Purpose Statement
This article explains how to configure Menu App Settings within the First Due iOS Mobile Response App. These settings allow users to control alert behavior, notifications, map display options, and response workflows to support operational needs and personal preferences.
Background Information
Menu App Settings control how the First Due Mobile Response App behaves on an individual device. These settings affect alerting, map visibility, incident persistence, routing, and optional features such as firefighter tracking. While many settings are optional, proper configuration can improve efficiency and usability during emergency operations.
Required Permissions
- Admin>Allow mobile app sign in: Allows user to sign into the Mobile App
- Admin>Allow Offline Sign in: Allows user to sign into the Mobile App while Offline
- Admin>User Preferences – Update: User can access the App Settings within the First Due App
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access App Settings
Open the First Due iOS Mobile Response App
Select Menu> App Settings
2. Configure Alert Ringtone
Select Alert Ringtone to choose the tone used for dispatch alerts.
Select Apply to All to use the same ringtone for all dispatches or Disable Apply to All to assign different ringtones by incident type.
Tap an incident type to view available ringtones then select a ringtone to preview it. After selecting the ringtone, tap Back to save.
3. Manage Notifications
Select Notifications
Toggle notifications Off to permanently disable alerts
Choose Select Date to temporarily disable notifications. Then choose a date and time when notifications will automatically reenable
Toggle notifications On to restore alerts at any time
4. Configure Alert Sound Behavior
Enable Always Play Sound
Alert tones play whether the app is open or closed
Disable Always Play Sound
Alert tones play only when the app is not active
5. Adjust Critical Alerts Notification Volume
Select Critical Alerts Notification Volume
Adjust the volume slider as needed
Important Note:
This option is available only if Critical Alerts are enabled in the iOS device app settings.
6. Adjust Screen Timeout
Select Screen Timeout then Select how long the device screen remains active while the app is open.
7. Configure Dispatch Persistence Time
Select Dispatch Persistence Time
Disable to automatically remove incidents after 24 hours even if they are still open.
Enable to define how long open incidents remain visible by choose a duration from 1 day (default) up to 1 month
Important Note:
In the off position, incident will stay on the list for 24 hours, unless the incident is closed or cleared by Dispatch. If your jurisdiction has incidents that are open more than 24 hours (vegetation fires, stand-bys, etc.), this should be set to the on position and a timeframe selected.
8. Configure Repeat Alerts
Enable Repeat Alerts to repeat alerts every minute until the incident is opened or acknowledged
Disabled to plays the alert only once
9. Set Default Opening Screen
Enable Open on Incident List to open the app to the incident list
Disable to open the app to the map view
10. Show Closed Dispatches on Incident List
Enable Show Closed Dispatches to display closed incidents
Disable to remove closed incidents from the list (if supported by CAD)
11. Configure Incident Visibility on the Map
Enable Show All Incidents on Map to display all incidents
Disable to show only alerted incidents
12. Select Quick Routing Map
Select Quick Routing Map
Choose which navigation app opens for routing:
Apple Maps
Google Maps
Important Note:
If Google Maps is selected but not installed, the web version opens in Safari. Installing the Google Maps app is recommended.
13. Configure Zoom Level Settings
Zoom level settings control when map layers appear as users zoom in.
Hydrant icon: controls hydrant visibility
Bell icon: controls incident visibility
Map icon: controls pre-plan items (NOX boxes, alarm panels, annotations, drawings, text)
Location icon (1): primary addresses
Location icon (2): secondary or child addresses
To adjust visibility:
Drag each icon to the desired zoom level. Items appear at that zoom level and closer
Important Note:
Primary addresses must have equal or higher visibility than secondary addresses
Secondary addresses cannot be set higher than primary addresses
Always Show Dispatches at Bottom removes the bell icon
14. Configure Auto Centering
Select Auto Centering & Choose how frequently the map recenters on your location
Tip:
Leave set to Manual to avoid disruption during emergency operations.
15. Offline Map Settings
Select Offline Map Settings. Offline maps ensure continued access if cellular data becomes unavailable
Download street maps to have offline maps for your Jurisdiction & any data sharing partners
Upload Client Data to display the following items in Offline mode:
Occupancies
Hydrants
Pre-plans
Regional pre-plans
Important Note:
Offline maps should be routinely updated to ensure that the latest information is accessible should network connections issues arise.
16. Incident Status Buttons & Firefighter Tracking
These settings appear only if enabled by your department for firefighter or Unit Statusing.
Default Station
Select a default station for To Station status, If not selected, the user is prompted each time
Auto In Route to Call
Automatically opens the route calculation screen when To Scene is selected
Share My Location
Enable to allow firefighter tracking then choose how long location is shared after changing to To Station or To Scene
Disable to prevent location sharing
Info:
This is the only time First Due tracks a user, and it is always user-controlled.
Best Practices
Do’s
Customize alert tones for clarity and urgency
Use dispatch persistence for long-duration incidents
Download offline maps for response reliability
Don’ts
Do not enable auto-centering if it interferes with map navigation
Do not overload zoom levels with excessive map layers
Tips & Recommendations
Review app settings after major updates
Align alert behavior with department SOPs
Train users on zoom-level controls for better map usability
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why don’t I see the Critical Alerts volume option?
A: Critical Alerts must be enabled in the iOS device app settings.
Q: Why did an incident disappear from the incident list?
A: Dispatch Persistence Time may be disabled, causing incidents to drop off after 24 hours.
Q: Can I turn off location sharing?
A: Yes. Location sharing is optional and fully user-controlled.