Purpose Statement
This article explains how to view and interact with Incidents within the First Due Android Mobile Response App. The Incidents feature allows users to view active calls, access dispatch details, navigate to scenes, review pre-plan data, and maintain situational awareness during emergency responses.
Background Information
The Incidents tab provides real-time access to dispatch information and response tools. Depending on department configuration, CAD integration, and assigned permissions, users may see different incident details, navigation options, statusing buttons, and pre-plan information. Incidents serve as the central workspace for response-related decision-making in the mobile app.
Common use cases include:
- Viewing active incidents and dispatch details
- Navigating to incident locations
- Reviewing pre-plan and occupancy data
- Monitoring unit status and hydrant locations
Prerequisites:
- First Due Android Mobile Response App installed
- User logged into the application
- Active CAD connection (for dispatch-driven incidents)
Required Permissions
- Admin > Allow mobile app sign in: Allows user to sign into the Mobile App
- Admin > Allow Offline Sign in: Allows user to sign into the Mobile App while Offline
- Response > Allow to Respond to Incidents: Allow user to Utilize response buttons
- Response > Read Dispatch Call Notes: User can read the dispatch call notes
- Response > Show Weather Info on Size-Up page: User can see weather alerts.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access the Incident List
- Select the Incidents tab to open the incident list.
2. Filter Displayed Incidents
- Enable the All Calls toggle to display all incidents and disable the toggle to display only incidents the user chose to be alerted to within their User Settings.
Warning:
This toggle affects display only and does not change alerting behavior.
3. Use Incident List Gestures
- Swipe right on an incident to hide it from the list.
- Swipe left on an incident to zoom to the incident location.
4. View Dispatch Information
- Select an incident to open it and zoom to the location on the map.
On the right side of the screen, dispatch information may include:
- Dispatch number
- Dispatch time
- Incident type
- Address
- Radio channel (if applicable)
Displayed fields depend on CAD integration and permissions.
5. Use Statusing Buttons
(Available if configured by an administrator)
- Status buttons do not communicate directly with CAD.
- Status selections may populate incident reports if the First Due Incident Documentation module is used and the feature has been configured.
- Statusing can be used for responder tracking and situational awareness.
Location Sharing
- When statused To Station or To Scene, the user’s location may appear on the map.
- Duration is controlled by User Settings.
- Location sharing is optional and user-controlled.
6. Navigate to the Incident
Two navigation options are available:
Quick Route
- Opens turn-by-turn directions in the default navigation app.
- External navigation apps do not display hydrants, occupancies, or pre-plan data within their app.
Calculate Route
- Imports a static route snapshot from Google Maps into First Due.
- Displays distance and estimated drive time in the banner at the top of the screen which, when selected, will display turn-by-turn text directions.
- Select Start Route to begin navigation.
Calculate Route Behavior
- The map remains centered on the user while moving.
- If the user manually pans or zooms the map:
- Auto-scrolling stops.
- The Cancel Route button changes to Resume Route.
- Select Resume Route to re-center and continue navigation.
Additional Route Controls
- A. Toggle between incident location and current location.
- B. Recalculate route from current position.
- C. Open route in external navigation app.
8. Access the Incident Dashboard
- Select the Dashboard button.
- View pre-plan alert tiles and building story information.
- Swipe left or right to view additional alert tiles.
- View attachments such as documents or images.
9. Additional Incident Tools
- Pre-Plan: Opens the pre-plan editing screen (if permitted).
- Call History: Displays previous incidents at the address.
- Google Street View: Opens Street View if available.
- Take Command: Opens or joins a command board (if enabled).
10. Pre-Plan Levels & Building Information
- Use the Pre-Plan Level dropdown to switch levels.
- View Building Story information imported from municipal and pre-plan data.
11. View Hydrant Information
- Select the Hydrants dropdown.
- View the five closest hydrants (line-of-sight calculation).
- Select a hydrant to:
- Highlight its location on the map and view details such as main size, flow, and GPM (if available).
12. View Assigned Units & Status Log
- Assigned units display with color-coded status indicators.
- Unit colors change based on status (if enabled).
Status color meanings:
- Blue: On station, in service, transport
- Green: On scene, arrived, EMS at drop
- Yellow: Responding, to station, traffic
- Red: Not available
- Gray/No Color: Available or not statused
- Expand the unit list for a larger view.
- Status log groups units by current status.
13. View Incident Call Notes
- CAD-delivered call notes display at the bottom of the incident.
- Notes update automatically.
- Expand notes for easier viewing if needed.
Best Practices
Do’s
- Use Calculate Route to retain access to First Due map layers.
- Review pre-plan and hydrant data en route.
- Verify unit status colors for situational awareness.
Don’ts
- Do not rely on line-of-sight hydrants without confirming access.
- Do not assume statusing updates CAD automatically.
- Avoid excessive map manipulation during active navigation.
Tips & Recommendations
- Use split screen for navigation and map awareness.
- Keep User Settings aligned with response workflows.
- Train personnel on status color meanings.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q. Why don’t I see statusing buttons?
A. Statusing must be configured by an administrator and enabled for your role.
Q. Why didn’t my route recenter automatically?
A. Manual map interaction disables auto-centering until Resume Route is selected.
Q. Why don’t hydrants appear in external navigation apps?
A. External map apps do not display First Due hydrants or pre-plan data.