Purpose Statement
The Pre-Planning module in First Due allows users to add, configure, and manage pre-plan units directly within an occupancy's pre-plan.
This functionality enables departments to document important equipment, building features, and other occupancy-specific information. Users can customize unit details, assign pre-plan levels, configure map visibility, and attach supporting images to provide responders with accurate information during emergency operations.
Background Information
Pre-plan units are map-based icons used to identify equipment, features, and other important information associated with an occupancy.
Units can be added to a pre-plan using two methods:
Right-Side Map Tools: Drag and drop a unit directly onto the pre-plan map.
Left-Side Menu: Create and configure a unit before placing it on the map from the Unmapped Items list.
Once added, users can manage unit information using several configuration options:
Unit Type: Select the appropriate unit from the available list.
Pre-Plan Levels: Assign a unit to one or more pre-plan levels.
Last Test Date: Document when the unit was last tested.
Description: Add relevant information about the unit.
Visible Zoom Levels: Determine when the unit appears as users zoom in or out on the map.
Expiration Settings: Configure an expiration date when applicable.
Images: Attach supporting images to provide additional information.
Users can also resize, edit, clone, or delete unit tiles after they have been added to the map.
Required Permissions
Users must have the appropriate First Due permissions to access and modify pre-plans.
The specific permission names required to add, edit, or delete pre-plan units were not identified in the training transcript and should be verified against the current First Due permissions configuration.
Contact your department's First Due administrator if you cannot access the Pre-Planning module or modify pre-plan information.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Navigate to the Pre-Plans Map
1. Click the First Due logo in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Scroll down and select Pre-Planning from the navigation menu.
3. Click Pre-Plans Map.
Note: From the Pre-Plans Map, you can create a new pre-plan or access an existing pre-plan by selecting an occupancy icon on the map.
Step 2: Access a Pre-Plan
1. From the Pre-Plans Map, locate the occupancy you want to modify.
2. Click the existing Occupancy Icon on the map.
3. Select Access Pre-Plan.
Note: If you are creating a new pre-plan, you can add units after accessing the newly created pre-plan.
Step 3: Add a Pre-Plan Unit Using the Right-Side Map Tools
1. Within the pre-plan, locate the Plus (+) icon on the right side of the map.
2. Click the Plus (+) icon to display the available unit types.
3. Locate the desired unit using either of the following methods:
Scroll through the available unit types.
Enter the unit type in the Search Bar to narrow the results.
4. Click and hold the unit you want to add.
5. Drag the unit onto the desired location on the map.
6. Release the mouse button to place the unit.
Note: Once the unit is placed on the map, it will also appear in the left-side menu, where it can be edited or deleted.
Step 4: Access Unit Management Options
1. Locate the unit tile you want to modify on the map.
2. Click the Unit Tile to display the available management options.
3. Select the desired action:
Resize: Change the size of the unit tile displayed on the map.
Edit: Modify the unit's information and configuration settings.
Clone: Create a duplicate of the unit tile.
Delete: Remove the unit tile from the pre-plan.
Important: Cloning a unit duplicates only the tile itself. The information stored within the original unit is not copied.
Note: Units can also be edited or deleted from the left-side menu.
Step 5: Edit Unit Information
1. Click the unit tile on the map.
2. Select Edit to open the unit editing menu on the left side of the screen.
3. Locate the Unit Type field.
4. Select the appropriate unit type from the available list.
5. Locate the Pre-Plan Levels dropdown.
6. Select the pre-plan level or levels where the unit should appear.
- The Pre-Plan Levels field supports multiple selections.
7. Enter the Last Test Date, if applicable.
8. Enter a Description containing relevant information about the unit.
9. Locate the Visible Zoom Level setting.
10. Select the zoom level at which the unit should become visible on the map.
11. If applicable, configure the unit's Expiration settings.
12. Add any supporting images.
13. Click Save to save the unit and its associated information.
Note: Selecting multiple pre-plan levels allows the unit to be associated with more than one level of the occupancy.
Step 6: Add and Manage Unit Images
1. Within the unit editing menu, locate the image attachment section.
2. Add the applicable image or images.
3. Once an image has been added, use the available controls to manage it:
Eye Icon: View the attached image.
Trash Can Icon: Remove the attached image.
4. Verify that the necessary images have been added.
5. Click Save to retain the unit information and image attachments.
Step 7: Add a Pre-Plan Unit Using the Left-Side Menu
1. Within the pre-plan, locate the Units tab, identified by the Plus (+) inside a circle, on the left side of the screen.
2. Click the Units tab.
3. Select Add.
4. Click the Unit Type field.
5. Locate the desired unit using either of the following methods:
Scroll through the dropdown list.
Enter the unit type in the Search Bar to narrow the results.
6. Select the appropriate unit type.
7. Complete the applicable unit information, including:
Pre-Plan Levels
Last Test Date
Description
Visible Zoom Level
Expiration Settings
Supporting Images
8. Click Save.
Note: Units created through the left-side menu are automatically placed in the Unmapped Items list rather than directly on the map.
Step 8: Place an Unmapped Unit on the Map
1. Locate the Unmapped Items box in the lower-left corner of the screen.
2. Find the unit you want to place on the map.
3. Click and hold the unit tile.
4. Drag the tile to the desired location on the map.
5. Release the mouse button to place the unit.
Note: Units added through the left-side menu must be manually positioned on the map if map placement is required.
Best Practices
- Use Accurate Unit Types: Select the appropriate unit type to ensure responders can easily identify the equipment or feature represented.
- Place Units Correctly: Position unit tiles at their actual locations within the occupancy to support accurate pre-plan information.
- Use Pre-Plan Levels Appropriately: Assign units to the correct levels of the occupancy. Use multiple selections when a unit needs to be associated with more than one level.
- Document Last Test Dates: Record applicable testing dates to help maintain accurate equipment information.
- Include Descriptions: Add clear, relevant descriptions to provide responders with additional context about the unit.
- Configure Appropriate Zoom Levels: Select Visible Zoom Levels that allow units to appear at useful map scales without overcrowding the map.
- Use Expiration Settings When Applicable: Configure expiration dates for units that may require future review or removal.
- Attach Supporting Images: Include images when they help identify equipment, locations, or other important unit details.
- Verify Cloned Units: Remember that cloning duplicates only the tile. Any required information must be entered separately.
- Follow Department SOPs and SOGs: Ensure unit documentation and configuration settings align with departmental requirements.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is my newly created unit not appearing on the map?
If the unit was created using the left-side menu, it will initially appear in the Unmapped Items box. Locate the unit and drag it onto the desired map location.
What is the difference between adding units from the left and right sides of the map?
The right-side tools allow users to drag and drop units directly onto the map. The left-side menu allows users to create and configure units before placing them on the map from the Unmapped Items list.
Can I search for a specific unit type?
Yes. Both the right-side map tools and the left-side Unit Type dropdown include a search bar that allows users to narrow the available unit types.
Can I assign a unit to multiple pre-plan levels?
Yes. The Pre-Plan Levels dropdown supports multiple selections, allowing a unit to be associated with more than one level.
Can I resize a unit after placing it on the map?
Yes. Click the unit tile and select the option to change its size.
Does cloning a unit duplicate its information?
No. Cloning duplicates only the unit tile. The information stored within the original unit is not copied.
Can I add a last test date to a unit?
Yes. The unit editing menu includes a Last Test Date field where applicable testing information can be entered.
Can I attach images to a pre-plan unit?
Yes. Images can be added through the unit editing menu. Use the Eye Icon to view an image or the Trash Can Icon to remove it.
Why is a unit not visible at certain zoom levels?
The Visible Zoom Level setting determines when the unit appears on the map. Edit the unit and verify that the selected zoom level is appropriate.
Can I delete a unit from the left-side menu?
Yes. Units can be edited or deleted using the available options in the left-side menu.
Where can I find units that have not been placed on the map?
Units that have been created but not positioned on the map can be found in the Unmapped Items box in the lower-left corner of the screen.