API to First Arriving - Getting Started

Modified on Tue, 28 Jul at 9:52 PM

Developer Guide

Sending data to First Arriving via API

If your CAD or another system can make outbound HTTP requests, you can push alarm data straight to your dashboards. We create an endpoint for your agency and issue you a token — you send us JSON when something happens.

How it works

The basics

A RESTful API accepting POST or PUT requests with a JSON payload
We create an endpoint specific to your agency, based on the integration
We issue you a bearer token to send in the Authorization header

Example: real-time alarm

Your endpoint URL and token come from us — the host below is a placeholder.

POST (or PUT): https://your-agency-endpoint.example/endpoint
Content-Type: application/json
Accept: application/json
Authorization: Bearer {token}

{
  "alert": {
    "id": "123456789",
    "time": 1594926045,
    "alarm": {
      "details": "SAMPLE ALARM DATA",
      "units": "E123,A321,PE123,TGA9",
      "state": "VA",
      "description": "TEST TEST TEST",
      "city": "Ashland",
      "received": "1594926045",
      "lng": -78.4385454,
      "address": "9555 Kings Charter Drive",
      "lat": 37.6920731
    }
  },
  "agency": {
    "name": "FIRST ARRIVING",
    "timezone": "America/New_York",
    "id": 12345
  }
}

Other ways to send us data

The API is one route of several. Unit status via XML or CSV file drop, parsed email alerts, direct CAD feeds, and partner integrations are all covered in CAD Integration & Dispatch Data, along with the questions worth asking your CAD vendor before you begin.

How to get started

Open a ticket at our support center or email dashboards@firstarriving.com and tell us what system will be sending the data and what you want displayed. We will set up your endpoint and get you a token.

Questions about the payload, or want us to look at a sample of what your system can send? Open a ticket at our support center or reach us at dashboards@firstarriving.com.