Command: Map Section

Command: Map Section

Purpose Statement

  1. The map section provides comprehensive visual incident management capabilities within the command module, enabling incident commanders to visualize tactical operations, place pre-planned units, create annotations, and manage assignment locations. This interactive mapping interface enhances situational awareness by combining geographical context with tactical information, supporting effective incident command decision-making through visual representation of resources and hazards.

Background Information

  1. The map section shares most features with the pre-planned module's mapping capabilities while adding command-specific functionality for active incident management. The system supports both Google Maps and ArcGIS platforms, though full feature availability depends on the selected mapping service. The interface provides tools for pre-planned unit placement, annotation creation, assignment visualization, and tactical information overlay. All map activities are automatically logged and synchronized with other command board sections, ensuring comprehensive incident documentation and cross-platform consistency.

Required Permissions

Users must have the appropriate level of the Incident Commands permission configured in their role:

  • Read: View command boards in read-only mode
  • Update: Modify command board settings and information
  • Create: Initiate new command boards and add custom items
  • Delete: Remove command board elements and complete incidents

Additional permissions may be required for specific functions like messaging and roster access based on integrated modules.

Video


Step by Step Guide

1.  The Map Section is based off of the Pre-Plans Map and has many of the same features  Levels can be selected to display the different Pre-Plan Units assigned to those levels






2.  Pre-Plan Units can be accessed from the map which opens the Pre-Plan Unit selection Menu. Only 25 Pre-plan Unit Types are available and are chosen in Command Setup for each Template.





3. Pre-Plan Units can be added to the map by selecting the Prep-plan Unit from the list and then clicking on the location on the Map.






4. Pre-Plan Units can then be edited or deleted.





5. Annotations can also be added to the map. The annotation, colors, line size and other attributes is designated in Command Setup and cannot be changed.





6. To add a Annotation Line, Select Line then the starting point of the line on the map and then double click the end point. The line will then display in the color combination chosen in Command Set Up. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.






7. To add a polygon, select polygon annotation and then each corner of the polygon. The polygon will then display in the prefill color combination chosen in Command Setup. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.






8. To add a circle, select the circle annotation and then select the center of the circle on the map and then the radius end point of the circle. The circle will then display in the prefill color combination chosen in Command Setup. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.






9. To add a rectangle, select the rectangle annotation and then select one corner of the rectangle on the map and then the opposite corner of the rectangle. The rectangle will then display in the prefill color combination chosen in Command Setup. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.






10. To add Text to the map, Select the text annotation, then the location on the map to place the text. A pop up will appear where the text to display can be entered. Text can then be moved by selecting the text in the annotations column and then moving the text to the desired location. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.





11. To add a measurement to the map, select measurement from the annotation list, then the starting point on the map. Multiple points can be selected. In the menu more options can be selected which allows for total distance to be measured as well as segmented and accumulative distance. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.







12. To add a Arrow , Select Arrow from the list, then the ending point of the arrow and then point to the spot on the map where the arrow will be pointing to on the map and then double click the end point. A entry will also be created in the annotation list.






13. To delete any annotation, select the 'X' next to the annotation in the annotation menu on the right side of the map. Then Select confirm in the pop-up window.






14. The following items are similar to the items that appear in the Pre-Plan menu
16A. Primary addresses can be displayed which then opens the option to display secondary addresses
16B.  Map Layers
16C.  Google Points of Interest.
16D. Google Pegman (Street View)
16E.  Zoom in/out






15. Toggle between Google Maps & ArcGIS Maps. While in Google Maps the user can choose between the Satellite layer (with a dropdown for Labels option) or the Map Layer (with a dropdown for terrain option).

Warning
It's important to note that annotations and pre-plan unit placement as well as most of the other features of the command board are not supported in ArcGIS maps and are only supported in the Google map layer.






16.  Assignments can be dragged onto the map and placed wherever needed or desired.
17.  If an Assignment has a Unit that has been marked as the Lead, the Unit will show within the assignment bubble.
18.  If the Assignment does not have a unit or a lead unit that assignment will remain empty on the map.






19. New Assignments can also be created by selecting the Plus Icon (+), then selecting the assignment from the list or creating a custom assignment. The new assignment will now appear in the list and can be placed on the map.



Best Practices

Do:

  • Use Google Maps for full functionality and feature availability
  • Place pre-planned units strategically for tactical reference
  • Create annotations early in incident for hazard identification
  • Designate lead units for assignments to improve map visibility
  • Save measurements for future reference and tactical planning

Don't:

  • Rely on ArcGIS for annotation and pre-planned unit features
  • Overcrowd the map with unnecessary annotations
  • Delete pre-planned units without tactical justification
  • Create duplicate assignments for the same tactical objective

Tips:

  • Utilize different annotation types for various tactical purposes
  • Leverage measurement tool for tactical spacing and resource deployment
  • Coordinate assignment placement with tactical objectives
  • Use text annotations for specific hazard or tactical notes
  • Collapse assignments when map space is limited

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I can't see annotations or pre-planned units on the map. What should I check?
A: Verify you're using Google Maps rather than ArcGIS. Most command board features are only supported in Google Maps.

Q: Why don't some assignments show units in their dropdowns on the map?
A: Only units designated as "lead" within assignments appear in map dropdowns. Designate lead units in the board section to see them on the map.

Q: Can I edit existing pre-plans that show on the map?
A: No, existing pre-plans from the address database are read-only. You can only add and edit command pre-planned units.

Q: How many pre-planned units can I add to the map?
A: The command module supports a maximum of 25 pre-planned units, which are assigned to specific templates in command setup.

Q: I created an assignment on the map but can't assign units to it. Why?
A: Unit assignment to assignments can only be performed in the board section, not in the map section.

Q: Can I change the colors and appearance of annotations?
A: Annotation appearance is pre-configured in command setup and cannot be changed during incident operations.

Q: What's the difference between the three measurement display options?
A: Total distance shows overall measurement, segmented shows individual segments, and accumulative shows running totals for each segment.


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