Mobile Response (iOS): Offline mode

Mobile Response (iOS): Offline mode

Purpose Statement

  1. The offline mode feature allows First Due mobile app users to access essential mapping data, occupancies, pre-plans, and hydrant information when cellular or data connectivity is limited or unavailable. This functionality ensures emergency responders can maintain operational effectiveness in rural areas or locations with poor network coverage by caching critical response data locally on their mobile devices.

Background Information

  1. Rural emergency responses often present connectivity challenges that can limit access to critical response information. First Due's offline mode addresses this by caching ESRI base maps, ArcGIS mapping data, occupancies, pre-plan items, and hydrants within the jurisdiction shapefile and mutual aid areas. This cached data remains accessible even when network connectivity is lost, ensuring responders have access to vital information during emergency operations. The feature requires initial setup and periodic updates to maintain data accuracy.

Info
INFO: Offline mode caches the Streets map style of ESRI Base Maps in ArcGIS mapping, occupancies, any Pre-plan items and also hydrants that are inside the jurisdictions shapefile and all jurisdictions that your share data with.  In addition, Offline Mode also caches the Regional Preplan layers in the account. Due to technical limitations on the Google side, this functionality will not be available for Google Maps.  Please talk to your Client Success Manager or Implementation Manager to have this activated in your account.  

Alert
ALERT: Currently Offline Mode is not available for Android devices.

Required Permissions

  1. Allow mobile app sign in: Allows the User to sign into the mobile app
  2. Enable Offline Pre-Plans Download: Enables offline download functionality of maps, Pre-Plan and Hydrant Data via the Mobile application 

Video




Step-By-Step Guide


Notes
NOTE: Contact your Implementation Manager or Client Success Manager to enable this functionality in your account.  Once this update is made, the client must wait until after midnight to take further steps in the app.


1. From Menu, select the App Settings 





2. Select Offline Maps Settings 





3. Select Download Map to store the map of your shapefile and the surrounding shapefiles locally.

Warning
IMPORTANT: The user must have a map stored locally before updating the Client Data.






4.  Select Update client data to locally store pre-plan items, regional pre-plan items, occupancies and hydrants.





5. Maps will not automatically update, whereas Client data will prompt you for an update every day. If you wish to update the map and/or the client data manually, select Delete All Data and proceed from Step 3.




How To Use


1. When the app has lost data connectivity, a red banner will appear informing the user of that.





2. If the user is not in it already, they will need to go into the Map Technology and select ArcGIS and change the Map Style to Street.





3. When data connectivity is restored, the user will see a green banner appear informing the user of that fact.  The user then has full functionality of the app again.



Best Practices

Do's

  • Download offline data while connected to stable Wi-Fi to avoid data usage charges
  • Regularly update cached maps and client data to maintain accuracy
  • Test offline functionality during training exercises in areas with poor connectivity
  • Coordinate offline map updates with pre-plan updates and jurisdiction changes
  • Ensure sufficient device storage before initiating downloads
  • Download updates during off-duty hours to avoid interrupting emergency response

Don'ts

  • Don't rely solely on offline data for critical pre-plan information without recent updates
  • Don't attempt initial downloads during emergency operations
  • Don't ignore storage warnings that may prevent successful downloads
  • Don't forget to switch to ArcGIS and Street Mode when connectivity is lost
  • Don't attempt downloads over cellular connections unless necessary due to data usage

Tips 

  • Schedule regular offline data updates as part of routine equipment checks
  • Monitor device storage levels to ensure adequate space for offline data
  • Familiarize yourself with offline interface during non-emergency periods
  • Coordinate with dispatch to understand which areas commonly have connectivity issues
  • Consider downloading updates before shifts in areas known for poor coverage

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why can't I see the offline mode options in my app settings?
 A: Offline mode must be activated by your implementation manager or client success manager. Contact them to enable this feature on your account, then wait until after midnight for the changes to take effect.

Q: My offline map download keeps failing. What should I do?
A: Ensure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient device storage. Try connecting to Wi-Fi instead of cellular data, and close other apps that might be using bandwidth or memory.

Q: How often should I update my offline data?
A: Client data updates automatically at midnight daily, but maps must be manually updated. Update maps when you notice discrepancies or after your jurisdiction makes significant changes to pre-plans or infrastructure.

Q: The offline map isn't displaying properly. What's wrong?
A: Verify that you've switched the map technology to "ArcGIS" and set the mode to "Street Mode" when in offline mode. Also ensure you've zoomed into an area covered by your jurisdiction shapefile.

Q: How much storage space does offline mode require?
A: Storage requirements vary based on your jurisdiction size and the amount of cached data. Larger jurisdictions with extensive pre-plan data will require more storage space.

Q: Can I use offline mode outside my primary jurisdiction?
A: Offline mode includes mutual aid areas as defined in your jurisdiction shapefile, but coverage may be limited outside these defined boundaries.

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