Purpose Statement
Unit Tracking allows agencies to monitor the real-time location of unit devices within the First Due Mobile App and Web Responder. This feature provides situational awareness by displaying unit locations on the responder map, helping personnel identify where units are responding from, their position on an incident scene, and the location of personnel operating at remote incidents.
Important Note:
Note: Unit Tracking monitors the mobile device running the First Due app—not the vehicle or user itself. The tracked device displays the assigned Unit User currently logged into that device.
Background Information
Unit Tracking is designed to improve accountability and operational awareness by displaying active unit locations throughout your agency.
Key considerations include:
- Only mobile devices running the First Due Mobile App can be tracked.
- Web-based devices such as PCs, MDTs, and MDCs cannot be tracked.
- If a different Unit User logs into the same mobile device, the tracked unit changes to the newly logged-in user.
- Unit locations can be viewed from both the Mobile App and Web Responder.
- Unit locations update approximately every 7 seconds.
Before configuring Unit Tracking, your Client Success Manager (CSM) or Implementation Manager must enable the feature for your agency.
Required Permissions
To configure and use Unit Tracking, the following permissions are required:
- Admin Module Access
- User Management (edit users/units)
- Role Permissions Access
- Ability to modify role permissions
- Responder Map Permissions
- “Responder Map – Show Devices Layer” enabled
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Create a Unit User
- Navigate to Main Menu → Admin → Users.
- Select Add User or edit an existing user.
- Enter the required user information:
- Ensure that the Personnel Record Option is Turned Off
- Email Address (Required)
- Public Name (Required)
- Phone Number (optional)
- Enable the Unit User toggle.
- Select the appropriate Unit Subtype (for example, Ladder, Engine, Rescue, etc.).
Customize the Unit Icon (Optional)
The Standard Unit Icons are shown below:
Engine | Ladder | Rescue | Brush Truck | Tender/Tanker |
Ambulance | Chief's Vehicle | Hazmat | Command Unit | EMS Supervisor |
Safety Officer | Support Vehicle | Boat | Utility | Air Truck |
To replace the default unit icon:
- Ensure a Unit Subtype has been selected.
- Select Choose File & Upload a custom icon.
Info:
- Maximum size: 460 × 460 pixels
- Supported formats:
- PNG
- JPEG
- GIF
Assign User Role and Dispatch Settings
- Assign the appropriate Unit User Role.
Tip:
It is strongly recommended to create or utilize a role specifically created for Unit Users.
- Select the Dispatch Units the user should receive.
- Select the Dispatch Incident Types the user should be alerted to.
- Select Create.
Enable Unit Tracking Permission
Important Note:
The device that is logged into the Unit account that the First Due App is running on, whether a tablet or phone, is what is actually being tracked, not the apparatus itself. Viewing the tracked units can be accomplished on both the First Due application and on the web responder section of First Due, but only the app can be used for the tracked unit.
Minimum location trigger distance: 100 meters. - This is the minimum distance change in which a device will send a location update.
Device location frequency update: 10 second - This is the frequency in which a device will update the position.
Fetching others location: 15 seconds - This is the frequency in which app requests others location to see on the map.
Keep alive: 30s seconds - A recent introduced concept, that allows the device to keep updating the location when it's not moving, therefore, it will not show grayed out. This will work as well when app is in background.
To keep from seeing multiples of the same unit tracking icon on the map, only log into the Unit account on one device.
To allow Unit Tracking visibility within Web Responder:
- Navigate to Main Menu → Admin → Roles & Permissions.
- Locate the Unit User Role in the list or open the filter to search the list to find the Role to edit.
- Select the Pencil Icon to Edit.
- Open the Permissions tab.
Search for:
Responder Map Show Unit Tracking
- Enable the permission and Save the role.
View Tracked Units in Web Responder
- Navigate to the Responder Module and then Responder View.
- Select Show/Hide Layers & Enable Units.
- Select the Units icon.
The Units panel displays:
- Your department's tracked units
- Shared units from participating jurisdictions (if enabled)
Selecting a unit automatically centers the map on its current location.
Understand Unit Status Indicators
Unit locations refresh approximately every 7 seconds.
Status indicators include:
- Bold icon — Device has moved within the last 2 minutes
- Dim icon — Device has not moved for at least 2 minutes
Configure Mobile Device Location Services (iOS)
For reliable tracking, configure the mobile device to always allow location access.
On iOS:
- Select Settings
- Select Privacy & Security
- Select Location Services
- Ensure Location Services are turned on
- Scan down the list of apps and select First Due
- Select the frequency that you would like the "Unit" tracked. "Always" is highly recommended.
Configure Mobile Device Location Services (Android)
- Select Settings
- Select Location
- Select App Permissions
- Select First Due
- Select Allow only while using the app
View Tracked Units in the Mobile App
- Open the First Due Mobile App
- Select Layers & enable Responder Locations.
- Select Units from the bottom navigation.
Tracked units are grouped by department.
If your agency shares unit locations with neighboring jurisdictions, those agencies also appear in the list.
Selecting a unit:
- Centers the map on its location.
- Displays additional information, including:
- Current status
- Last location update
- Mobile operating system version
Best Practices
- Create a dedicated Unit User Role for all Unit Users.
- Configure mobile devices with Always Allow Location Access.
- Enable Precise Location for improved tracking accuracy.
- Assign appropriate Dispatch Units and Incident Types during setup.
- Use custom unit icons for easier identification on the responder map.
- Log into only one mobile device per Unit User to prevent duplicate unit locations.
- Regularly review Unit User permissions to ensure proper access.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Can Unit Tracking monitor desktop computers, MDTs, or MDCs?
A: No. Unit Tracking is only available on mobile devices running the First Due Mobile App. Web-based devices such as PCs, MDTs, and MDCs cannot be tracked. It can be Used with Cradlepoints
Q: How often are unit locations updated?
A: Unit locations are updated approximately every seven seconds.
Q: What does a bold unit icon indicate?
A: A bold unit icon indicates that the tracked device has changed location within the last two minutes.
Q: What does a dim unit icon indicate?
A: A dim unit icon indicates that the tracked device has not moved for at least two minutes.
Q: What happens if another Unit User logs into the same device?
A: The tracked device will display the newly logged-in Unit User, and the unit icon will follow that device.
Q: Can I view units from other jurisdictions?
A: Yes. If your department shares Unit Tracking information with other jurisdictions, those units will also appear in the Unit list on both the Web Responder and Mobile App.