Purpose Statement

The Google Maps integration within First Due's Web Responder module provides comprehensive mapping and visualization capabilities for emergency response operations. This feature allows users to view incidents, units, hydrants, cameras, and pre-planned occupancies with real-time traffic data and street-level imagery. Google Maps offers intuitive navigation tools, measurement capabilities, and 3D viewing options to support situational awareness and tactical decision-making during emergency responses.

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Background Information

Google Maps is the default mapping platform in First Due's Web Responder module, providing familiar and user-friendly navigation for emergency responders. The integration includes standard Google Maps features such as satellite imagery, street view, traffic data, and points of interest, combined with First Due-specific layers like hydrants, pre-plans, cameras, and incident locations.

The Google Maps interface is designed to support both incident visualization and pre-incident planning. Users can access real-time traffic conditions to plan response routes, use street view to conduct virtual size-ups of buildings, and utilize measurement tools for tactical planning such as hose lay calculations or evacuation zone establishment.

Common use cases include viewing hydrant locations during structure fire responses, accessing street-level imagery for pre-incident planning, monitoring real-time traffic to optimize response routes, and visualizing unit locations during multi-unit incidents. The platform is particularly valuable for its widespread familiarity among users and its comprehensive street-level imagery coverage.

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Required Permissions

To access and utilize Google Map features in the Web Responder module, users need the following permissions:

• No Permission Needed

Note: Additional permissions for viewing specific map layers (hydrants, cameras, pre-plans, etc.) may vary based on your department's configuration and your assigned user role.

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Video

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Step-by-Step

1. Primary Addresses
   
2. Secondary Addresses
   
3. Incidents
   
4. Cameras
   
5. Hydrants
   
6. Pre-Plan unit (Also enables the User to filter specific Pre-Plans units to be displayed or hidden)
   
7. Annotations
   
8. Address Tags
9. Stations
   
10. Traffic (Live traffic via Google)
    
11. Units (Also enables user to filter specific units to be displayed or hidden)
    

Best Practices

Do's

• Do enable Google Traffic when planning response routes to identify congestion and select optimal paths
• Do use Google Street View to conduct virtual pre-incident surveys of buildings and familiarize yourself with access points, FDC locations, and hydrant positions
• Do utilize the measurement tool for tactical planning such as hose lay calculations, establishing collapse zones, or determining evacuation perimeters
• Do toggle off unnecessary map layers during active incidents to reduce visual clutter and improve map clarity
• Do use the filter function to isolate specific pre-plan unit types when searching for particular hazards or features like stairwells or FDCs
• Do familiarize yourself with regional pre-plan layers in your jurisdiction before they are needed during an actual incident
• Do verify your device has good GPS and cellular connection when using the center-on-location feature for accurate positioning
• Do explore the 3D tilt view during pre-incident planning to better understand building layouts and surrounding geography

Don'ts

• Don't forget to reset filters after using them—filtered views may hide important information during active incidents
• Don't rely solely on street view imagery for tactical decisions, as images may be outdated or taken during different seasons
• Don't forget to toggle Primary Addresses back on if you need to view Secondary Addresses, as secondary addresses require primary addresses to be enabled
• Don't assume real-time traffic data is always current—road closures and incidents may not be immediately reflected
• Don't depend exclusively on the crosshair location feature if your device has poor GPS signal, as it may show an inaccurate or outdated position
• Don't leave measurement lines on the map after completing calculations, as they can create confusion during operations

Tips & Recommendations

• When responding to structure fires, enable the Hydrants layer and use Street View to identify the nearest hydrants and FDC locations before arriving on scene
• Use the 3D tilt view during pre-planning to identify roof access points, aerial ladder placement opportunities, and potential collapse zones
• Create a personal checklist of which layers are most relevant to your role and jurisdiction to quickly configure your map view
• Combine satellite view with Street View to get both overhead and street-level perspectives of unfamiliar locations
• During training scenarios, practice using the measurement tool to estimate hose lays, calculate ladder reach, or establish hot zones
• For large-scale planned events, coordinate with dispatch to ensure relevant regional pre-plan layers are activated before the incident
• Periodically reset your map view to default settings to ensure you haven't inadvertently filtered out important information
• Use Points of Interest to identify nearby hospitals, schools, or other significant locations that may impact tactical operations

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why can't I see Secondary Addresses even though I have them toggled on?
A: Secondary addresses (suites, apartments, sub-addresses) can only be displayed when Primary Addresses are also enabled. Toggle Primary Addresses on first, then Secondary Addresses will appear on the map.

Q: The crosshair icon is centering the map on an incorrect location. How do I fix this?
A: Ensure your device has a strong GPS signal and active cellular connection. If the problem persists, the map may be using your device's last known location. Try moving to an area with better reception or refreshing your device's location services.

Q: How do I remove a filter that I applied to Pre-Plan Units?
A: Click the Filter button within Pre-Plan Units, then select Reset. All pre-plan units will reappear on the map. It's important to reset filters regularly to ensure you're viewing all available information.

Q: What are regional pre-plans and when should I use them?
A: Regional pre-plans allow departments to pre-plan for geographic areas rather than specific occupancies. Use these for incidents that span large areas such as marathons, river rescue zones, swiftwater areas, or other geographic features in your jurisdiction. For detailed information, refer to the Regional Pre-Plans Knowledge Base Article.

Q: Why can't I drag Google Pegman to certain areas on the map?
A: Google Street View is only available on roads and areas indicated by blue lines when you hover over or click Pegman. If no blue lines appear in an area, Street View imagery is not available for that location.

Q: How accurate are the measurements from the measurement tool?
A: The measurement tool provides reasonably accurate distance calculations based on the map's scale and projection. However, for critical operational decisions requiring precise measurements, consider using additional measurement methods or tools to verify distances.

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