Fireground Manager User Guide

Prepare for the first practice incident

1. 1.Create your account and confirm your email when prompted. Sign in using the email address associated with your department invitation.
2. 2.Create the department if you are its first owner, or join the existing department through an invitation. Confirm the active department before entering any data.
3. 3.Configure organization lists, incident types, assignments, and defaults. Add at least one active roster member so an Incident Commander can be selected.
4. 4.Choose a department plan, invite the app users who need access, and have them sign in on their devices. Selecting a plan starts the 14-day free trial and enables incident creation. Before selecting a plan, you can configure the department and load its roster. Complete this preparation first to make full use of the trial.
5. 5.On an iPad, open Manage Incidents and select Start New. Use a clearly identified practice incident, choose the Incident Commander, and review its structure settings. The creating device becomes the primary board.
6. 6.On the primary board, add personnel, form a group, update an assignment and location, and complete a practice PAR.
7. 7.Open the same incident on a second device. Check live status, connected users, and a coordinated handoff. Finish by closing the practice incident and reviewing its report.

Know which record you are changing

App user

A person with an FGM login and a role in a department. App users consume the access capacity of a department plan.

Roster member

A saved firefighter/personnel profile that can be added to incidents. Creating one does not create a login or send an invitation.

Incident member

A person attached to one incident, with that incident's assignment, location, PAR status and history.

Primary board

The device authorized to make the main incident-board changes. Other connected boards receive synchronized information.

Incident Commander

The person designated to command the incident. This designation is separate from the device holding primary control.

Create an account and sign in

1. 1.Open Fireground Manager and choose the account creation option on the sign-in screen.
2. 2.Enter your first name, last name, email address and password. For an invitation, use the exact invited email address.
3. 3.Submit the form. If email confirmation is required, open the confirmation message and follow its instructions. Check junk mail if it does not arrive; use the resend confirmation option when available.
4. 4.Return to FGM and sign in with your email and password. Review and accept the user agreements when presented before continuing. If department access is missing, choose Check for Department Access before creating a new department.

Use the home screen

Switch departments

1. 1.On iPad, open Settings; on iPhone, open Account & Departments. Select the department-switching option in the Active Department area.
2. 2.Select a department to which your account has access. If you belong to only one department, a switch option may not appear.
3. 3.Confirm the department name and role after switching. Your role can differ between departments; roster, incidents, settings and plan information follow the active department.

Edit your profile or delete your account

Create a department

1. 1.If you have no department access, choose Set Up a New Department. From an existing department, use Settings > Create New Department when you need a genuinely separate organization.
2. 2.Enter the Department Name, Abbreviation and State. Use a consistent abbreviation that operators will recognize.
3. 3.Select Create. The account creating the department becomes its owner.
4. 4.Open Settings > Department Setup and confirm the details before building the organization and roster.

Configure the organization

Configure incident types, assignments, and defaults

1. 1.Open Settings > Incident Types and Defaults.
2. 2.Open Incident Types and maintain the choices your department needs, such as structure fire, vehicle incident or investigation.
3. 3.Open Assignments and maintain the operational tasks operators will select for members and groups.
4. 4.Select the Default Incident Type and save. Review the actual settings whenever starting an incident rather than assuming the default is appropriate.

Add a member manually

1. 1.Open Roster and select Roster Actions > Add Roster Member.
2. 2.Enter the member's name and available identifying information, including badge number. Set department, company, division, battalion and rank as applicable.
3. 3.Use the correct mutual-aid department when the member belongs to another organization. Set the record's active status appropriately.
4. 4.Save, then search for the person and review the result. Check for an existing record before adding another person with the same name.

Import a roster CSV

1. 1.Prepare a CSV file with the required headers First Name and Last Name.
2. 2.Add optional columns as needed: Badge Number, Department, Division, Battalion, Company, Rank, Notes and Active. Match configured organization and rank values.
3. 3.In Roster, choose Roster Actions > Import CSV, then Choose CSV File.
4. 4.Review the preview and summary. Records identified as duplicates are marked to be skipped. Resolve unexpected matches or missing information before importing.
5. 5.Select Import for the displayed number of members. Review the imported and skipped counts, then spot-check names, badge numbers, departments and ranks.

Scan a tag into the roster

Maintain records without confusing incident history

Invite an app user

1. 1.As an Owner or Administrator, open Settings > Users & Access.
2. 2.Review the department subscription and remaining app-user capacity. Pending invitations may reserve seats.
3. 3.Choose Invite User. Enter the person's email address and select the appropriate Access Role.
4. 4.Select Invite. Ask the recipient to create an FGM account or sign in using that same email address.
5. 5.Confirm that the recipient appears with the intended access. Department access is claimed when the person signs in using the invited address.

Change access or resolve an invitation

1. 1.In Users & Access, select the user and open the access editor.
2. 2.Change Role or Status as needed and save. Inactive users remain associated with the department but cannot access its FGM data until reactivated.
3. 3.Review Pending Invitations. Revoke an invitation that is no longer needed or was sent to the wrong address, then issue a corrected invitation if appropriate.

Choose a plan before creating incidents

1. 1.Sign in as an Owner or Administrator and confirm the active department.
2. 2.Open Department Plan on the home screen, or the subscription area in Users & Access.
3. 3.Review the available plan and application-user capacity. Standard capacity options are 5, 10 or 20 users, with custom arrangements available.
4. 4.Complete the available subscription flow and review any trial or renewal terms shown by Apple. For custom requirements, contact Fireground Manager through its website.
5. 5.Return to FGM and confirm that the correct department shows the expected plan and access capacity before creating an incident or sending additional invitations.

Restore an existing Apple purchase

Open the new incident form

1. 1.Open Manage Incidents and select Start New.
2. 2.Confirm the active department and complete the Incident information.
3. 3.Select an Incident Commander from the active roster. Chiefs are listed first, followed by captains, other officers and remaining members. Use the Home Department or Mutual Aid choices as appropriate.
4. 4.Review the Structure settings and Floor List Preview, then select Start Incident.
5. 5.Confirm the incident name, selected commander, elapsed timer and primary-board status. The device that creates the incident becomes its primary board. Ownership is device-specific and login-specific: signing in with the same account on another device does not automatically transfer control.

Read the incident screen

Change the building and side labels

1. 1.Select Incident Config and choose Building Shape. Select No Building for an incident where the outline would distract from the tactical grid.
2. 2.Use Rotate Building 90° Clockwise as needed. This rotates the footprint only; it does not change Side A or the A/B/C/D designations.
3. 3.Turn Show A/B/C/D Side Designations on or off. Set Side A Location to Top, Right, Bottom or Left to match the agreed incident orientation.
4. 4.Review the board with the other operators, then select Done. Side labels can remain visible even when No Building is selected.

Set time checks and the command post

Add personnel from the roster

1. 1.On the primary board, select Add Member to Incident.
2. 2.Use Roster, search, department filters or company filters to find the person. Hide Members Already Added can reduce the list.
3. 3.Select the correct member and confirm Add Member to Incident. Check the incident personnel list before repeating the action.
4. 4.Open the added member and review status, assignment, operational location and floor as appropriate.

Add a temporary member

1. 1.In Add Personnel, choose Manual Quick Add.
2. 2.Enter the name and badge number if known. Indicate Mutual Aid Member when appropriate and fill in department, company, division, battalion and rank as available.
3. 3.Select Add, then verify the person on the incident board. Temporary members belong to this incident and are not automatically saved to the permanent roster.

Scan an accountability tag

1. 1.In Add Personnel, choose Scan Tag and allow camera access when requested.
2. 2.Hold the tag clearly in view and review the recognized text and Suggested Matches.
3. 3.Confirm the correct member before adding them. If there is no confident match, select the correct roster member, rescan, or return to Manual Quick Add.
4. 4.Check the incident list for the new member. A similar name, an unclear tag, or an already-added record requires review rather than repeated scanning.

Edit member details and operational state

Change the Incident Commander

Create a group

1. 1.Add the personnel to the incident first, then select Create Group.
2. 2.Enter a recognizable Group Name, such as a company identifier or assigned team name.
3. 3.Set the group Status, Assignment and Floor / Location as appropriate.
4. 4.Select the personnel who belong together. The available list excludes members already assigned to a group.
5. 5.Review the selected count and supervisor, then select Create. The highest-ranking selected member is assigned as supervisor; ties are resolved by selection order.

Move members and groups

1. 1.Choose Move in Board Mode so a drag moves an icon rather than drawing a line.
2. 2.Drag the member or group to its intended board position. Review its details afterward when the move should also change operational location or floor.
3. 3.To add a member to a group using drag and drop, drop the member onto the intended group and read the confirmation before accepting.
4. 4.If the member already belongs to another group, confirm the intended membership change and inspect both groups afterward.

Change a group and its members

Dissolve or release a group

Start and work through a PAR

1. 1.On the primary board, select PAR Check or Start PAR Check when offered by a time-check reminder.
2. 2.Review the active round and the personnel included. Follow the department's normal radio/accountability procedure to obtain actual responses.
3. 3.Update each member's PAR result as responses are confirmed. Tap the PAR status button once to mark PAR OK. Press and hold it, or tap its down arrow, to select another PAR result.
4. 4.Setting a group's PAR status applies the same result to every member of that group. Confirm the result for the entire group before applying it.
5. 5.Inspect unresolved and exception results. Confirm that the recorded result describes what is known, especially for No Response, Missing or Unknown.
6. 6.Complete the round using its completion control when the record is ready. Review the summary and any remaining exceptions.

Review current status and PAR history

Increase the alarm level

1. 1.Check the current alarm level shown on the board.
2. 2.Select the displayed Transmit Next Alarm action, such as Transmit 2nd Alarm, and confirm when prompted.
3. 3.Check the new alarm level and the timeline entry. Coordinate the actual alarm request through your department's dispatch and communications procedure.

Record significant events and a Mayday

1. 1.Select Significant Events and choose the appropriate milestone, such as Water Supply Established, Water on the Fire, Overhaul Starting or Searches Complete.
2. 2.Complete any information requested and confirm the event.
3. 3.Check the status chip and incident timeline. On the iPhone Command Board, recorded significant events also show their timestamps.

Add a note and review the timeline

1. 1.Select Add Incident Note and enter a clear factual note.
2. 2.Save the note and open Timeline to confirm the entry.
3. 3.Review the sequence of actions and recorded events. Use the available timeline export/share action when a copy is needed, or include the timeline in the incident report.

Draw on the board

1. 1.Choose Draw in Board Mode and select a color. Draw the needed markings on the tactical grid.
2. 2.Use Erase to remove a mark, or Undo and Redo to correct a recent drawing action.
3. 3.Use Clear Board only when the displayed confirmation describes the drawing you intend to remove. It clears free-form drawing, not the incident itself.
4. 4.Return to Move before dragging personnel or groups. Check synchronization before leaving or handing off the primary board.

Open the same incident on another device

1. 1.Sign in on the second device with an account authorized for the same department.
2. 2.Select the same department and open the existing incident from Manage Incidents. Do not create another incident with the same name.
3. 3.Check the incident identity, live connection status and primary-board status. The secondary board receives synchronized updates. Signing in with the same account does not transfer control; editing the main board remains controlled by the primary device. Use a coordinated handoff when another device should take control.
4. 4.Keep the incident open while observing. Confirm the other operator's device and user before arranging any transfer.

See who is connected

1. 1.Tap the primary-board/synchronization status to open Board synchronization.
2. 2.Review Connected users above Manage primary board. Each card identifies the user, device, mode, role and recent contact information.
3. 3.Use the PRIMARY label to identify the current controlling board. An eligible receiving board offers Transfer to this board.
4. 4.If a device is missing, confirm that it is online, on the same incident, running a compatible app version and keeping the incident open in the foreground.

Understand connection loss

1. 1.If communication is interrupted, coordinate verbally with the primary operator and check the displayed status.
2. 2.When the connection returns, reopen synchronization details and use Retry synchronization if offered.
3. 3.If primary control changed during the interruption, follow Load current incident and retained-work instructions before continuing. Do not attempt to force old queued changes onto the current incident.

Coordinated handoff overview

Transfer using Connected users

1. 1.On the current primary, open Board synchronization and find the intended receiving user and device.
2. 2.Select Transfer to this board on that specific eligible device card. Primary, phone and other ineligible entries do not offer a transfer action.
3. 3.Review the receiving board and enter the reason requested. Select Save and request handoff. The sending board saves pending work and pauses editing.
4. 4.On the receiving board, review the highlighted handoff notification. Confirm the requesting person, device and reason.
5. 5.Select Accept primary control. The receiving device loads the current incident and becomes primary. It can also select Decline handoff.
6. 6.Confirm the primary indicator on both devices before resuming board work.

Transfer using the four-digit code

1. 1.On the current primary iPad, tap Primary board to open Board synchronization, then select Manage Primary Board.
2. 2.Under Coordinated handoff, select Save and prepare for handoff. Give the displayed four-digit code to the authorized receiving operator.
3. 3.On the receiving full-board device, open the same incident and select Manage Primary Board from the board synchronization screen. Keep Emergency takeover off.
4. 4.Enter the four-digit code and a reason for transfer. For a practice handoff, use Testing. Check the confirmation that you coordinated with the primary operator, then select Make This Device Primary.
5. 5.Confirm that the receiving board has loaded the current incident and is shown as primary.

Use emergency takeover only when normal handoff is unavailable

1. 1.Coordinate with the incident operators and confirm the primary device cannot be recovered for a normal handoff.
2. 2.On an eligible full-board device, sign in as an Owner, Administrator or Accountability / Safety user and open the incident.
3. 3.Open Board synchronization > Manage primary board, then select Emergency takeover.
4. 4.Read and acknowledge the warning that unsynchronized work may be missing. Enter a reason and confirm coordination or that the old device cannot be recovered.
5. 5.Use Refresh board information to check eligibility. Emergency takeover requires at least two minutes without primary contact; the server determines when takeover is allowed. Follow any additional restriction displayed on screen.
6. 6.When enabled, select Make This Device Primary. Load the current incident if prompted and confirm the primary indicator.
7. 7.Reconcile personnel, assignments, locations, current PAR and recent events with the operators before relying on the restored view.

When the former primary returns

If transfer cannot proceed

1. 1.Check that the receiving device is a full board rather than an iPhone, Command Board mode or scan mode.
2. 2.Check the receiving user's role and active department membership.
3. 3.Keep the incident open and online on the receiving device so its presence is current.
4. 4.For a normal handoff, check that the code or request has not expired.
5. 5.For emergency takeover, refresh eligibility and follow the displayed reason for any remaining restriction.

Choose the right phone mode

Use Command Board

1. 1.Open Command Board mode and choose the incident in the active department.
2. 2.Confirm its name, alarm information, elapsed time and connection state.
3. 3.Review personnel, completed PAR and team/group counts, then scroll through the operational snapshot and any exceptions.
4. 4.Expand PAR Status to see the active round or most recent completed information. Collapse it when you need more space.
5. 5.Review significant events and their timestamps beside the status icon. Active Mayday information is emphasized.
6. 6.Expand the timeline to review entries; its collapsed view retains the latest event. Scroll within the displayed timeline as needed.

Use Scan to an Incident

1. 1.Select Scan to an Incident and choose the correct active incident before scanning.
2. 2.Confirm the incident name shown under Scanning into. Allow camera access when requested.
3. 3.Scan the accountability tag, review recognized text and suggested roster matches, and confirm the correct person.
4. 4.Check the result and continue with the next member. Coordinate with the primary-board operator to verify additions are visible there.
5. 5.Use Incidents to return to incident selection before scanning into a different incident.

Leave without closing

Release members before concluding the record

Close and reopen

1. 1.Review personnel, any active PAR, notes and significant events. Resolve outstanding recording tasks before closing.
2. 2.On the authorized primary board, select Close Incident and read the confirmation.
3. 3.Confirm closure. The incident becomes historical and read-only, and its elapsed duration is preserved.
4. 4.Open the incident from History to review its board, timeline, PAR history or report.
5. 5.If a correction requires reopening, have an Owner or Administrator use Reopen Incident and confirm the action. Recheck board control before making changes, then close the incident again when finished.

Find incidents in Manage Incidents

Archive and unarchive

1. 1.Find the closed incident you want to remove from the normal list.
2. 2.Select Archive. Check that the incident is marked archived and no longer appears in All or the normal History list.
3. 3.Select Archived to find it again. Other search/date filters can still narrow the results.
4. 4.Select unArchive to return it to the normal historical list. The incident remains closed unless separately reopened.

Review an incident report

1. 1.Open the completed incident through Manage Incidents > History, or Archived if it is archived.
2. 2.Open its report and verify the incident identity and time range.
3. 3.Review the recorded board, personnel, groups, PAR rounds, alarm changes and timeline. Final recorded positions are shown; released personnel and groups remain listed even when absent from the final board picture.
4. 4.Select Share PDF to create a shareable report. Choose the intended destination in the device's share sheet and inspect the resulting document.

Review organization reports

1. 1.From Manage Incidents, open Reports when your role provides access.
2. 2.Confirm the active department and select the date range. Use the custom range controls when a specific start and end date is needed.
3. 3.Filter by incident Status, Incident Type or Incident Commander as needed.
4. 4.Select Refresh to reload the report. Review the summary and incident list, and open individual incidents for supporting detail.
5. 5.Use Clear Filters to remove secondary filters when results appear incomplete, and separately verify the selected date range.

Review temporary members and roster corrections

What you see / What to check

Before a tester session

1. 1.Record the app version/build and use clearly named practice incidents. On iPhone, the version and build appear at the bottom of the mode-selection screen.
2. 2.Use two devices and appropriate test accounts when checking live refresh, presence and handoff.
3. 3.Check setup, roster import, member intake, group changes, PAR, events, drawing and report export.
4. 4.Exercise leave versus close, archive versus unarchive, and reopening with an authorized account.
5. 5.Test interrupted connections and transfer recovery in a controlled practice session; inspect queued or retained work afterward.

Report a problem clearly