Purpose Statement

User notification preferences allow personnel to customize how they receive important communications from the First Due platform, including push notifications, dispatch messages, family SMS alerts, and messaging options. This feature ensures users receive critical information through their preferred communication channels while maintaining control over notification frequency and timing.

Background Information

The notification system serves as the primary communication hub between the First Due platform and emergency personnel. Users can configure multiple notification types including mobile app push notifications, CAD dispatch messages, family safety notifications, and shift-related communications. The system supports temporary notification suspension, filtered dispatch alerts based on specific units or incident types, and multiple delivery methods to ensure critical information reaches personnel reliably. This flexibility is essential for maintaining operational awareness while accommodating different work schedules and personal preferences.

Required Permissions

• User Preferences - Update - Can update user preferences in one's own account
• Account - Update Dispatch Notification Settings - Update the Dispatch Notification Settings for themselves and others in your agency

Note: Family SMS Notifications must be enabled at the organizational level by your Client Success Manager before individual users can configure family contact numbers.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Accessing Notification Settings

1. Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the First Due interface
   

1. Select "NOTIFICATIONS" from the dropdown menu
   

Configuring Push Notifications

3. Toggle the Push Notifications switch to turn First Due App notifications on or off
   

3. When turning off notifications, a pop-up will appear allowing you to:
   • Set a specific date and time when notifications should resume
   • Temporarily disable notifications for a predetermined period
     

Setting Up Dispatch Notification Filters

5. Use the Dispatch Notification Filter toggle to enable or disable CAD dispatch messages
   

5. Configure Dispatch Turnout Settings to filter specific dispatches:
   • Select specific units from the "Dispatch Units" field
   • Choose incident types from the "Dispatch Type" field
   • Set And/Or Logic for filtering:
     • AND Logic: Strict filtering (e.g., Engine 1 AND Fire Alarms = only fire alarm calls for Engine 1)
     • OR Logic: Inclusive filtering (e.g., Engine 1 OR Fire Alarms = all Engine 1 calls plus all fire alarm calls regardless of unit)
       

Configuring Family SMS Notifications

7. Enable Family SMS Notifications if available (must be activated by Client Success Manager)
8. Add up to two family phone numbers for incident notifications
9. Family members will receive texts when you:
   • Mark yourself as responding to an incident
   • Clear from an incident
   • Message format: "[First Name] [Last Name] has marked themselves as [responder status] to an incident in [city] at [timestamp]"
     

Setting Messaging Preferences

10. Click on "Messaging Options" to configure communication preferences
11. Select preferred delivery methods for Call Shifts and Messages:
    • Phone Call
    • Text Message
    • Push Notification
    • Email
      

Configuring Scheduling Options

12. Click Scheduling Options
    

12. Determine how you want to receive notifications for:
    • Time Off Requests
    • Trade Requests
    • Off Roster Requests
    • Sign Up Requests
    • Work Shifts
13. You can choose between:
    • App - Push Notifications
    • Email
    • Notification Center - On the First Due Website
      

Note: You must have at least one option enabled to be able to save your preferences

12. Click "Save" to apply your messaging preferences
    

Best Practices

• Select at least two delivery methods for critical communications to ensure redundancy
• Configure dispatch filters carefully to avoid missing important calls while reducing notification overload
• Test family SMS notifications after setup to verify proper functionality
• Review and update notification preferences regularly, especially after schedule changes or role modifications
• Use temporary notification suspension during off-duty periods rather than permanently disabling important alerts
• When using dispatch filtering with AND logic, be specific about unit and incident type combinations to avoid overly restrictive settings
• Verify that at least one notification method is enabled for scheduling options before saving preferences

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why aren't I receiving family SMS notifications?

A: This feature must be enabled by your Client Success Manager at the organizational level before individual configuration is possible. Contact your administrator to verify organizational settings.

Q: I'm not receiving any dispatch notifications. What should I check?

A: Verify that the Dispatch Notification Filter is enabled and review your Dispatch Turnout Settings. Overly restrictive AND logic filtering may be blocking notifications. Consider switching to OR logic or broadening your unit/incident type selections.

Q: Can I receive notifications on multiple devices?

A: Yes, push notifications will be sent to all devices where you're logged into the First Due app with notifications enabled.

Q: What happens if I temporarily disable notifications but forget to re-enable them?

A: The system will automatically re-enable notifications at the date and time you specified when setting up the temporary suspension.

Q: Why am I receiving too many dispatch notifications?

A: Review your Dispatch Turnout Settings and consider using more specific unit or incident type filters, or switch from OR logic to AND logic for more restrictive filtering.

Q: I can't save my scheduling notification preferences. Why?

A: You must have at least one notification method enabled (App Push Notifications, Email, or Notification Center) before the system will allow you to save your preferences.

Q: How many family members can receive SMS notifications?

A: You can add up to two family phone numbers to receive incident response notifications.