CAD & MDT for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

A CAD (computer-aided dispatch) is the dispatcher's system for taking calls, assigning units and tracking them. An MDT (mobile data terminal) is the officer's screen for receiving those calls, running names and plates, and writing reports. A FiveM server wants both, and most roleplay CADs, CDE CAD included, ship them as one system working from the same records.

What Is a CAD System?

CAD stands for Computer Aided Dispatch. In the real world, CAD systems are used by 911 centers and emergency dispatch agencies to manage incoming emergency calls, track available units, and coordinate responses. In short, a CAD system is the central hub that connects people calling for help with the officers, paramedics, and firefighters who respond. Wikipedia's article on computer-aided dispatch covers how the real systems work, and roleplay CADs copy that model.

In roleplay, a CAD system serves the same purpose. When a civilian dials 911 in-game, the call goes to the CAD system where dispatchers can see it, create an incident, and assign officers to respond. The CAD tracks which units are available, which are busy, and what calls are pending throughout the entire shift.

Think of the CAD as the dispatch center's view of the world. Dispatchers see all active calls, all available units, and can coordinate responses across multiple incidents simultaneously. Without a CAD system, dispatch operations rely on memory, notes, and radio communication alone, which becomes chaotic as activity increases.

What Is an MDT?

MDT stands for Mobile Data Terminal. In the real world, this is the computer mounted in police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. The MDT explained in simple terms is the officer's personal interface to the central system. While the CAD is what dispatch uses, the MDT is what field units use.

Through the MDT, officers can run names to check for warrants, run license plates to verify vehicle registration, write reports, check for BOLOs (Be On the Lookout notices), and update their status. The MDT connects to the same database as the CAD, so when dispatch enters new information, officers see it on their MDT, and vice versa.

In the roleplay CAD MDT context, the MDT is typically a web page that officers have open alongside their game. CDE CAD's MDT is designed to be clean and fast, so officers can quickly run lookups during traffic stops without disrupting the flow of roleplay.

How CAD and MDT Work Together

The CAD and MDT are two sides of the same system. They share a central database and communicate in real time. Understanding how they interact is key to understanding what a CAD MDT system does for a roleplay community.

Call Flow

A 911 call comes in. Dispatch creates the call in the CAD. The call appears on officer MDTs. An officer accepts the call or dispatch assigns it. Status updates flow back to the CAD in real time.

Records Sharing

When an officer files a report through the MDT, that report is stored in the central database. Dispatch, supervisors, and other officers can access it through their own interfaces. One database, many views.

Status Sync

When an officer marks themselves available on their MDT, dispatch sees the status change immediately in the CAD. This real-time synchronization keeps everyone on the same page.

Instant Lookups

Officers run lookups on the MDT. The results come from the same database that dispatch and records management use. Every lookup returns the most current data available in the system.

Who Uses What?

Different roles in your roleplay community interact with different parts of the CAD MDT system. Understanding who uses what helps beginners find their place in the system quickly.

Common Terminology

As a CAD MDT beginner, you will encounter specific terminology that may be unfamiliar. Here are the most common terms you need to know when getting started with a roleplay CAD MDT system like CDE CAD.

BOLO stands for Be On the Lookout. It is an alert that goes out to all units about a person, vehicle, or situation that requires attention. BOLOs persist in the system until they are resolved.

10-codes are numeric codes used to communicate common messages quickly over radio. For example, 10-4 means acknowledged, 10-8 means in service, and 10-7 means out of service. Many communities use plain language instead or in addition to 10-codes.

Signal codes or call types classify the nature of an incident. A Signal 4 might be a traffic accident, while a Signal 7 might be a robbery. These vary by community but CDE CAD lets you define your own.

"Every expert was once a beginner. The terminology feels overwhelming at first, but after a few shifts using the CAD and MDT, it becomes second nature. CDE CAD makes the learning curve as gentle as possible."