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Using the Dispatch and Calls Screens

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The Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) module is divided into two screens, the Dispatch screen and the Calls screen.

Use the Dispatch screen to dispatch calls, update the status of calls and units, and quickly add new calls.

Use the Calls screen to add new calls and update the status of calls and units.

Using the Dispatch screen

The Dispatch screen is divided into the following areas:
  • Pending Calls: Displays any calls that have been received but not dispatched.
  • Active Calls: Displays any calls that have been dispatched but not closed. In the Units column, the primary units on the call are displayed in green.
  • Recently Closed Calls: Displays any calls that were closed within the last 24 hours.  
  • Active Units: Displays any units that are on duty, either on a call or available for dispatch. This area is divided into tabs for each unit type and displays the total number of units in the upper-right corner. The status On Duty is displayed with white text and a green background to make available units easy to see.

    TIP: To view all active units, regardless of unit type, select the All tab.

  • Inactive Units: Displays any units that are not on duty. This area is divided into tabs for each unit type, and displays the total number of units in the upper-right corner.
NOTE: Unit types can be customized by your administrator. If your administrator makes changes to the unit types, then the changes appear when your next session begins. 

TIP: Click a call or unit, and then select View from the list to view details about the call or unit. The View option is available in all areas of the Dispatch screen, except the Activity Log area.

To dispatch a unit, see the article "Dispatching Calls."  To quickly add a call, see the article "Using the Quick Call Feature."

Understanding warnings on the Dispatch screen

In the Pending Calls, Active Calls, and Active Units areas, in the Time column, a warning flag is applied when the amount of time established by your administrator has passed. 

The warning flag is displayed as a red background with white text. These warnings alert dispatchers of calls or units that have not updated their status recently. When the status of a call or unit is updated, the time resets.

NOTE: If the status of a call is updated, then the statuses of the units on the call are updated as well.

If desired, the warnings on a call or unit can be toggled on or off. For example, if a unit is on duty, but at their desk doing paperwork, then the time warning for that unit can be toggled off.

To toggle the warnings for a call or unit:
  1. In the appropriate area on the Dispatch screen, locate the call or unit.
  2. Click the call or unit, and then select Toggle Warnings from the list. The warnings show or hide as appropriate.

Using the Calls screen

The Calls screen displays any Call records that are open for editing. If no calls are displayed, then click the Add New Call link to add a new call. See the article "Adding Calls."

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