Purpose Statement

The Area Map Selection tool allows users to visually document where an incident occurred within the Location subsection of a fire incident report. This is especially useful for outside fire incidents where the exact incident area, perimeter, or point of origin may need to be shown on a map.

This feature helps improve incident documentation by allowing users to draw an incident area, place an incident point, and automatically capture related map-based details such as area and perimeter.

Background Information

Area Map Selection is available from the Location section of a fire incident report. Users can open the map from the Display on Map button and use the available drawing tools to identify the incident location more accurately.

The tool includes options to:

• Display the dispatch address on a map
• Zoom in and out
• Place an incident point
• Draw a freehand area
• Draw a polygon area
• Undo the last selection
• Delete all map selections
• Save the selected point and area back to the report

This workflow is most commonly used for outside fire incidents or any incident where a visual boundary or point location provides better documentation than the dispatch address alone.

Required Permissions

Users must have access to create or edit fire incident reports and access the applicable incident report location fields.

Recommended permissions to verify:

• Fire Incident Reports: View
• Fire Incident Reports: Create/Edit
• Fire Incident Reports: Location Section Access
• Ability to update incident location details

Permission names may vary by agency configuration. Confirm the exact permission set with your agency administrator.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open the Fire Incident Report

   Open the applicable Fire Incident Report.

    

2. Navigate to the Location Section of the Response Tab

   Select the Response tab within the fire incident report.

    Locate the Location section.

   
   

    

3. Select Display on Map

   In the upper-right corner of the Location section, select Display on Map.

   

    

4. Review the Map Window

   After selecting Display on Map, a map window will open. The dispatch address will display on the map.

   
    

5. Review the Available Map Tools

   On the right side of the map, review the available tools:

   1. Point Selection Tool: Places a point on the map.
   2. Freehand Area Draw Tool: Allows you to draw an area manually.
   3. Polygon Area Draw Tool: Allows you to create an area by selecting points.
   4. Undo: Removes the last selection.
   5. Delete All: Clears all map selections.
   6. Full Screen: Expands the Map to Full Screen.

   
    

6. Draw an Incident Area Using the Polygon Tool

   Select the Polygon Area Draw Tool. Click points on the map to outline the incident area. To finish the polygon, select the final point.

   
    

7. Place the Incident Point Inside the Area

   After drawing the polygon, use the Point Selection Tool to place the incident point inside the selected area.

   The system may display a notice if the point is not located inside the polygon. If this occurs, place a new point inside the selected area.

   
    

8. Draw an Incident Area Using the Freehand Tool

To use a freehand shape instead, select the Freehand Area Draw Tool and manually draw the incident area on the map.

11. Place the Incident Point Inside the Freehand Area

Once the freehand area is drawn, place the incident point within the selected coverage area.

12. Save the Map Selection

After the area and incident point are set, select Save.

13. Review the Updated Location Fields

After saving, the report will display additional fields for Perimeter and Area. These fields are automatically calculated and appear grayed out.

14. Confirm the Dispatch Location Toggle Setting

If Is this incident the same as a dispatch location is toggled on, the incident location will be locked and the map drawing tools will not be available for editing.

To use the Area Map Selection tools, make sure this toggle is turned off.

Best Practices

• Use the Polygon Area Draw Tool when the incident area has clear boundaries.
• Use the Freehand Area Draw Tool when the incident area is irregular or easier to outline manually.
• Always place the incident point inside the selected area.
• Confirm the incident point accurately reflects the location or origin of the incident.
• Review the automatically calculated Area and Perimeter fields after saving.
• Keep the Is this incident the same as a dispatch location toggle off when the incident point or area needs to be adjusted.
• Avoid saving the map selection until both the incident area and point are correct.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why did the red incident point disappear after I drew the polygon?

If the existing point is outside the polygon area, the system removes the point and prompts you to create a new one. Place a new incident point inside the selected area.

Why can’t I use the map drawing tools?

The Is this incident the same as a dispatch location toggle may be turned on. When this toggle is enabled, the incident location is locked and the drawing tools are unavailable. Turn the toggle off to update the incident location.

Can I use both the polygon and freehand tools?

Yes, but only one final area selection should be saved for the incident. Use the tool that best represents the incident area.

What are the Area and Perimeter fields?

These fields are automatically calculated after saving the selected map area. They are grayed out because they are generated by the system based on the area drawn on the map.

When should I use Area Map Selection?

Use this feature when the incident location is better represented visually on a map, especially for outside fires or incidents covering a larger area.