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Apparatus Tracking (AVL)

Steve
  • Updated

What is It?

 

This feature allows you to see the response status, live location, and availability of your team members and apparatus.

  • Both Member and Apparatus login credentials can be used on Android and Apple mobile devices (phones and tablets). The real-time location of these devices can be displayed on all IaR Maps.
  • The Apparatus login is only supported on iOS and Android devices. It will not work on other devices, such as Toughbooks, Windows tablets, or any other non-iOS/Android device.

 

Where to Find It

 

Apparatus Tracking (AVL) is configured through the apparatus profile on the IamResponding website.

  • IaR Website > Administrative Functions > Manage Apparatus > Add/Edit/Delete Apparatus

All IamResponding Maps (on the IaR App, IamResponding website, and IamResponding Dispatch Portal) have the ability to show No Apparatus, Our Apparatus, or All Apparatus.

  • This setting is controlled by going to the Map Settings and then Filters.

 

 

How-to

Add New Apparatus for tracking purposes

 

  1. On the IaR Website, navigate to: Administrative Functions > Manage Apparatus > Add/Edit/Delete Apparatus.
  2. Complete the fields of the apparatus profile.

 

Fields related to tracking

 

  • Vehicle's icon on the Map
    • These options determine what the actual marker on the map will look like.

 

How to control when tracking starts and stops

  • On the IaR Website, navigate to: Administrative Functions > Settings > Manage Response Statuses.
  • At the top of the screen select, APPARATUS
  • In the dropdown, select the VEHICLE TYPE that you want to configure.

  • For each of the options, click on the 3 dots to the RIGHT.

    As desired, configure each option to track the apparatus or not.

    You can then choose where the apparatus would be going, for that specific response option.

     

  • Custom  -- You pick a custom location, for when that option is utilized.
  • Incident  --  The destination will be that of the specific incident that the apparatus selected.
  • None  --  No Real ETA option will be programmed. Tracking of the apparatus can still be done.
  • Subscriber  --  The destination will be the agency's pre-set Agency Location. (set by IaR Staff)  

 

*In the example below, you can see that for the EMS vehicle type, the En-route option will Track the mobile device's location, and it's expected destination is to the Incident Location. 

A Real ETA will be displayed of when the apparatus should arrive at the incident's location.

 

 

24/7 Tracking

 

To track your device 24/7, simply ensure that it has a charged battery and a working data connection. 

 

Once tracking is started, it will continue until stopped manually.

  • Tracking can be stopped by selecting a Response Option that does not have tracking enabled for that Vehicle Type.
  • Tracking can be stopped on the specific mobile device, in the IaR App
    • On the map, there will be a red button to STOP tracking. This button will display anytime the device is being tracked.

 

 

 

 

Troubleshooting

 

When Tracking Stops

 

You may notice one of the following:

  • The IaR Apparatus icon freezes on the map, even though the mobile device is moving.
  • The IaR Apparatus icon disappears completely from the map.

 

How to Fix Tracking

 

If tracking stops for any reason, follow these steps in the IaR Apparatus app:

  1. Select and Send an option that stops tracking.
  2. Immediately select and Send an option that starts tracking.

 

Overcoming Common Issues That Stop Tracking

 

  • The app must be kept running for tracking to work.
    • The app can be minimized, but it must not be closed.
    • If the device has Data Saver or Battery Saver programs, they should be disabled. These can interfere with the IaR App's performance when it is idle or minimized.
  • Device location sharing: If the device is sharing its location with multiple apps simultaneously, it may eventually stop sharing with some of them, including the IaR App.
  • Accidental app closure: If a member accidentally closes and reopens the app, tracking will stop. This action can cause the apparatus icon to freeze on the maps. Because the app is open when you look at it, you would have no way of knowing it was closed and reopened hours or days earlier.

 

iOS Devices

 

We recommend that each iOS device has its own iCloud Account (Apple ID).

We have heard from IaR users that, according to Apple's device tracking "rules," only one device using the same Apple ID is primary. This can make simultaneous tracking of multiple devices with the same Apple ID difficult. (Please note: we have not been able to fully verify this claim.)

However, if you have multiple iOS devices with the same iCloud Account and are having trouble keeping them on the IaR Maps 24/7, consider giving each device its own Apple ID. Some users believe this will solve the issue.

 

Device Requirements

 

The device (phone/tablet) needs to have built-in GPS. It is also strongly recommended that it has its own data plan.

  • If the device does not have its own data plan (it is Wi-Fi only), both the device and the MiFi it connects to must have GPS capability and be properly synced. (Please note: We do not have instructions on MiFi/Device syncing.)
  • A phone or tablet with its own data plan is 100% the most recommended option!

 

 

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