In the field, every second counts. So does every decision. That’s why we built Lightning.
Whether you're Law, EMS, Fire, or part of another emergency response discipline, one thing is certain: having access to the right information at the right time can mean the difference between a successful outcome and a delayed response. At RapidDeploy, our mission has always been to equip responders with technology that helps them move faster, safer, and smarter. Today, we’re highlighting a powerful new capability in our Lightning mobile app: Disciplines.
Lightning extends the power of NG911 beyond the communications center and directly into the hands of field responders. Now, with Disciplines, Lightning becomes even more intelligent by adapting to each user’s assigned role in real time.
Disciplines is a dynamic feature that tailors Lightning’s interface, events, alerts, and map views to the responder’s discipline, whether that is Law, EMS, Law, Fire, or another service. The result is a focused, distraction-free experience that puts only the most relevant information in front of each responder.
Context matters in emergency response. Cluttered maps, cross-discipline notifications, and irrelevant data can create noise during moments when clarity is critical. This can slow down decision-making at the exact moment when time matters most.
With the Disciplines feature in Lightning, responders gain a clearer, more focused view of what’s happening around them, based specifically on their role. Responders are now able to:
For example, a paramedic responding to a medical call at a crowded event, like a concert, does not need to see alerts about thefts at a nearby store, a fire-related incident across town, or traffic enforcement activities unrelated to their role. With Disciplines active, the paramedic's map and alerts are filtered down to show only EMS-specific content. This improves focus, reduces clutter, and enables faster action in time-sensitive scenarios.
As another example, consider this same EMS responder is assigned to a large-scale Fourth of July parade. The ECC is using Radius Mapping while the EMS responder is using Lightning to manage a shared operational picture, supported by Critical Incident Boards, geofenced alerts, and real-time responder locations. Dozens of map pins may be enabled in Lightning during this event: reports of heat exhaustion, missing persons reports, and suspicious activity. Suddenly, a 911 call comes in for a woman experiencing chest pains along the parade route.
Without Disciplines, the responder must sift through the operational noise of unrelated incidents to search through the map to locate the incident around the parade route. That search can cost precious time, however with Disciplines enabled, the map is filtered to show only EMS events and resources—like AED locations, triage zones, and pre-marked incident geofences. The paramedic can quickly identify the call, navigate using map markups created by the ECC, and coordinate with nearby responders using Lightning’s live location tracking. This clarity and focus can help her respond directly to the emergencies that she is responsible for, improving response time and care.
To learn more about using Lightning to manage the complexities of emergency response during live, large events, download our Ebook.
At RapidDeploy, our customers are at the heart of everything we do and the launch of our new Disciplines feature reflects that commitment. This enhancement was driven directly by our customers’ feedback—from ECC administrators seeking more control in Radius Mapping to field responders asking for a more focused mobile experience in Lightning, we heard you, and we acted. Disciplines was built to meet these needs, empower teams in the field, and ensure that our innovation and product enhancements are prioritized and built to help our customers respond faster, smarter, and safer.
Disciplines is part of the core Lightning experience, and is available to all Lightning-enabled ECCs equipped with Radius Mapping, with no separate activation needed. ECCs simply configure their desired disciplines in Radius Admin, and their responders will benefit from a personalized, filtered view in the field.
1. ECC Configuration in Radius Admin
ECC administrators define the list of Disciplines available within their agency (such as Law, EMS, Fire, or Other). They can assign one or more disciplines to each user, manage auto-assignment settings for calls, and determine whether responders see untriaged signals or not.
2. User Experience in Lightning
Responders open the Lightning app and select which of their assigned Disciplines they want to view. Lightning updates instantly to display:
3. Flexible Use with Administrative Control
Users who are assigned multiple disciplines can toggle between them in the app depending on their current assignment. ECCs retain control over which disciplines a responder is allowed to see, ensuring the right balance of flexibility and oversight.
As public safety agencies embrace the future of mobile-first emergency response, one emerging priority is ensuring that information delivered to the field is both real-time and role-specific. In high-pressure environments, overwhelming responders with irrelevant data can delay decisions and increase risk. To operate at peak efficiency, field teams need workflows and notifications that are filtered, focused, and purpose-built for their responsibilities.
By integrating this type of role-based response into mobile workflows, field responders will now have:
Disciplines also delivers significant benefits to the command center. While responders gain clarity and focus in the field, ECC administrators gain the tools and visibility they need to manage operations more effectively with:
To learn more about the role of NG911 in mobile response, download our latest Ebook Enhancing Field Operations, where we explore the role of disciplines in field response in greater detail.
If your ECC is already using Lightning, Disciplines is available now. Administrators can begin setting up and assigning disciplines in Radius Admin today.
Disciplines is purpose-built for the complex demands of modern emergency response, and your teams can work faster, smarter, and safer than ever before. Now is the perfect time to equip your field responders with Lightning.
Every responder deserves a mobile experience built around their role. Now they have it.
Discover what role-based intelligence can do for your agency.
Need a walkthrough or demo?
Reach out to your RapidDeploy Customer Success Manager or contact us today to learn more.
🔗 Visit rapiddeploy.com/lightning for more information.
