Dispatcher Resources

There are a combination of factors that come into play when using Beacon to track responder location. Common external factors to Beacon that play a role in the functions for the Web Dispatcher pages and Mobile App users are:

• Network stability & connection speed
• Signal Strength
• GPS Accuracy in the area

Taking the above into consideration lets now revise settings directly related to Beacon and the devices used to access the platform.

• Device Settings for GPS Tracking
  • Android
  • iOS
• Beacon Mobile App GPS Tracking Settings
• Tracking Responders
  • Through the Web App
  • Through the Mobile App

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Device Settings for GPS Tracking

Android Settings

1. Locate and Press-hold the Beacon App icon
2. Press the Info icon on the emergent dialog
3. Locate and Press on Permissions
4. Under App Permissions, select Location
5. Choose the Location access permission that aligns with the selected Beacon App GPS Tracking setting (discussed on the next section)
   • Important: If the device OS Location permissions for Beacon do not align with the Beacon App GPS Tracking settings, the Beacon platform tracking features for Supervisors and Dispatchers will not work properly
   • We suggest for users to select option ‘Allow all the time‘ for Beacon to have access to your device’s location feature and then set the GPS Tracking preference inside the mobile app for Beacon to perform tracking as described according to the in-app setting selection (see next section Beacon Mobile App GPS Tracking Settings)
6. Enable Use precise location in order for Beacon to register the correct location

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iOS Settings

1. Go to the iPhone Settings app
2. Scroll down, locate and press the Beacon app from the list
3. On the Beacon settings screen press Location
4. Choose the Location access permission that aligns with the selected Beacon App GPS Tracking setting (discussed on the next section)
   • Important: If the device OS Location permissions for Beacon do not align with the Beacon App GPS Tracking settings, the Beacon platform tracking features for Supervisors and Dispatchers will not work properly
   • We suggest for users to select option ‘Allow all the time’ for Beacon to have access to your device’s location feature and then set the GPS Tracking preference inside the mobile app for Beacon to perform tracking as described according to the in-app setting selection (see next section Beacon Mobile App GPS Tracking Settings)
5. Enable Precise Location in order for Beacon to register the correct location

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Beacon Mobile App GPS Tracking Settings

Beacon will collect and display the mobile app user’s GPS location based on the frequency that the user has granted to Beacon through the mobile app’s Settings page, specifically:

Important:

• Unless otherwise instructed by your management, we recommend that you select “Only During Incidents” if your phone isn’t plugged into a constant power source in order to prevent the GPS tracking from draining your battery.
• The GPS location of Beacon mobile app users is also determined by their permission settings within the device itself – i.e., if the user has turned off location services for the entire device, it doesn’t matter what settings they choose within the Beacon mobile app
• Additionally, the user’s GPS location will never be tracked when their status is set to “Off-Duty” or when the mobile app is terminated/swipe-closed.

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Tracking Responders

Tracking responders through the Web Dispatch Dashboard

All Web Dispatchers and Managers (Beacon web user accounts) can see and track responders on the Dashboard map once the responders have completed set up for Location Sharing.

1. Ping — Use this button to retrieve and update the latest location for other responders on the map
2. Open the Responders Tab to see the list of responders
3. Press any responder name and the map will center on their responder icon
4. Press the responder icon on the map to open the Responder Info card
5. Responder Info Card — It will display information like the responder’s location, incident information if the responder is involved in any incident and action button (Call)

There are external factors that could enhance Beacon’s performance including GPS Tracking features. Click here to learn more about External Factors.

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Tracking responders through the Mobile App

Special permissions are required in order to visualize other responders on the Home Screen Map (read more about Special Permissions).

1. Ping — Use this button to retrieve and update the latest location for other responders on the map (Special Permissions needed to use this feature)
2. Open the sidebar to see the list of responders
3. Press any responder name and the map will center on their responder icon
4. Press the responder icon on the map to open the Responder Info card
5. Responder Info Card — It will display information like the responder’s location, incident information if the responder is involved in any incident and action buttons (Chat | Call)