Dispatching
The dispatching tab is best used with a dedicated dispatcher and a computer but can also be used on an iPad or tablet. The main difference between dispatching a call and using the submit incident tab is that it requires a smaller amount of guard interaction, better accountability, and more oversight.
Dispatching a Call
From left to right we have our units, call types, and locations. These are the three main options to select that will make up a dispatch.
Managing the Dispatch Queue
The dispatch queue is a list view of all the active calls you have dispatched. You can use the incidents tab to view every call for service, or the units tab to view all the active units dispatched.
The color key indicates the current state of a dispatch.
- Blue: pending
- Orange: en route
- Green: on scene
- Red: complete
Calls can be edited at any point and all users subscribed to the dispatch tab will receive near instant updates.
Dispatch Queue for User Accounts
User accounts can also use the dispatch queue to view all the active calls they have dispatched. This is a great way to keep track of all the calls you have dispatched and to see the status of each call. They are not able to dispatch and are only able to edit some call information.
They also see a slightly different experience. Instead of having an "Incidents" and "Units" tab. They have a "My Dispatches" and "Incidents" tab. The "My Dispatches" tab will show calls associated with the resource they assigned themselves using the daily assignment form in the top right of the screen.
Dispatch Settings
The dispatch settings tab allows you to customize the dispatching experience. You can change resource and location categoires, as well as move them in and out of service.
Closing a Call
When a call completes, simply press the C+ or C button on the left hand of the queued item. The C+ button will allow you to embelish the call with additional info quickly, while th C button just closes the call quickly.
Changing Dispatch Status
Resource dispatch status can be changed in two ways. Either, you can go to the units tab and click the appropriate button ER (en route), OS (on scene) or C (complete) or you can click the unit badge in the queue and edit the status in the modal.