The IaR website dashboard is highly customizable and can be configured to display critical information for your department on a station display. The article provides instructions on creating a "generic login" for station computers, which allows you to set up both a Non-Emergency Screen for daily use and an Emergency Screen that automatically triggers during an incident to show operational data like responder status and maps. It also offers guidance on suitable hardware, recommending Windows or Raspberry Pi computers over some smart TV alternatives. Additionally, the article explains how to upload your agency's logo and adjust automated settings to control how and when the dashboard updates. This setup ensures that your members have immediate access to vital information in a clear and effective format.
Customizing the IamResponding Website Dashboard
When you first log in to the IamResponding (IaR) website, you'll see the Website Dashboard. This dashboard is 95% user-specific, which means that most changes you make will only be visible to you. The remaining 5% consists of System Settings that you can adjust for all users.
To get started, watch this video on customizing the display:
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Website Customizable Display - Training Video
Create a Generic Login
After watching the video, you'll want to create your agency's first member. We recommend a "generic login" for use on your station's display computers. This user account should have no special permissions or additional settings on its profile. The purpose of this account is simply to display IaR on your station computers.
The only fields you need to complete for this profile are First Name, Last Name, Username, Password, and Email Address. It's often best to use your own email address for this generic login profile.
Note: Never leave a personal account logged in and unattended. Other members could accidentally access the site and change settings or profiles, and the system would log these changes under the wrong individual's name.
Customize the Non-Emergency and Emergency Screens
Using this generic login, you can customize two distinct views for your station's display:
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Non-Emergency Screen: This screen is what your members and the public will see when there's no incident taking place. You can include non-operational items like images, the events calendar, and the weather to make it fun and informative for your department.
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Emergency Screen: This screen is triggered when an incident occurs. You'll want to include essential operational items like who is responding, maps, and incident data. This screen is designed to provide your responding members with critical, up-to-the-minute information.
Typically, the Emergency Screen doesn't need to stay visible until an incident is completed. It should display just long enough for the first (and perhaps second) wave of responders to see the details—usually 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient. After this time, the automation will switch the dashboard back to the Non-Emergency Screen to await the next incident.
Automating Your Display for the Emergency Mode
You can set up your screen to automatically switch to Emergency Mode by adjusting your settings.
To access these options:
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Go to Administrative Functions.
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Select Settings.
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Choose Automatic Toggle View.
For the automation to work correctly, we recommend the following:
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Turn off all screen savers and disable sleep or hibernate modes on your computer.
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Ensure your computer does not limit or disable network connectivity after a certain period.
IaR needs uninterrupted access to your network and operating system to run these automations for you.
You may find this article helpful to troubleshoot any automated AUDIO issues.
Hardware for the IaR Website Display
Now that you have your own member account and a generic login for your station computer, you're ready to set up your display. The station display is simply the IaR website.
We recommend the following hardware and software:
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A computer running Windows 10 or later, with the most current version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
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A Raspberry Pi 3-5 with the most up-to-date versions of the RasPi OS.
When it comes to monitors, consider the viewing distance:
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For viewing distances of 1 to 6 feet, a computer monitor is ideal.
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For distances of 6+ feet, a TV monitor is a great choice.
Remember that bigger isn't always better. Focus on clarity and viewability so your members can easily read the information on screen. Many agencies try alternative hardware like Smart TVs, but what works today may not work tomorrow. We suggest sticking with a Windows OS or Raspberry Pi for the most reliable performance.
Once the CAD Text Incidents are functional, your screen can automatically switch between the Emergency and Non-Emergency screens to provide vital call information.
Uploading Your Agency's Logo
Your agency's logo is located in the upper-left corner of the IaR Website Dashboard. As an administrator, you can upload your patch, crest, or mascot to help members feel at home when they log in.
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Click the three lines in the upper-left corner.
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Select Administrative Functions.
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Hover over the System Settings button on the left.
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Under System Settings, go to Manage Subscriber Logo.
Automated System Settings
In the Administrative Functions section, under System Settings, you'll find many other agency-wide functions. You'll likely return to this section in the future to fine-tune options.
For now, focus on the Automatic Clear Screen and Automatic Toggle View options, which control how often your dashboard refreshes and switches between views.
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Automatic Clear Screen: This setting determines how long after a member's estimated time of arrival (ETA) their name will automatically clear from the "Now Responding" display.
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Automatic Toggle View: This setting controls when and for how long the dashboard switches between the Non-Emergency and Emergency modes.