Abstract: A communication server and a method of operating for distributing an application to a plurality of portable communication devices in response to a public safety event. The communication server includes an electronic processor that determines an incident area that geographically surrounds a location of the public safety event, and determines a desired number and desired roles of personnel to respond to the public safety event. The electronic processor also determines whether portable communication devices are located within the incident area. The electronic processor then automatically transmits the application to portable communication devices located within the incident area and associated with the desired roles of personnel until the application is installed on a number of portable communication devices that equals the desired number of personnel for each role.