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Web Responder: Google & ArcGIS Maps

Purpose Statement

This article explains how to use Google Maps and ArcGIS (RGIS) Maps within the Web Responder view. These mapping tools provide measurement, layer control, pre-plan visibility, and situational awareness to support response operations and planning.

Background Information

Web Responder mapping tools allow users to visualize incidents, units, addresses, pre-plan data, and geographic features using either Google Maps or ArcGIS Maps. While most functionality is shared between both map technologies, each includes unique capabilities that may better suit specific operational needs.

Common use cases include:

  • Measuring distances during response and planning

  • Toggling map layers for clarity

  • Viewing pre-plans and regional hazards

  • Switching between satellite, street, and terrain views

Prerequisites:

  • Access to the Responder module

  • User logged into the First Due web platform

Required Permissions

  • None

Video

Step-by-Step Guide (Google Maps)

 

1. Access Responder View

  • Select the Main Menu> Response> Responder View

 

 

 

2. Use the Measurement Tool

  • Select the Measurement icon, then select a starting point on the map

  • Select an ending point to calculate distance or add additional waypoints to extend the measurement

 

 

For additional options:

  • Select More Options

  • View:

    • Total distance

    • Segmented distance

    • Accumulative distance

  • Select Clear Measurement to remove measurements from the map

 

 

 

3. Manage Map Layers

  • Select Map Layers

  • Toggle visibility for:

    • Primary Addresses (parent addresses)

    • Secondary Addresses (suites, apartments, sub-addresses)

    • Address Tags (yellow address labels on the map)

    • Incident Icons

    • Units

    • Pre-Planned Units (Knox Box Icons, HAZMATS, FDCs Etc)

    • Traffic (Based on Google Traffic Feed)

    • Fire Stations

    • Hydrants

    • Annotations (drawing made on the map for Pre-Plans)

 

 

Filtering Options

  • Filter Units by:

    • Unit type

    • Agency

  • Select Reset to show all units again

 

 

 

Pre-Planned Unit Filtering

  • Open the filter

  • Search for a specific item (e.g., FDC)

  • Select the item to display only matching pre-plan units

  • Select Reset to restore all pre-planned units

 

 

 

4. Use Regional Pre-Planning Layers

  • Select Regional Pre-Planning

  • Choose a layer from:

    • My Department

    • Neighboring departments (if data sharing is enabled)

  • Select the layer to display it on the map

  • Select the layer again to turn it off

 

 

5. View Google Points of Interest (Google Maps Only)

  • Select the Flag icon

  • Toggle Google Points of Interest on or off

 

 

 

6. Center the Map on Device Location

  • Select the Crosshair icon

  • The map centers on:

    • The device’s current location, or

    • The last known location if GPS is unavailable

 

 

 

7. Google Pegman (Google Maps Only)

  • Select Google Pegman to view Street View areas & zoom in or out and pan around the map

 

 

8. Map Zoom Controls

  • Zoom in and out of the map as desired. Zoom level is displayed while hovering over controls.

  •  

 

 

9. Google Map Selector (Google Maps Only)

  • Toggle between Map View and Satellite View  (Google Maps Only)

 

 

 

10. Pre-Plan Levels

  • Select different Pre-Plan Levels as needed

 

 

8. Use Tilt View (Google Maps Only)

  • Select the Tilt View icon

  • View the map in 3D with a 360° perspective

  • Rotate around buildings or terrain

  • Select Tilt View again to return to 2D

 

Step-by-Step Guide (Google Maps)

 

🚨
Critical Alert:

All features shared between Google Maps and ArcGIS Maps will behave the same with the exception of those features outlined below. 

The following Google Features are not available in ArcGIS:

  • Google Points of Interest

  • Google Pegman

  • Tilt View

The following features are only available in ArcGIS:

  • Specific default ArcGIS Base Maps

  • Any Custom Base Maps added by administrators

  • Information Icon/ Legend for ArcGIS Map

 

1. Switch to ArcGIS (RGIS) Maps

  • Select ArcGIS from the map options

 

 

 

2. Measurement Tool (ArcGIS)

  • Select Measurement then select New Measurement

  • Select a starting point, add waypoints, then select an ending point

Notes:

  • ArcGIS measures total distance only

  • Unit of measurement can be changed using the dropdown

  • Select the measurement tool again to clear

 

 

 

11. Use ArcGIS Base Maps

  • Select Base Maps

  • Choose from available options:

    • Satellite

    • Streets

    • OpenStreetMap

    • Topographic

    • Terrain with labels

 

 

 

12. Manage ArcGIS Layers

  • Select Manage Base Maps

  • Add additional ArcGIS layers such as:

    • Trails

    • Hydrants and water mains

    • Underground utilities

    • Helicopter landing zones

ℹ️

Info:

Some ArcGIS layers are open source, while others require a subscription.

For more information, reference Pre-Plans – Managing ArcGIS Layers.

 

Best Practices

Do’s

  • Use measurement tools for planning and distance estimation

  • Filter layers to reduce map clutter during operations

  • Use regional pre-plans for large-scale or area-based hazards

Don’ts

  • Do not rely on a single map type for all scenarios

  • Avoid enabling unnecessary layers during active incidents

Tips & Recommendations

  • Use Google Maps for navigation and 3D visualization

  • Use ArcGIS for custom layers and specialized geographic data

  • Coordinate ArcGIS layer management with administrators

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why don’t I see certain map layers?
A: Layer visibility depends on permissions and department configuration.

Q: Why can’t I see segmented distance in ArcGIS?
A: ArcGIS supports total distance measurement only.

Q: Why are some ArcGIS layers unavailable?
A: Some layers require administrator setup or third-party subscriptions.