Location data is a cornerstone of effective emergency response. From the instant a 911 call is placed, knowing the caller's location, the precise site of the incident, and the real-time position of every responding resource is critically important. When public safety agencies and all responding teams know exactly where other responders are in relation to an ongoing emergency, resources can be allocated more effectively, tactical decisions can be made more safely, and communication can flow seamlessly across teams and units. A recent study found that having location capabilities for emergency response personnel led to better situational awareness and improved overall response (Globestar).
However, when a field responder is off-duty or on a break, it is important for the emergency communication center to know that a law, fire, or EMS responder is not actively on duty, and therefore they should NOT dispatch the off-duty responder to the scene of the emergency. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Lightning’s new Workforce Status feature supports privacy, gives users control over their visibility to the Emergency Communications Center (ECC), and ensures agencies have accurate data during critical moments that matter.
At the heart of RapidDeploy’s solution is a commitment to unified situational awareness, powered by detailed, precise mapping. The Radius Mapping platform and the field responder-focused Lightning mobile app work together to create a single, shared operating picture. Mission-critical data—such as caller location, points of interest, and responder positions—is consistently visible in both the ECC and on the responder’s mobile device. This cohesive mapping environment allows telecommunicators and field responders to make real-time decisions based on the same, complete view of the emergency.
However, without the ability to give field responders control over their on-duty or off-duty status, a responder’s location could potentially be shared continuously, leading to an inaccurate reflection of their proximity to an event and their ability to respond quickly. To mitigate this, RapidDeploy has introduced Workforce Status. Now available in the Lightning Mobile App, responders can self-select their status with a single tap, choosing between “On Duty”, “On a Break”, or “Off Duty.” Then, this status is used to determine a responder’s visibility on the map; only those responders who are “On Duty” will have their active location information shared with other responders and the dispatch center.
With this added layer of control, agencies can now rely on location data as a true reflection of who is available in the field to respond to an emergency.
Accurate information is central to actionable 911 intelligence. By showing only who is on duty and active on the Radius and Lightning maps, the wider team now knows who is available in the critical moments of an emergency. This capability helps to reduce uncertainty and improve resource coordination, eliminating time that may otherwise be spent tracking down personnel or radioing updates to see who is available.
When responders have a transparent view of team locations and resources, they can better manage their response strategy, keep track of officers, and prioritize officer safety. Sergeant Steven Puryear of the Reedley Police Department in California emphasized this when recalling a recent emergency where his team was tracking down a stolen car. Visibility into team locations increased overall collaboration and the speed of their response:
“During a stolen car call, we used the app’s AVL feature to coordinate seamlessly in the field. Without needing to rely on constant radio communication, we split up based on our mapped locations and quickly tracked down the car. The app made teamwork effortless.”
Location accuracy becomes even more important during large-scale or cross-disciplinary incidents, where interagency collaboration and resource planning are critical. Without clear, shared availability statuses of the responding workforces, coordination could slow or even break down.
During the 2023 Maui wildfires, telecommunicator Johnel Davila detailed how vital it was to have Radius Mapping as a resource to facilitate communication, understand where responders were located, and make resourcing decisions.
These real-world stories exemplify how location data strengthens coordination across emergencies, from everyday calls to mass emergencies. When responders can trust that responder location and mapping data reflect the true status of the responders in the field, agencies gain the clarity they need to make faster decisions, reduce response times, and protect both their teams on the frontlines and the communities they serve.
As Next Generation 911 becomes embedded in agency operations and workflows, it’s more important than ever to protect information that is shared. The Workforce Status capability in Lightning helps strengthen this foundation by giving responders the autonomy to manage their own visibility in the field. When responders can self-select when their location is shown, this honors privacy and cultivates trust.
Beyond the right to privacy protection, giving responders more autonomy has been shown to improve morale, strengthen retention, and lead to healthier team dynamics. This is especially true for younger responders entering the workforce who are accustomed to transparency and control over the tools they use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a mixed-methods study found that when responders have feelings of autonomy at work, there is less turnover and role abandonment (SAGE Journals). Another study found that having control and autonomy helps to minimize the emotional labor experienced when working in post-disaster environments (Brooks et Al., 2018).
Workforce Status in Lightning supports these expectations and helps to create an environment of trust, transparency, and respect. This directly benefits everyone involved: responders know their location is private when they are not active, and telecommunications receive reliable location data that is self-reported and precise. This balance leads to more engaged teams, healthier operational dynamics, and ultimately, better outcomes for the communities they serve.
While accurate location data is essential during the height of fast-moving emergencies, it also plays an important role in resource planning. Over time, a transparent history of responder location gives supervisors a clearer view of how, when, and where teams are deployed, including when resources are unavailable or maxed out. This data can be used to better inform staffing decisions, shift planning, and inform long-term resource strategies to help prevent burnout and support a sustainable workload across employees and agencies.
A clear record of responder availability and location data also strengthens post-emergency reporting. Supervisors can more accurately analyze response timelines, identify points of friction, and refine protocols based on what actually happened. The result is a more accountable, informed, and resilient operational environment that continuously improves with each incident.
As public safety agencies continue to adopt NG911 and data-driven tools, empowering responders with control over their shared location information will be essential. Workforce Status marks an important shift away from top-down systems and gives responders the keys to managing their own availability, privacy, and workflow. For responders, this empowers accountability, protects personal time, and fosters a healthy working environment. For agencies, this means more accurate data, better decision-making, and an accurate reflection of what’s happening in the field.
When responders are working from the same source of truth, coordination becomes smoother and response becomes stronger. Workforce Status is a meaningful step toward that future, giving responders control over their visibility and agencies the clarity they need for safe, effective operations.
