Mastering the Controls: Navigating the LEMS Interface

The Problem: Data overload. Looking at 20 different call types and three different shifts at once can be overwhelming. A Chief needs the ability to “zoom in” on specific problems without losing the big picture.

Chapter 3 explains the Control Buttons—the navigational heart of the Legacy Engine. This chapter is about customization and efficiency. You will learn how to toggle between the high-level Entry Section and the detailed Call Breakdown Table, which allows you to group up to 20 operationally similar call types (based on NFIRS categories) to see exactly which incidents are draining your staffing.

The Control Highlights:

• Show/Hide Call Breakdown: Manage visual clutter. Choose to work with simple averages or dive into specific call-level detail when the situation requires it.
• The “Transfer Data” Button: This is the LEMS automation at work. With one click, the engine aggregates your detailed call data and populates the Entry Section, ensuring your high-level results always match your tactical reality.
• Regional & Shift Integration: Learn how to use the Transfer to B/C and Comb B/C buttons. These tools allow you to compare different shifts or integrate regional data to see if one specific group is carrying a disproportionate “Whale Load.”
• Full-Screen Mode: Optimized for the Boardroom. Learn how to strip away the “spreadsheet feel” to present clean, professional charts to town officials and stakeholders.

This chapter introduces the ABC_Whale Page. By using the shift-transfer buttons, you can generate a side-by-side comparison of three different Whales. This answers the critical leadership question: “Are all my shifts under the same strain, or is one specific group at a higher risk of total collapse?”

The Shift Diagnostic Are your shifts balanced? Using the ‘Comb B’ and ‘Comb C’ controls, LEMS can perform shift diagnostics. This is essential for Regional Integration, allowing you to see if your ‘Mutual Aid’ or shift-based staffing is truly sustainable across the board.

“LEMS is designed to be as simple or as complex as you need it to be. Chapter 3 gives you the keys to the dashboard, allowing you to filter out the noise and focus on the data that matters for your specific department.”