Purpose Statement

The Android First Due Mobile App Settings allow users to customize their mobile application experience to optimize response efficiency and personal preferences. This feature enables responders to configure alert tones, notification behaviors, map display options, and location sharing settings to ensure the app works best for their operational needs and department protocols.

Background Information

Just as responders prepare their gear at the beginning of each duty shift, the app settings menu provides the tools to customize the First Due Responder app for optimal performance. These settings control critical functions including alert notifications, incident list management, map display preferences, and firefighter tracking capabilities.

Important Note: Due to different client deployments and individual permissions, some options may not be available for every user. Available settings depend on your department's configuration and your assigned user role.

Required Permissions

To access and modify app settings, users need:

Basic mobile app access (all field users have this by default)
Specific settings may require additional permissions based on department configuration
Firefighter tracking settings require location services enabled on the device

Note: Contact your system administrator if you cannot access certain settings mentioned in this guide.

Video

Directions

1. From Menu, select App Settings.

2. Alert Ringtone - This is where the user selects the ringtone they would like to sound for alerts.

a. First select, Alert Ringtone

b. To specify one ringtone for all incident types, enable the toggle in line with "Apply to all"

c. Select the ringtone by tapping on the current tone.

d. Select a ringtone for a sample of the tone. When satisfied, choose the devices "Back" button.

e. To have a different ringtone for each incident type, disable to toggle in line with "Apply to all" and the incident types will show along with the ringtone associated with that incident type.

f. Select the current ringtone and follow the instructions in Step D above to specify a particular ringtone.

3. Notifications - With the toggle on, the user is alerted as normal. When the toggle is turned off, the user can silence alerts "Permanently" or a "Select Date" to set when alerts will be automatically turned back on.

4. Always Play Sound - When selected, whether the app is open or closed, the alert tones will sound. When deselected, the alert tone will only sound if the app is not active.

5. Notifications Volume - This controls the volume of the alerts.

6. Screen Timeout - This setting allows the user to have an extended Screen Timeout time if working within First Due. Depending on what the operating system allows, this may override the device settings and extend the time until the device times out.

7. Dispatch Persistence Time - If Dispatch Persistence Time is deselected, incidents will drop off the incident list in 24 hours. If you enable Dispatch Persistence Time, a line item for "Store Dispatches For" populates allowing the user to decide how long dispatch notifications are displayed on the incident list. This is regardless of if the incident is open or closed.

TIP: If your jurisdiction has incidents that are open more than 24 hours (vegetation fires, stand-bys, etc), you will want to set this appropriately.

8. Repeat Alerts - When selected, the alert will repeat every minute until the dispatch is opened. When deactivated, the alert will sound once.

9. Open on Incident List - When selected, the incident list will display when the app is opened. When deactivated, the map will display.

10. Show closed dispatches on incident list - When selected, both open and closed incidents will show on the incident list. When deactivated, if the CAD connection allows, closed calls disappear from the list.

11. Show all incidents on map - When selected, all icons for all incidents in the incident list will show on the map. When deactivated, only the icons for the alerted incidents will display on the map.

12. Zoom Level Settings - Where the user can select the zoom level specific map layers appear. Simply drag the icon to the zoom level you wish it to appear on the map within the app and the items will show at that zoom level and levels more zoomed in. The user also has the ability to toggle Always Show Dispatches on to be able to see dispatches at all zoom levels, or off to populate the Bell on the chart and control the zoom level the dispatch icons appear and disappear.

NOTE: If the user places an icon in each of the three columns of a zoom level, a new row will appear at that same zoom level.

a. Secondary Addresses
b. Primary Addresses
c. Preplan Items
d. Hydrants
e. Dispatch Icons
f. Toggle where, when selected, dispatch icons become visible at all zoom levels

13. Icon Size - Allows the user to change the size of the occupancy markers and preplan icons with the "Near places and preplan marker size" slider and the size of the hydrants with the "Hydrants marker size" slider.

14. Auto Centering Timing - Defines the cadence of how often the map automatically returns to the users location. Choices are Manual and between 10 seconds and 60 seconds.

15. Allow FDSU to retrieve usage information - This allows First Due to collect usage info to better understand how the user interacts with the app and helps First Due make changes to the app to make it function better.

16. Default Station - Enables the user to set the default station that they are responding to when they select the "To Station" status. If "None" is selected, the user will be prompted for the station they are responding to.

17. Autoroute to call - When active, the map screen will display the "Calculate Route" screen when the user selects the "To Scene" status.

18. Share My Location - If the jurisdiction is using the Firefighter Tracking functionality, this option allows the user to control how long they allow their location to be shared after they status "To Station" or "To Scene". If the toggle is off, the user doesn't not permit sharing, if the toggle is on, an option for "Stop sharing my location after" populates on the next line.

Best Practices

Do's

Do test different alert tones to find one easily distinguishable in noisy environments
Do set different alert tones for different incident types if your department responds to multiple call categories
Do configure notification volume loud enough to hear during sleep cycles but appropriate for public settings
Do enable "Always Play Sound" if you frequently have the app open and need to hear new alerts
Do adjust dispatch persistent time based on your operational review needs
Do customize zoom levels based on your response area's density and your visual preferences
Do enable location sharing if your department uses firefighter tracking for accountability
Do set a default station if you consistently respond from the same location
Do periodically review and update settings as your operational needs change
Do adjust screen timeout to balance battery life with information accessibility

Don'ts

Don't disable notifications permanently without setting a re-enable date unless intentional
Don't set notification volume too low to hear during critical times
Don't place too many icons at the highest zoom levels, which can clutter the map view
Don't disable repeat alerts if you're a heavy sleeper on shift
Don't share your location if you're uncomfortable with tracking or not on active duty
Don't forget that device-level settings can override app settings in some cases
Don't assume all settings are available - permissions and deployment configurations vary

Tips & Recommendations

Icon Size Balance: Larger icons are easier to see but can create visual clutter - find your optimal balance
Battery Conservation: Disable auto-centering or reduce its frequency to conserve battery life on long shifts
Notification Testing: After configuring settings, have dispatch send a test alert to verify your configuration
Location Sharing Duration: Match sharing duration to your typical incident timeframes to maintain privacy while ensuring accountability
Closed Dispatch Management: If your incident list becomes cluttered, adjust dispatch persistent time or hide closed dispatches
Map Customization: Customize zoom levels based on your response area - urban areas may need different settings than rural
Route Automation: Enable "Route to Call" if you frequently navigate to unfamiliar locations
Regular Review: Review settings quarterly or after any major app updates

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I'm not receiving alert notifications even though they're enabled in the app. What should I check?
A: Verify notifications are enabled at three levels: 1) In the First Due app settings, 2) In your device's system settings for the First Due app, and 3) Ensure Do Not Disturb mode isn't blocking notifications. Also check that notification volume is set appropriately.

Q: Why can't I see some settings mentioned in this guide?
A: Settings availability depends on your department's deployment configuration and your individual user permissions. Contact your system administrator if you need access to specific features.

Q: My alert tone plays when I'm already looking at a dispatch. How do I stop this?
A: Disable the "Always Play Sound" toggle. This will suppress alert tones when you're actively interacting with the app.

Q: The map shows too many icons and it's cluttered. What should I do?
A: Adjust your zoom level settings to display items only at closer zoom levels. You can also reduce icon sizes or toggle off "Show All Incidents on Map" to display only alerted incidents.

Q: How do I stop location sharing temporarily without changing my settings?
A: If location sharing is enabled and active, you can manually stop sharing through the firefighter tracking interface during an incident. However, it will resume on your next status change unless you modify the setting.

Q: Dispatches are disappearing from my incident list too quickly. How do I keep them longer?
A: Enable the Dispatch Persistent Time toggle and select a longer retention period (up to 1 month depending on your system configuration).

Q: My screen keeps timing out while I'm reviewing incident information. What can I do?
A: Increase the Screen Timeout setting in app settings. Remember that whichever timeout is longer (app or device setting) will take precedence.

Q: Can I have different notification volumes for different incident types?
A: No, the notification volume setting applies to all incident types. However, you can set different alert tones for different incident types to help distinguish them audibly.

Q: What happens if I select a date to re-enable notifications but need them sooner?
A: You can manually re-enable notifications at any time by going back into App Settings and toggling notifications on, even before your scheduled date.

Q: Why does my map zoom to my location automatically?
A: This is the Auto Centering feature. You can adjust the frequency or disable it in the Auto Centering settings if you prefer manual map control.

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Knowledge Center

Mobile App (Android): App Settings