Best Shift Scheduling Software for Police & Fire Departments (2025)

Public safety agencies require specialized scheduling tools to manage 24/7 operations, union rules, fatigue management, and emergency staffing. Here are the top solutions designed specifically for police and fire departments.

Top 5 Scheduling Solutions for Public Safety

1. Telestaff (Best for Large Agencies)

✅ Key Features:

• FLSA & union rule compliance

• Automatic holiday rotation

• Overtime equalization

• Real-time emergency staffing

💰 Pricing: Enterprise-level (custom quotes)
📌 Used By: LAPD, FDNY, Chicago PD

2. Vector Scheduling (Best for Mid-Sized Departments)

✅ Key Features:

• Graphical shift trades

• Fatigue risk scoring

• Training hour tracking

• Mobile app for officers

💰 Pricing: Starts at $5/officer/month
📌 Clients: 500+ police/fire agencies

3. Aladtec (Best for Volunteer/Paid Mix)

✅ Key Features:

• Combined career/volunteer scheduling

• Mass notification system

• Certification tracking

• NFPA 1221 compliance

💰 Pricing: From $75/month (unlimited users)
📌 Best For: EMS, rural fire districts

4. InTime (Best for Law Enforcement)

✅ Key Features:

• Patrol beat balancing

• Court appearance tracking

• Early intervention alerts

• CJIS-compliant

💰 Pricing: Contact for agency quotes
📌 Used By: State police agencies

5. SHIFTON First Responder (Budget Option)

✅ Key Features:

• Basic 24/7 rotation templates

• OT threshold alerts

• Mobile shift swaps

• Offline capability

💰 Pricing: Starts at $12/user/month
📌 Best For: Small towns, reserves

Key Public Safety Scheduling Needs

Fair Overtime Distribution

Prevents grievances

Fatigue Management

Reduces safety risks

Rapid Recall

Emergency mobilization

Training Integration

Maintains certifications

Audit Trails

FLSA/union compliance

Implementation Checklist

1. Configure Labor Rules

   • Union contracts (IAFF, FOP)

   • FLSA overtime calculations

2. Set Up Emergency Protocols

   • Disaster activation workflows

   • Mutual aid staffing

3. Mobile Deployment

   • Rugged tablets for fire apparatus

   • MDC integration for patrol

4. Train Key Roles

   • Chiefs on analytics

   • Officers on self-service

ROI for Public Safety

• 25% fewer scheduling grievances

• 15% reduction in preventable fatigue errors

• 30% faster disaster staffing

• 100% accurate payroll compliance

Pro Tip: Look for NIBRS-compatible systems to auto-schedule crime reporting audits.