Purpose Statement

This article explains how to navigate and use the Map within the First Due Android Mobile Response App. The map provides situational awareness by displaying incidents, units, hydrants, pre-plan data, and navigation tools to support response operations.

Background Information

The Map is a core feature of the First Due Mobile Response App and serves as the primary visual interface for incident locations, responder positioning, and geographic data. Depending on user settings, permissions, and department configuration, map behavior and available tools may vary.

Common use cases include:

• Viewing current location and nearby incidents
• Measuring distances during operations
• Switching between map orientations and map providers
• Managing notifications and account access from the map screen

Prerequisites:

• First Due Android Mobile Response App installed
• User logged into the application

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
• Admin > User Preferences – Update: User can access the App Settings within the First Due App
• Response > Enable Offline Preplans Download: Enables offline download of Maps, pre-plans, & hydrant data via the Android mobile application
• Response > Responder Map - Show Unit Tracking: User can toggle on or off the display of unit tracking on the map

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open the Map

• Select the Map icon from the bottom toolbar
• The map opens centered on the user’s current location (if enabled)

2. Access the User Profile Menu

• Select the profile picture icon in the upper-left corner
• View all cached user accounts on the device
• The currently logged-in user displays with a blue check mark

Additional options may include:

• Add Account
  • Available only if enabled by an administrator
  • Allows login to multiple First Due accounts
  • Enables switching accounts without logging out
• Dev Info
  • Displays device and app details such as:
    • App version
    • Operating system
    • Device type
    • Cellular carrier
    • First Due server
    • Account information
    • Device token
  • Includes links to Support Email and Privacy Policy
• Lock Session
  • Locks the app session
  • Requires password or biometrics to unlock (if enabled)
• Log Out
  • Logs the user out of the app and requires reauthentication

3. Use the Search Bar

• Select the search bar at the top of the screen
• Enter a keyword or address

4. Manage Notifications from the Map

• Select the bell icon
• Temporarily or permanently disable notifications
• Optionally select a future date and time for notifications to automatically reenable

5. Center the Map on Your Location

• Select the Center to Location button in the lower-right corner
• The map recenters on the device’s current location

6. Change Map Orientation

• Select the Compass icon
• Toggle between:
  • Direction of travel facing up
  • North always facing up

7. Measure Distance on the Map

• Select the Measurement Tool
• Tap a starting point on the map
• Tap an ending point to measure distance
• Add additional points to extend the measurement
• Select the Measurement Tool again to clear the measurement

8. Change Map Technology

• Select the Map Technology icon
• Choose between available map providers:
  • Google Maps
  • ArcGIS Maps

Best Practices

Do’s

• Use the center-to-location button to quickly reorient during operations
• Use the measurement tool for estimating distances or access points
• Lock the session when handing the device to another user

Don’ts

• Do not rely on Google search results for internal occupancy data
• Avoid frequent map technology switching during active incidents

Tips & Recommendations

• Verify map technology selection aligns with department standards
• Keep multiple accounts cached only if operationally necessary
• Use compass mode intentionally to avoid navigation confusion

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q. Why don’t I see certain account options in the profile menu?
A. Some options, such as Add Account, are permission-based and controlled by an administrator.

Q. Why doesn’t search find occupancies from First Due?
A. The map search uses Google and does not search First Due occupancy data.

Q. Why won’t the map stay centered on my location?
A. Manual map movement disables auto-centering until the center-to-location button is selected.