I have atak downloaded and have attempted to use it. I don’t think it is the easiest to use for IA, I could see it’s benefit for extended incidents for a divs or branch, but at the end of the day a simple mapping UI is all I want as a heqb, femp, fobs. Not that ATAK can’t do that, it is just user intensive to know how to use it.
I have an android so my toes are submerged. Back Country Nav is only an android app as well. I’ve been introduced to atak while on the line doing overhead but have never been shown actually how to us it. I’ve hit the atak link a few times and quickly got out as it appears to be just a pdf about it a d not any thing usable mapping wise. Of course I’m sure I’m wrong and just have no clue.
Like many things worth knowing its gonna take some reps and familiarity to use ATAK to its fullest. Put the time in and its well worth it.
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Ive been using Cal Topo for the last few years for 1st and 2nd days after ignition if no plans or GIS are around. With perimeter I can bust out a clean map with QR code and fire symbols in 5 to 10 mins. Excellent application. Highly recommend.
Oh, and ATAK is excellent for I.A. All fire folks should be learning it right now.
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any plans to offer an apple version? I don’t have the option to go android for my work device
There is an apple version iTAK but unfortunately just very behind in development. It would be ok for like tracking someone but not there yet with geopdf etc. its not on the playstore.
Is there a way to import incident maps into CalTopo for iPhone? I am playing with importing the Dixie Ops map into CalTopo on my phone but I’m not having any luck importing it from the Box QR code.
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In the menu there is a tab scan the QR and save to mapsheets, then back in the menu select mapsheets and display in map.
The QR goes directly to the box site. Then the usual multiple steps from there. Beyond that, I cannot get the map into Caltopo. So…any thoughts on getting the map into CalTopo from the ftp site?
So you want to be able to get local map off your device into caltopo. Go to box download said map and import into caltopo directly from your device. Let me look into it for you. The CalFire folks have one QR that takes you to a file repo for all of their products. They dont do individual QRs for each map.
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So not being a big user of the caltopo app I usually use the web software to make a geopdf not display i did run into this issue. I was able to download a map from the box.com on to my device (yes i also have an iphone) and then from caltopo use the import feature to browse for the map. I sees the map but its greyed out. So does cal topo app import geopdfs? If so what are we missing?
After screwing around more seems like you need to get the geopdf into a folder where it can be used as a map sheet. Im sure if you did a little googling it will be out there.
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AJ, the map sheet option may work. The other import function is for map objects thats why its probably graying out. Option may be available in paid version for more customizing if you have that? I will try on desktop tomorrow. Worth calling Cal Topo, they’ll tell ya in 5 seconds and they’re awesome.
Just wondering… should you be doing this? Are you confusing people with calling this an update? Considering you are not a part of the team or the unit not sure if your map tour and interpretation of what has occurred without any direct knowledge is a good idea.
Zeke has been providing excellent, timely information for several northstate fires. I seriously doubt anyone is confused. He is using the same information CalFire is using to develop and present their updates. Take a peek at the Dixie fire page and scroll through his posts.
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I agree with your optics bogusthunder as well. I ask the same thing about the Intel Aviation Platforms that as far as I know are not assigned to the incidents. They are great tools, but the intel lives in Interra where it should for the decision makers. As an IC of a fire I had two challenges…the first a map was overlaid on my incident and sent out on here and it was the wrong fire showing our IA fire which was 3 acres at 300 acres of which I got several phone calls from the COC. The other concern is releasing the info without knowledge of PIO or IC thus causing credibility concerns of agency info. Lastly, I think communication is key in what we do, but the responsible agencies are tasked with taking the lead as they should be. Just my thoughts.
Unless we can turn back time, the genie is out of the bottle. Personally I use a mix of old school and new high tech in what I do and how I teach my FF. Having been through 2018 and the fatalities that occurred here are my take away.
- The accident that involved HFEO Varney was known about on Twitter approx 2hr after it occurred due to AFF and “Track Logs” I was Personally contacted by multiple people asking of I was alright 1st and who it was 2nd. I reached out ans knew the truth in 10min & kept it quiet for 4hr.
- Then when the tree fell on the same fire, I listened to it live. Found out who the crew was and had the unfortunate task of notification to a peer back home because 1 of my FF was on that crew the year before. We were able to get this person the help needed early.
- The tree strike Fatality on the Mendo Complex was the 3rd. I listened to that go down live as well. The Br Director I was working for had us do a safety Stand Down and all resources were told “go find cell service and notify loved ones you are okay”
If we try and hide it, it will get out anyways. Don’t believe me go watch STRINGERS. It’s human nature, “If it Bleeds it Leads”
What Zeke has done with commercially available information that is available at ones fingertips, in the palms of ones hands is seperate fact from fiction. He is a SME of the 1st order when it comes to GIS. Couple that with his history and back ground, nothing short of amazing to get high quality intelligence out like this.
Thank you @pyrogeography
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Not really suggesting hiding things… just that the product could be a misrepresentation of his position. He is not assigned to the fire and is commenting on the fire and its progression. This is without direct knowledge of the tactics or strategies of the incident. It is really just his personal interpretation rather than a “briefing”.
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Well since anyone assigned to the fire should be going to briefing….what’s the harm in him using his knowledge and expertise to give us some insight. If someone is using this site to make tactical decisions……problems.
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Zeke’s been very clear about his role and affiliation with respect to the work he’s doing, but certainly there could be civilians and media types who just see one of his posts and think, based in no small part on his knowledge and the quality of his products, that he’s part of the IMT or an ‘official’ source.
The caliber and expertise of many of the frequent posters here is phenomenal, and this site is a wealth of knowledge to the learned and ignorant alike. Hopefully we’re all getting better by using these forums, and hopefully the intel that’s provided, whether by boots on the ground at the incident, overhead at the ICP, the Internet scanner listener from the lost city of Atlantis, a local civilian who’s wondering if they should evacuate and posts a backyard pic, or anyone else is weighed for its value and credibility.
Unofficial sources are becoming increasingly valuable, though the signal to noise ratio can certainly be a challenge to navigate.
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