Purpose Statement
The Unassigned Area of the Command Board allows users to manage units and personnel that are associated with an incident but are not currently assigned to a Command Staff position or assignment. This area serves as the staging location for resources before they are organized within the Command Board.
Background Information
The Unassigned Area is divided into two sections:
- Units – Displays all units associated with the incident that are not currently assigned.
- Personnel – Displays personnel who are not currently assigned to a unit or assignment within the Command Board.
Initially, the Unassigned Units list is populated with dispatched units received from CAD. As additional alarms, upgrades, or manually added resources occur, those units will also appear in this area.
Units dispatched through CAD may display different colors based on their CAD status. Newly dispatched units added through upgrades or additional alarms will temporarily flash yellow to notify Command Board users that new resources have been added to the incident.
Required Permissions
Users must have permissions that allow them to:
- Access the Command Board
- View and manage incident units
- Add, edit, and remove units
- Add, edit, move, and remove personnel
- Manage assignments and Command Staff positions
Important Note:
Available permissions may vary based on agency configuration and user role settings.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide (Units Area)
Add a Unit to the Command Board
- Select the Units section within the Unassigned Area.
- Select the + (Plus) icon.
- Search for a unit or scroll through the available list.
- Select the desired unit to add it to the incident.
To create a custom unit:
- Enter the desired unit name.
- Select Create.
- The new unit will appear in the Unassigned Units list and can be used throughout the Command Board.
Edit a Unit
- Select the unit name to open the unit menu.
- Choose Edit.
- Update the unit name or replace it with another unit from the available list.
- Save your changes.
Important Note:
Changes made through the Command Board do not affect CAD dispatch information or other incident records.
Clear a Unit from the Command Board
- Select the unit name to open the unit menu.
- Choose Clear Unit.
- Select Confirm.
Warning:
When a unit is cleared:
- The unit is removed from the Command Board only.
- The unit remains active in CAD and dispatch systems.
- Any personnel assigned to that unit are moved to the Unassigned Personnel area.
Duplicate a Unit
- Select the unit menu.
- Choose Duplicate Unit.
Duplicating a unit is useful when splitting crews between multiple assignments.
After duplication:
- Rename the units as needed.
- Move personnel between the original and duplicated units.
- Assign each unit independently within the Command Board.
Add a Note to a Unit
- Select the unit menu.
- Choose Add Note.
- Enter the note information.
- Select Create.
The note will appear within the unit's note section and will be recorded in the Command Board log.
Assign a Unit as Lead
- Place a unit into an assignment.
- Open the unit menu.
- Select Make Lead.
When designated as lead:
- A blue banner appears next to the unit.
- Only one unit within an assignment can be designated as the lead unit.
Step-by-Step Guide (Units Area)
Add Unassigned Personnel
- Select the Personnel section.
- Select the + (Plus) icon.
- Choose to add personnel from the complete personnel roster or available personnel list.
- Use filters to narrow the list as needed.
- Select the desired personnel.
- Select Save.
The selected personnel will appear in the Unassigned Personnel list.
Add Personnel to a Unit
- Select the + (Plus) icon from the Personnel section.
- Choose the desired unit from the unit dropdown list.
- Filter or search for personnel.
- Select the personnel to add.
- Select Save.
The selected personnel will now be associated with the chosen unit.
Move Personnel Between Units
- Drag and drop personnel from one unit to another.
- Drag personnel back to the Unassigned Personnel area when needed.
Important Note:
Personnel can only be added to a unit when the unit is associated with an assignment.
Personnel cannot be moved from a unit assigned to an incident assignment directly to an unassigned unit.
Delete Personnel from the Command Board
- Select the ellipses (...) menu next to the personnel record.
- Select Delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
Deleting personnel:
- Removes them from the Command Board only.
- Does not affect CAD, dispatch, or personnel system status.
- Cannot be performed while personnel are assigned within an assignment. Personnel must first be moved back to the Unassigned Personnel area.
Best Practices
- Monitor the Unassigned Units area for newly dispatched resources.
- Use custom units only when a needed resource is not available in the standard unit list.
- Add notes to units when assignment-specific information needs to be documented.
- Designate lead units within assignments to improve command visibility.
- Regularly review unassigned personnel to ensure resources are properly allocated.
- Use unit duplication when crews split responsibilities during large incidents.
- Verify personnel assignments before moving units into assignments.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why did a unit appear in the Unassigned Units list automatically?
Units dispatched through CAD, upgrades, or additional alarms are automatically added to the incident and displayed in the Unassigned Units area.
Why is a unit flashing yellow?
A yellow flash indicates the unit was recently added to the incident through dispatch activity.
Does clearing a unit remove it from CAD?
No. Clearing a unit only removes it from the Command Board and does not affect dispatch or CAD status.
Can I rename a dispatched unit?
Yes. However, changes made within the Command Board only affect the board and do not modify CAD or dispatch information.
Why can't I delete personnel assigned to an incident assignment?
Personnel must first be moved back to the Unassigned Personnel area before they can be deleted from the Command Board.
Does deleting personnel affect CAD or staffing systems?
No. Deleting personnel only removes them from the Command Board.
Can multiple units be designated as lead within an assignment?
No. Only one unit within an assignment can be marked as the lead unit.