When you first log in, you see the main screen, which displays Incoming Reports from the people using your app, Text-a-Tip, webform and more.

  BEST PRACTICE

Immediately respond to Incoming Reports.  You MUST attend to incoming Reports as soon as possible.  These reports are coming in real-time.  That means when a Report arrives, a user sent it, literally, within seconds before.  The safety of the people you are protecting and the effectiveness of this system depend on your timely response.

Incoming Reports: From the Reports menu, select Incoming Reports. A Report will include the date, time, text (optional) and the sender's information if provided. The sender can chose to send the Report anonymously as well. If a GPS is included a location map will be displayed.

When a person submits a Report, they may optionally include a photo or video from their library.

The same applies for the description. It’s up to the sender to decide how much information they wish to provide in their Report. You might see detailed information, or you might not. The app user also chooses a Report Type and Report Location from the list of choices on your app. 

New Reports trigger a sound to notify the operator of its arrival. An alert icon will flash in the incoming tab as well. Operators should take action to address this new Report.


To View Report Details click a Report in the incoming list

Report Status: The dispatcher may assign classification to any Report by clicking on one of the choices shown below. Reports may be classified as being New Reports, Active, Closed, Trash, and, Tests. The dispatcher may update the status of each Report at any time.

  • New Reports: Reports that have recently arrived and are awaiting a decision on the status. Not yet decided or settled.
  • Active: The Report is currently active and ready to be managed by dispatcher.
  • Closed: The issue is settled and the Report is closed.
  • Trash: The Report is no longer needed.
  • Tests: Test Reports are sent by new users. This helps them become familiar with the app


To file the Reports into these statuses, set the appropriate File as: status on the Report Entry. 

You can bulk move to trash or closed by clicking on the gear on the right of a Report item. Bulk move will move the selected item and all older items to the chosen status.

Folders

Select any one of the Report folders to see a list of Reports that were assigned to that status. Some have contact information and/or text, while others won’t. Remember, your app(if available) allows the sender to report anonymously if they choose. To see more Reports, select Load More at the bottom of the list. The incoming list auto-refreshes periodically, approximately every 30 seconds.

  People might find themselves in an area where there’s no cellular or WIFI connectivity. The smartphone app is able to create a Report even if there’s limited or no connectivity. There will, however, be a delay in the sending process and it won’t be transmitted until adequate connectivity is reestablished. The transmission of Reports may be delayed due to poor network connectivity. The app user, again, should send the Report anyway. It will be transmitted to the ELERTS EPICenter™ console as soon as connectivity is detected.