Tickets CAD Overview
Eric Osterberg
Tickets CAD - Open Source Computer Aided Dispatch
The Only Free, Full-Featured CAD System for Organizations That Can't Afford One
What Is Tickets CAD?
Tickets CAD is a free, open source Computer Aided Dispatch system that brings professional-grade dispatch capabilities to organizations that need them most but can afford them least.
Commercial CAD systems from vendors like Motorola, Tyler Technologies, and Hexagon cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in licensing, implementation, and annual maintenance. Tickets CAD provides core dispatch functionality at zero cost.
Who Uses Tickets CAD?
- Volunteer Fire Departments - Small departments with no budget for commercial dispatch software
- Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) - Ham radio operators providing emergency communications
- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) - Citizen volunteers trained for disaster response
- Search and Rescue Teams - Volunteer SAR organizations coordinating field operations
- Small EMS Agencies - Rural ambulance services with limited resources
- Event Medical Services - Medical teams at community events, races, and festivals
- Disaster Response Organizations - Groups coordinating relief during emergencies
- Training Programs - Fire academies and emergency management courses
Why Choose Tickets CAD?
Zero Cost
No licensing fees. No per-seat charges. No annual maintenance contracts. No vendor lock-in. The software is free to download, install, and use. Forever.
Battle-Tested
Tickets CAD has been in active use for over 30 years across multiple organizations. It handles real incidents in real emergencies. This is not prototype software.
Feature-Rich
While commercial CAD systems charge extra for modules and features, Tickets CAD includes a comprehensive feature set out of the box.
Self-Hosted
You own your data. No cloud subscription that disappears when funding runs out. Install it on a local server, a donated computer, or a low-cost VPS. Your dispatch data stays yours.
Community Supported
An active community of users and contributors helps each other through the Google Group and GitHub. No expensive support contracts required.
Core Features
Incident Dispatch
Create, manage, and close incident tickets with full lifecycle tracking. Assign units, log actions, record timestamps, and maintain a complete audit trail of every dispatch decision.
Interactive Mapping
Real-time mapping powered by Leaflet with support for OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Esri tile layers. Plot incidents, track units, calculate response zones, and visualize your operational picture.
Unit Management
Track responder units with customizable status codes, GPS position tracking, and mileage logging. See who's available, who's en route, and who's on scene at a glance.
Live Dispatch Board
A real-time call board shows all active incidents, assigned units, and current status. Designed for wall-mounted monitors in dispatch centers.
Facility Management
Manage fire stations, hospitals, and other facilities. Track receiving facility assignments, response routes, and facility-specific status.
Messaging & Communication
Built-in messaging system with SMS integration, email notifications, and chat. Multiple SMS provider support keeps your team connected.
ICS Forms
Built-in Incident Command System forms (ICS 202, 205, 205a, 213, 213RR, 214) for NIMS-compliant incident documentation. Ready for mutual aid and EOC operations.
Mobile Interface
A dedicated mobile-responsive interface lets field responders update status, view incident details, and communicate from smartphones and tablets.
Personnel Management
Track member certifications, training records, capabilities, and contact information. Manage equipment and vehicle inventories.
Reporting & Analytics
Generate incident reports, call volume statistics, and performance charts. Export data for NFIRS reporting or organizational analysis.
APRS Integration
Integration with the Automatic Packet Reporting System for tracking amateur radio operators and assets via radio-based GPS.
Weather Integration
Weather overlay on maps and weather alert monitoring to factor conditions into dispatch decisions.
Multi-Role Access Control
Seven access levels from Super Administrator to Guest ensure the right people see the right information with appropriate permissions.
How It Compares
| Feature | Tickets CAD | Commercial CAD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $100K - $2M+ |
| Annual fees | None | $20K - $200K+/year |
| Incident management | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive mapping | Yes (Leaflet/OSM) | Yes (Esri/proprietary) |
| Unit tracking / GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile access | Yes | Yes (often extra cost) |
| ICS forms | Yes | Sometimes |
| Messaging/SMS | Yes | Yes |
| APRS integration | Yes | Rare |
| Source code access | Yes - full source | No |
| Self-hosted option | Yes | Rarely |
| Vendor lock-in | None | Significant |
| Community support | Yes | Paid contracts only |
System Requirements
- Server: Any computer running Apache, PHP 7.4+, and MySQL/MariaDB
- Clients: Any modern web browser
- Network: LAN or internet connectivity
- Cost: Can run on hardware as modest as a Raspberry Pi or a $5/month VPS
Getting Started
- Download from https://github.com/openises/tickets
- Install on any Apache/PHP/MySQL server (including WAMP, XAMPP, or Linux LAMP)
- Run the built-in installer
- Configure your organization's units, facilities, and incident types
- Start dispatching
Community
- GitHub: https://github.com/openises/tickets
- Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/open-source-cad
- License: Open Source (GPL)
The Bottom Line
When your budget is zero but your mission is critical, Tickets CAD delivers real dispatch capability. Volunteer fire departments protecting their communities, amateur radio operators providing emergency communications, and CERT teams responding to disasters all deserve professional tools. Tickets CAD makes that possible.
Free software. Real dispatch. Zero cost.
