Purpose Statement

The Map Section within the Command Module provides incident commanders and command board users with a centralized visual workspace for managing resources, viewing pre-plan information, placing annotations, and controlling map visibility settings during an incident.

This feature helps users maintain situational awareness, organize incident resources, identify hazards, and visualize operational assignments directly on an interactive map.

Background Information

The Map Section is divided into four primary subsections:

1. Command Resources
2. Pre-Plan Information
3. Annotations
4. Visibility Settings

These tools allow command personnel to manage divisions, assignments, units, personnel, occupancy pre-plan information, and map-based annotations from a single interface. The map supports both Google Maps and ArcGIS map layers, although some features are only available when using Google Maps.

Required Permissions

Users must have access to the Command Module and the ability to access and interact with an active Command Board.

Additional permissions may be required depending on your agency's configuration, including:

• Access to the Command Module
• Command Board management permissions
• Permission to create and edit assignments
• Permission to manage units and personnel
• Permission to view occupancy pre-plans

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open the Map Section

• Open the active Command Board.
• Select the Map tab from the Command Board navigation menu.
• Use the expand/collapse button to show or hide the side panel as needed.

Command Resources

2. Manage Divisions

• Within Command Resources Navigate to Divisions.

• Locate existing divisions listed from the command template or user-created divisions.
• Drag a division onto the map to place it.
• Move the division icon as needed.

• Select the Eye icon to temporarily hide the division.

• Select Delete and then the Trash Can icon to remove the division from the map.

3. Manage Assignments

• Navigate to the Assignments section.

• Expand assignments to view assigned units and personnel.

• To add or create an assignment, Select the Plus (+) icon & then choose Assignment.

• Assign the assignment to a division or floor.
• Search for an existing assignment or create a custom assignment.
• Select Create.

• Drag the assignment onto the map and reposition as desired

• Use the Eye icon to hide the assignment or the Trash Can icon to remove it from the map.

• Use division filters to display assignments by specific divisions.

4. Manage Unassigned Units

• Select the Units slider under Unassigned Resources.
• Review all units not currently assigned.

• Select the Plus (+) icon to add a unit.
• Search for an existing unit or create a new unit.

• Drag the unit onto the map and reposition as desired

• Use the Eye icon to hide the unit.

• Use the Trash Can icon to remove the unit from the map.

5. Manage Unassigned Personnel

• Select the Personnel slider.
• Review all Personnel not currently assigned.

• Select the Plus (+) icon.
• Choose personnel from the available system users list.
• Optionally assign personnel to a specific unit.
• Leave the unit field blank to keep personnel unassigned.
• Select Save.

• Drag personnel onto the map & reposition personnel as needed.

• Use the Eye icon to hide personnel .

• Use the Trash Can icon to remove personnel from the map.

6. View Pre-Plan Information

• Open the Pre-Plan section.
• Review occupancy information, including:
  • Matched occupancy address
  • Building stories (if configured)
  • Pre-plan alert tiles
• Select alert tiles to view additional details.
• Review available occupancy pre-plan information displayed on the map.

7. Add Pre-Plan Units to the Map

• Select a pre-plan unit from the available command pre-plan units.
• Choose a location on the map.
• Place the unit.
• Resize, move, or delete the unit as needed.

8. Create Annotations

Available annotation types include:

• Line
• Polygon
• Circle
• Square/Rectangle
• Text
• Measurement
• Arrow

To create an annotation:

• Select the desired annotation type.
• Place or draw the annotation on the map.
• Adjust the annotation as needed.
• Save the annotation.

All annotation styles use preconfigured colors, fills, and line widths established in Command Setup.

9. Edit Existing Annotations

• Locate the annotation in the Annotation list.
• Select the annotation.
• Move, resize, or modify the annotation.
• Select Save to apply changes.

10. Configure Map Display Options

Users can access additional map functionality including:

• Primary and secondary addresses    
• Map Layers including Regional pre-plan layers    
• Google Points of Interest    
• Street View (Pegman)    
• Zoom controls   
• Google Maps and ArcGIS map layer selection   

11. Configure Visibility Settings

• Open Visibility Settings.
• Show or hide:
  • Divisions
  • Assignments
  • Units
  • Personnel
  • All Command Resources

• Show or hide:
  • Pre-plan Units
  • Annotations

• Review the map legend for icon identification.

Best Practices

• Place divisions and assignments on the map early during incident setup.
• Use annotations to identify hazards, collapse zones, and operational boundaries.
• Standardize annotation usage across command staff for consistency.
• Utilize pre-plan information whenever occupancy data is available.
• Regularly review visibility settings to reduce map clutter.
• Use Google Maps when annotations or pre-plan unit placement is required.
• Verify command templates contain the appropriate pre-plan units before incidents occur.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why can't I place annotations on the map?

A: Annotations are only supported when using the Google Maps layer. If you are currently using ArcGIS, switch to Google Maps to create and edit annotations.

Q: Why are occupancy pre-plan units visible but not editable?

A: Occupancy pre-plan units associated with the incident address are displayed for reference purposes only and cannot be modified from the Command Board.

Q: Why can't I find a specific assignment when adding a new assignment?

A: Use the search feature within the assignment creation window. If the desired assignment is not available, you can create a custom assignment and add it to the incident.

Q: Why don't my visibility setting changes affect other users?

A: Visibility settings only affect your individual Command Board view. Other users will continue to see their own visibility settings and map configuration.

Q: How many command pre-plan units can be assigned to a command template?

A: A maximum of 25 command pre-plan units can be assigned to a Command Template within Command Setup.