Purpose Statement
The Overall Strategies feature within Command Setup allows agencies to create, organize, and manage high-level response strategies associated with dispatch incident types.
This functionality ensures consistent command-level direction during incidents by linking predefined strategies to specific dispatch types. It improves operational efficiency, supports standardized response models, and enhances situational readiness for command staff.
Background Information
Overall Strategies are configured within the Response Module and are typically managed by administrative or command-level users.
Agencies use Overall Strategies to:
Standardize command approaches across similar incident types
Ensure alignment between dispatch classifications and operational tactics
Streamline decision-making during high-pressure incidents
Maintain organized strategy documentation
Each Overall Strategy can be associated with one or more Dispatch Incident Types, allowing it to trigger or align with specific response scenarios.
Required Permissions
Users must have appropriate permissions within the Response Module to access and manage Command Setup configurations.
Recommended permissions:
Response Module access
Command Setup configuration permissions
Create/Edit Overall Strategy permissions
Archive/Reactivate permissions
If access is restricted, contact your system administrator to adjust user role permissions.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open the Main Menu
- Select Response
- Select Command Setup
- Use the search field at the top of the page
- Enter a keyword or partial word
- Select Apply to run the search
- Select Reset to clear the search filter.
Info:
The search uses fuzzy search functionality, meaning:
- Partial word matches are supported
- Similar text matches may appear in results
- Select Show Columns
- Choose which columns to display
- Rearranged
- Resized
- Sorted ascending
- Sorted descending
- Reset to default sorting
- Select Create Overall Strategy
- A. Enter the Name for the Overall Strategy.
- B. Choose one or more Dispatch Incident Types for this Overall Strategy to be associated with. (To select multiple Dispatch Incident Types, hold the CTRL key and Left click the selections).
- C. Select Create.
- Locate the strategy in the list
- Select the Pencil Icon
- Make the desired updates
- Save the changes
- Select the archive icon next to the strategy
- Confirm the archive action
The strategy will move to the archived list.
- Switch to the archived strategies list
- Select the checkmark next to the strategy
- Select Confirm
The strategy will return to the active list.
11. Bulk Archive Multiple Overall Strategies
- Select one or more checkboxes next to the desired strategies
- Select the Archive button
- Confirm the archive action
Archived strategies are removed from the active list but can be restored later.
12. Bulk Add Overall Strategies
- Select Bulk Add
- Enter one strategy per line in the provided text field
Important Note:
- Bulk Add only imports strategy names
- Dispatch incident type associations are not included during import
- Each imported strategy must later be edited individually to assign incident types
Continue the process:
- Select Preview Import
- Review valid and invalid entries
Duplicate entries:
- Are marked invalid
- Will not import into the system
To complete the import:
- Select Import
All valid records will appear in the Overall Strategies list.
Best Practices
- Use descriptive, standardized naming conventions for overall strategies to ensure easy identification
- Regularly review and update strategies to reflect current operational procedures
- Associate strategies with appropriate incident types to ensure proper deployment
- Maintain an organized archive of outdated strategies for reference purposes
- Test strategies during training exercises to validate effectiveness
- Document any customizations or modifications made to standard strategies
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Why can't I see the Create Overall Strategy button?
A: Verify you have the necessary Command Module permissions and administrative access rights.
Q: Can I associate one strategy with multiple incident types?
A: Yes, hold the Control key and left-click multiple incident types during strategy creation.
Q: What happens to archived strategies?
A: Archived strategies are moved to the Archive list but remain available for reactivation when needed.
Q: Can I edit an existing overall strategy?
A: Strategy editing capabilities depend on your permission level and the current status of the strategy.
Q: How do I know which incident types are already associated with a strategy?
A: Review the strategy details in the active list to see all associated incident types.