The manual incident dispatching tool allows users to create and update incidents directly within IamResponding (IaR) through the web dashboard, mobile apps, and ECC portal.
Web Dashboard
- Create and update incidents directly from the IaR website dashboard.
- Offers quick and easy navigation and operation.
Mobile Apps
- Create and update incidents from any location using the IaR mobile app.
- Provides easy access and management from the field.
ECC Portal
- Create and update incidents from the IaR ECC portal to supplement CAD dispatching.
- Serves as a redundant means of dispatching field responders. (Learn more in our upcoming article on this topic).
Benefits & Use Cases
Efficiency and Speed
- Create, send, and update incidents directly within IamResponding.
- Eliminate outdated dispatch practices when CAD is not available.
Communication and Coordination
- Provide real-time notifications and updates for relevant personnel from any location.
Adaptability to Various Situations
- Manage a wide range of incidents, from planned events to spontaneous emergencies.
Support for Non-Emergency Situations
- Manage events such as community gatherings and large-scale events.
- Dispatch personnel not listed in CAD.
CAD Redundancy
- Provide fully redundant incident notification during CAD failures or maintenance windows.
Specialty Teams
- Dispatch specialty teams, such as SWAT, Search & Rescue, etc., which may not be listed in CAD.
- Initiate incidents as a team lead or supervisor.
Large Scale Emergencies
- Use this tool during large-scale emergency events, such as floods or storms, where ECC staff is overwhelmed and there are delays in dispatching through CAD.
- Dispatch personnel directly from the command post.
Granting Access to Create and Update Incidents
To use the Create & Update Incident tool, an IamResponding (IaR) administrator must first grant permission to each user. The new permission, "Permitted to create/update incidents?", is located at the bottom of the user's profile permission list.
Create & Update Incidents - Website Dashboard
Create an Incident
Within the IamResponding website dashboard, you can quickly and easily navigate to the incident creation page.
To open the incident creation tool:
- Open the menu from the top left of the website dashboard page.
- Select Create Incident.
Recipients
Within the incident creation tool, you'll need to select the recipient(s) you want to send the incident to. You can select multiple recipients at once.
The recipients you see will correspond with the dispatch notification groups that you're subscribed to in your member profile.
Data Fields
Users will be able to enter data for the following fields. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
-
Incident Type*:
- Select from a prefilled drop-down list. (Not able to be edited at this time.)
- Incident Subtype
- Priority
- Comments
- Latitude & Longitude*
- Incident Location
- Location or Business Name
- Cross Streets
Incident Location
You can identify the incident location using one of these methods:
- Search for an address using the map search bar. This automatically updates the Latitude & Longitude and Incident Location fields.
- Drag and drop the incident marker pin to the correct location on the map. This also automatically updates the Latitude & Longitude and Incident Location fields.
- Enter latitude and longitude coordinates. This will automatically update the incident marker pin on the map.
The address displayed for field responders within IamResponding is the one entered in the Incident Location field. If you adjust this field, the mapped address will remain the same.
Creating an Incident
Once you've entered all the required information, simply select Create Incident. IamResponding will then instantly push the incident to field responders.
Manual incidents will be displayed to field responders in a structured format, with each field clearly identified and separated.
*Note: Responders will only receive a notification if they have subscribed to the incident notification group in their member profile that corresponds with the recipient group you selected.
Update an Incident
Within the IamResponding website dashboard, you can quickly and easily update an incident.
To select an incident to update:
- Open the menu from the top left of the website dashboard page.
- Select Update Incident.
- Search for the incident you wish to update.
- Select Update Incident once more to confirm.
The Update Incident Window
Within the Update Incident window, you'll see all the current incident information. From here, you can:
- Add recipient groups to send the incident to
- Update any existing fields
- Update the incident location
- Add new comments
- Update the incident status to "Open" or "Closed"
Once you've saved your changes, they'll be instantly reflected in IamResponding and visible to all field responders.
Create & Update Incidents - Mobile Apps
Create an Incident
Within the IamResponding mobile app, you can quickly and easily get to the incident creation page.
To open the incident creation tool:
- Open the menu at the top left of the screen.
- Select Create Incident.
OR
- Select the icon at the bottom right of the Update Incident page.
Recipients
Within the incident creation tool, you'll need to select the recipient(s) you want to send the incident to. You can select multiple recipients at once.
The recipients you see will correspond with the dispatch notification groups that you're subscribed to in your member profile.
Data Fields
Users will be able to enter data for the following fields. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
- Incident Type*: Free text, or select from a prefilled drop-down list.
- Incident Subtype
- Priority
- Comments
- Latitude & Longitude*
- Incident Location
- Location or Business Name
- Cross Streets
Incident Location
You can identify the incident location using one of these methods:
- Search for an address using the map search bar. This automatically updates the Latitude & Longitude and Incident Location fields.
- Enter latitude and longitude coordinates. This automatically updates the incident marker pin.
- Drag and drop the incident marker pin to the correct location on the map. You must enter an address or coordinates before you can adjust the pin.
- Click on the map to expand it. This automatically updates the Latitude & Longitude and Incident Location fields.
The address displayed for field responders within IamResponding is the one you enter in the Incident Location field. If you adjust this field, the mapped address will remain the same.
Create an Incident
Once you've entered all the required fields, select Create Incident at the bottom of the page. IamResponding will then instantly push the incident to field responders.
Manual incidents will be displayed to field responders in a structured format, with each field clearly identified and separated.
Note: Responders will only receive a notification if they have subscribed to the incident notification group in their member profile that corresponds with the recipient group you selected for the incident.
Update an Incident
Within the IamResponding mobile app, you can quickly and easily update an incident.
To select an incident to update:
- Open the menu at the top left of the screen.
- Select Update Incident.
- Choose the incident you want to update from the list.
After creating an incident, you'll be taken directly to the Update Incident page, where you can make changes.
The Update Incident Page
On the Update Incident page, you'll see all the current incident information. From here, you can:
- Add recipients to send the incident to. (This corresponds with the dispatch notification groups you're subscribed to in your member profile.)
- Update any existing fields.
- Update the incident location.
- Add new comments.
- Update the incident status to "Open" or "Closed."
Once you select Update Incident at the bottom of the page, all your changes will be instantly reflected in IamResponding and visible to field responders.
FAQ
How do I enable this for my agency?
If you would like to enable manual dispatching for your agency, please contact us at iar-dispatch@rapidsos.com.
Who will be able to create and update incidents?
Users need to have the permission, "Permitted to send internal text/email/push notification messages," enabled in their member profiles before they can create or update incidents.
If your ECC uses an IamResponding Dispatcher Portal, they will also be able to create and update incidents for your agency.
Will I be able to see who made updates to an incident?
Currently, there is no functionality to view users who have made updates to an incident. This feature will be added at a later date.
What happens when an incident status changes from "Open" to "Closed"?
The current status of the incident will be displayed under "Incident Details" when you view an incident.
When an incident has been closed, the CAD incident will display "Incident Closed" under the nature and address on the web dashboard and within the incident list in the mobile apps.
Additionally, if your system is configured to export incident data to ESO, this will be done when an incident is closed.
Who will receive notifications when an incident is sent?
Users will only receive incident notifications if they have subscribed to the recipient group in their member profile that an incident is being sent to.
Can I create and send an incident to a specific individual, apparatus, or messaging group?
Incidents can only be sent to dispatch groups that have been created within an IamResponding system. Currently, you cannot send incidents to specific individuals, apparatus, or messaging groups.
If you would like to add additional dispatch groups to your IaR system, please contact iar-dispatch@rapidsos.com.
Can I create and send an incident to my mutual aid agencies?
Field responders can only send incidents to dispatch groups that exist within their own IamResponding system. Creating and sending incidents to mutual aid IaR systems is not currently available.
When logged into the ECC dispatcher portal, users can create and send incidents to any field agency that has been linked to the ECC portal.
Can I delete an incident once it has been created?
Similar to CAD incidents, manually created incidents cannot be deleted.
Can I create an incident when signed in as an apparatus?
Currently, incidents cannot be created when you are signed in as an apparatus.
Is there an event number assigned to each incident?
Yes, each incident will have a unique event number assigned once it's created. The event number, or "ID," can be found in the Incident Details section of an incident.
Will dispatch parsing rules apply to manual incidents?
No, any dispatch parsing rules applied to a dispatch group will not apply to manually created incidents. Dispatch parsing, including address mapping rules, is not needed for manual incidents because they are sent in a structured format where each individual field has been identified.
Please contact our team with any further questions at iar-dispatch@rapidsos.com or by completing this FORM.