Learn how to configure and manage the Live ETA feature to track responders and apparatus in real-time. This guide covers setting up response statuses, configuring apparatus profiles, and auditing member settings to ensure accurate arrival data during incidents..
Video Overview: Live ETA Configuration
This video provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the Live ETA feature. This tool gives your agency a real-time picture of exactly when help is arriving at the station or scene, ensuring the most accurate arrival data during an incident.
What you will learn:
- How to set reference points for Station, Scene, and Custom locations.
- Configuring apparatus profiles to track rigs as accurately as personnel.
- Final audits for member profiles to ensure seamless triggering.
Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
1. Access Admin Settings
Navigate to Menu Administrative Functions Settings Manage Response Statuses.
2. Configure Destinations
Click the three dots next to a status and select Edit Information:
- Station Response: Set Reference Point to Subscriber Location.
- Scene/Field Response: Set Reference Point to Incident Location.
- Fixed Sites (Secondary Stations/Marinas): Use Custom Location to drop a pin.
3. Apparatus and Member Audits
Repeat the process for Apparatus statuses. Finally, go to Members and ensure their Default App Response is NOT set to "Not Selected," or the ETA will not trigger.
If these options are not visible in your dashboard, please contact IAR-support@RapidSOS.com for feature enablement.
Why It Matters
- Reduces Guesswork - Provides clear, data-driven arrival estimates for responders.
- Enhances Situational Awareness - Gives personnel real-time visibility on responder locations and ETAs.
- Improves Response Coordination - Enables faster resource allocation and more informed decision-making when seconds count.
How ETA and Distance are Calculated
The Live Responder ETA feature calculates arrival times based on each responder's or apparatus's selected response option. These response options correspond with pre-configured destinations, which are determined by system administrators. When a user selects a response option (station, scene, etc.), laR calculates ETA from their current GPS position.
Device location services must be enabled for the laR mobile app.
Live tracking dynamically updates ETA as responders move.
ETA will update every 30 seconds, OR every 300 meters traveled by the user.
Users will be marked as arrived at their response destination when their ETA is 10 seconds or less, OR when they are within 30 meters of their destination.
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Real-time ETA is visible within the laR website dashboard and mobile apps.
Viewing Live Responder ETA in laR
Users can view live responder ETA within the laR mobile apps and website.
Respond Now Dashboard - When live ETA is available for responders, it will display next to the member name. The "Max ETA" field (designated within individual member profiles) will be replaced with live ETA when available.
Maps - Live ETA will also be visible when viewing responders or apparatus on the map when a response option with an associated physical location has been selected.
When responders or apparatus are within one minute of the response destination, time will be displayed in seconds instead of minutes.
Upon arrival at the response destination, the "Real ETA" time will disappear and "Distance" will show "Arrived".
Response Locations
Individual response options within laR may be associated with one of the following location types:
Subscriber Location - Physical address on file for the agency.
Custom Location - A pin can be dropped on a map to identify the desired response location.
Scene Location - The location of the incident being viewed is what will be utilized to calculate ETA.
Live ETA will only be available when a response is submitted from one of these locations in the application:
App push notification
Incident details page
Incident map page
Tracking may be enabled/disabled for each response option. When a user submits a response with tracking enabled, their device will be tracked, and real ETA will be calculated. Agency admins may adjust each response option location and enable/disable tracking within the administrative functions page on the laR website, under "Settings" "Manage Response Statuses".
To view the member's vehicle moving across the maps in real time along with the displayed ETA agency admins may go to administrative functions on the IaR website, under "Settings" "Mapping of Individuals" and toggle to "yes".
FAQ
Q: Is Live Responder ETA already enabled for all agencies?
A: The Live Responder feature needs to be enabled for your agency by the laR staff. Please Contact our Support Team for details. Agency admins can check to see if Live Responder ETA is already enabled by checking for the "Manage Response Statuses" page within the administrative functions on the laR website ("Administrative Functions" > "System Settings" > "Manage Response Statuses"). If this page is not visible, Live Responder ETA is not currently enabled.
Q: If a user does not have their device location services enabled for their laR app, and they submit a response where live ETA is available, what information will display on the "now responding" dashboard?
A: Live ETA will not be displayed. Max ETA, as determined within member profile settings, will be displayed instead.
Q: If a response option does not have a physical location saved, or if tracking is disabled, what will display on the "now responding" dashboard?
A: Live ETA will not be displayed. Max ETA, as determined within member profile settings, will be displayed instead.
Q: Is there a way for users to opt out of real-time ETA?
A: If real-time ETA is enabled for a subscriber, users may not opt out of the live ETA tracking. However, if location services are disabled within your device settings for the laR app, laR will not be able to calculate real-time ETA for that specific user.
Q: Can I change the distance measurement unit being displayed?
A: No, the current distance is only measured in miles.
Q: Is laR always tracking my device?
A: laR only tracks your device after a response has been submitted. When real ETA is enabled, laR will track you until you arrive at your indicated destination.