manage CFS** — intake location, reporting parties, incident type, priority, and disposition from first ring to close
* **Dispatch units** — log in crews, assign from the board or call detail, and track en route / on scene in real time
* **Command line** — drive status changes, dispatcher notes, unit assignments, persons/vehicles, and batch actions from the keyboard (Omnigo-style)
* **Map and location** — geocoded addresses, unit plots, and RapidSOS caller tracking when enabled by your agency
* **Queries** — NCIC/CJIS lookups when your agency is configured for criminal-justice access
* **Communications** — dispatcher chat, SMS to field users, and SMS templates tied directly to a CFS
* **Operations boards** — BOLOs, operational greaseboard, wrecker rotation, and utility contacts
* **History** — find closed calls, review audit logs, and access SMS and query history on any CFS

<Note>
  Settings that control what you see — incident types, quick calls, NCIC configuration, and report numbers — are managed in **Web Admin** by your agency administrators. Contact your admin if options appear missing.
</Note>

## How Dispatch CAD Fits in Cadmus

Dispatch CAD sits at the center of the Cadmus public-safety ecosystem. Changes flow outward to field responders and inward from agency configuration:

```
Reporting party / 911  →  Dispatch CAD  (create & dispatch CFS)
                                ↓
                          Mobile CAD    (field updates, notes, NCIC)
                                ↑
                          Web Admin     (users, agencies, templates, integrations)
```

| Application      | Your relationship to it                                                                               |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dispatch CAD** | Your primary workspace — create, dispatch, and close calls                                            |
| **Mobile CAD**   | Field responders see and update the same calls you create here                                        |
| **Web Admin**    | Agency admins configure incident types, users, and integrations; changes take effect after you reload |

<Tip>
  Agency admins who configure and dispatch should review the [Admin and manager setup guide](/dispatch/admin-manager-guide) for a go-live checklist that spans Dispatch CAD, Mobile CAD, and Web Admin.
</Tip>

## New dispatcher: start here

<Steps>
  <Step title="Getting started">
    [Sign in, sandbox vs live, and main layout](/dispatch/getting-started).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a CFS">
    Use **New CFS** (F1) — [Create CFS workflow](/dispatch/create-cfs) and [Form fields](/dispatch/cfs-form-fields).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in units">
    **Login User** (F2) — [Unit login and assignment](/dispatch/unit-login).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work the call">
    [Call detail overview](/dispatch/call-detail) from first dispatch through updates.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close the call">
    Disposition, primary officer, report numbers — [Close call](/dispatch/close-call).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Then add [Quick calls and F-keys](/dispatch/quick-calls-fkeys) and the [Command Line overview](/dispatch/command-line-overview) when you are comfortable with the boards.

## Main workspace at a glance

| Area              | Purpose                                                                  |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Header**        | New CFS, Login User, Query, Map, Units, BOLO, Chat, settings             |
| **Units sidebar** | Active units, off-duty pool, quick status                                |
| **Call boards**   | Pending, Patrol, Dispatched, Fire, EMS, Recent, timers, BOLOs, Resources |
| **Call detail**   | Full CFS: location, units, parties, notes, SMS, queries, close           |
| **Command line**  | Type commands at bottom of dashboard or on call detail                   |

See [Dashboard overview](/dispatch/dashboard-overview) for every tab and board behavior.

## Header shortcuts (F-keys)

| Key        | Action                                                     |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **F1**     | New CFS                                                    |
| **F2**     | Login User                                                 |
| **F3**     | Query (when NCIC enabled)                                  |
| **F4**     | Map                                                        |
| **F5**     | Units / unit greaseboard                                   |
| **F6–F12** | Agency quick-call templates (e.g. traffic stop, follow-up) |

F-keys do not fire while **New CFS** is open. Full list and configuration notes: [Quick calls and F-keys](/dispatch/quick-calls-fkeys).

## Documentation map

### Core workflows

| Topic       | Guide                                                                                                |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| First run   | [Getting started](/dispatch/getting-started)                                                         |
| Dashboard   | [Dashboard overview](/dispatch/dashboard-overview)                                                   |
| Create CFS  | [Create CFS workflow](/dispatch/create-cfs) · [Form fields](/dispatch/cfs-form-fields)               |
| Call detail | [Call detail overview](/dispatch/call-detail) · [Close call](/dispatch/close-call)                   |
| Units       | [Unit login and assignment](/dispatch/unit-login) · [Dispatching units](/dispatch/dispatching-units) |

### Tools and integrations

| Topic      | Guide                                                                                                               |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Shortcuts  | [Quick calls and F-keys](/dispatch/quick-calls-fkeys)                                                               |
| Map        | [Map and location](/dispatch/map-and-location)                                                                      |
| Comms      | [Chat, SMS, and comms](/dispatch/chat-sms-comms) · [SMS templates and messaging](/dispatch/sms-templates-messaging) |
| Operations | [BOLO, greaseboard, and wrecker](/dispatch/bolo-greaseboard-wrecker)                                                |
| NCIC       | [Queries and NCIC](/dispatch/queries-ncic)                                                                          |
| History    | [Find a call](/dispatch/find-a-call)                                                                                |

### Support and administration

| Topic       | Guide                                                          |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Problems    | [Troubleshooting](/dispatch/troubleshooting)                   |
| Admin setup | [Admin and manager setup guide](/dispatch/admin-manager-guide) |

## Command line

Power users can drive most call and unit actions from the **command line** instead of clicking through dialogs — status changes, dispatcher notes, assign units, persons/vehicles, and more.

Start with [Command Line overview](/dispatch/command-line-overview), then [Getting started](/dispatch/command-line-getting-started) and [Command reference](/dispatch/command-reference). Agency-specific aliases are configured in **Web Admin**.

<Tip>
  Confirm **Sandbox** vs **Live** in the header before training or production work. Use **Select Agencies** when you dispatch for more than one agency in an organization. After admin changes to incident types or quick calls, reload Dispatch CAD if something looks stale.
</Tip>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting Started" icon="rocket" href="/dispatch/getting-started">
    Sign in, understand sandbox vs. live environments, learn the main layout, and complete your essential first actions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dashboard Overview" icon="layout-dashboard" href="/dispatch/dashboard-overview">
    Explore every call board tab, the units sidebar, status timers, and recent call search on the Dispatch CAD dashboard.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  NCIC and CJIS data must remain on approved channels. Follow your agency's criminal-justice policy at all times. Do not share live CFS details or reporting-party information outside authorized systems.
</Warning>