Does Command Established Work Without Cell Service?
Yes. Once you install Command Established on your phone, it works without cell service. Your department's data is saved directly on your device so you can pull it up anytime — even in areas with no signal at all.
How It Works
Command Established is what's called a progressive web app (PWA). That means you can install it to your phone's home screen and use it just like any other app. No app store required — it works on iPhones, Androids, tablets, and laptops.
Once installed, the app itself loads instantly, even with no connection. And it automatically saves your department's data to your device every time you use it while connected.
What You Can Access Without Service
When you open the app with no signal, you'll see real data from the last time the app synced — not a loading screen.
The following data is automatically saved to your device every time you open the app while connected — no extra steps needed:
- Pre-incident plans — building layouts, hazard notes, and tactical information (see below for how to control which plans are kept offline)
- Apparatus details — equipment lists, pump capacities, and tank sizes
- Personnel rosters — names, certifications, and contact numbers
- Station information — addresses and details for all your stations
- SOPs and policies — your department's standard operating procedures
Other sections — like hydrant locations, inventory, inspection locations, certifications, and training records — are also saved to your device when you visit them. If you browse through those sections while on Wi-Fi, they'll be there when you lose service too.
A banner at the top of the screen lets you know when you're viewing cached data, so there's never any confusion about whether you're online or offline.
Keeping Pre-Plans Ready Offline
The app automatically caches your highest-risk pre-plans, but you can also mark specific plans to always be kept offline. Open any pre-plan, tap the menu, and choose "Keep available offline." That plan will then download its photos, a map snapshot, and nearby hydrant locations directly to your device — so you get the full picture even without service.
Plans marked this way show a badge so you can tell at a glance which ones are pinned for offline use. You can toggle it off the same way if you no longer need a plan kept on your device.
What Needs a Connection
Offline mode is read-only. You can look up anything that's been cached, but to create new records, submit incident reports, or load new map tiles, you'll need a connection. Interactive maps also require service to load.
Keeping Your Data Fresh
The app syncs automatically whenever you have Wi-Fi or cell service. The simplest way to keep your data current is to open the app at the station while you're on Wi-Fi. That's it — everything updates in the background.
Pre-plans stay cached on your device for up to 14 days. If you open the app at least once every couple of weeks while connected, your offline data will always be ready when you need it.
Getting Started
If you haven't installed the app to your home screen yet, follow our step-by-step install guide. Once it's installed, open it on Wi-Fi and your data will start caching automatically.
For a deeper look at how offline mode works under the hood, see Your Data When You Need It.