Add a Command Item

Add a unit or task to the command board — give it a name, pick a worksheet template, and link any map objects.

The Add a Command Item dialog is how you put a new unit or task onto the command board. It opens from the Add control in the Command View. The dialog adapts to what you are adding: for a new task you also choose a worksheet template and link map objects; for other board positions those options are hidden. The same dialog is reused to edit an existing item.

Overview

The dialog's title tells you what it is about to do.

Title	When you see it
Create Task	You tapped Add in the unassigned area, creating a new task.
Update Item	You opened an existing item to rename it or change its linked map objects.
Add New Item	You tapped Add on a top-row, left-column, or main-column position.

Field / control	Description	Required
Name	The item's name. The keyboard opens on this field automatically, so you can start typing straight away.	Yes
Worksheet Template	A dropdown of the worksheet templates your agency has set up. Shown only when creating a new task on a non-ICS board.	Yes, when shown
Map Objects	Opens a multi-select list of the incident's map objects. The button then lists what you picked, separated by commas. Shown for unassigned items.	No
Save	Checks the required fields, saves the item, and closes the dialog.	—
Back	Closes the dialog without saving anything.	—

Which fields appear

What you are doing	Name	Worksheet Template	Map Objects
Creating a task in the unassigned area	Shown	Shown	Shown
Creating a task in the unassigned area of an ICS board	Shown	Hidden	Shown
Adding to the top row, left column, or a main column	Shown	Hidden	Hidden
Editing an existing item	Shown, pre-filled	Hidden	Shown for unassigned items

note

Where the item lands depends on where you tapped Add — the top row, the left column, a main column, or the unassigned area as a new task. The dialog shows the worksheet and map-object options only when they apply, so a short dialog is normal, not a sign something is missing.

note

The dialog lifts itself above the keyboard as soon as you start typing, so the Save and Back buttons stay reachable.

Getting Here

1. Open an incident and open its Command View.
2. On the command board, tap Add for the position you want to fill.
3. The Add a Command Item dialog opens with the cursor already in the Name field.

Creating a Task

1. Type a name in the Name field.
2. Tap Worksheet Template and choose a template from the dropdown. The button then shows the template's name.
3. (Optional) Tap Map Objects and select one or more map objects to link. The button updates to list them.
4. Tap Save. The task appears in the unassigned area, ready to be dragged onto an assignment.

caution

Both the name and the worksheet template are required for a new task. If you leave the name empty you will see "Enter item name". If you skip the template you will see "Select worksheet template". Neither message closes the dialog — correct the field and tap Save again.

tip

The worksheet template decides what the task's own form looks like once it is on the board, so pick the one that matches the work — a search assignment template collects different information from a medical one. You cannot change the template afterwards from this dialog, so it is worth getting right the first time.

Adding a Unit or Position

1. Tap Add on the top row, the left column, or a main column.
2. Type the name.
3. Tap Save.

There is no template or map-object step for these positions — they are structure, not work assignments.

Editing an Existing Item

1. Open the item in edit mode from the board. The dialog's title reads Update Item and the Name field is pre-filled with the current name.
2. Change the Name.
3. Adjust the linked Map Objects if the item has them.
4. Tap Save to apply your changes, or Back to leave everything as it was.

Linking Map Objects

1. Tap Map Objects to open the multi-select list. The list shows every object saved on the incident's map, by name.
2. Tap each object you want to link. Tap it again to deselect it.
3. Objects already linked to the item are pre-selected when the list opens.
4. Close the list. The Map Objects button now shows your selections, comma-separated.

State	What you see
No map objects on the incident	The list is empty. Draw and save shapes or markers on the Maps Tab first, then come back.
Nothing selected	The Map Objects button shows its default label rather than a list of names.
Several selected	The button shows all the names, comma-separated, which can make it wrap to more than one line.
No limit	You can link as many objects as the incident has.

tip

Linking map objects to a task connects the board item to what is drawn on the Maps Tab, so the location and the assignment stay tied together. A crew reading the task can see exactly which division line or structure it refers to.

Loading and Empty States

State	What you see
No worksheet templates configured	The Worksheet Template dropdown is empty. A task cannot be saved until your agency sets up at least one template.
Templates still loading	The dropdown may be briefly empty right after the dialog opens. Close and reopen it if it stays empty.
Keyboard covering the buttons	The dialog shifts up on its own. If it has not, tap outside the field to dismiss the keyboard.

How This Connects

• Where the choices come from. The worksheet templates are defined by your agency and stored on the device, so the dropdown works even on a weak connection. The map objects are the shapes and markers saved against this incident on the Maps Tab — draw one there and it appears in this list.
• What happens after you save. The item joins the shared command structure. Everyone with the incident open sees it appear, and the structure change is saved to the server. New tasks land in the unassigned area until someone drags them onto an assignment in Command View.
• What the template drives. The worksheet template you pick becomes the task's own form — the fields a crew fills in as they work it. Those entries become part of the incident record and show up in the incident's change log on the Info Tab.
• What the map links drive. Linked objects are what Task Maps works with, and they are why a task can be located on the map rather than just named. The same objects are listed in the Shapes and Objects List.
• Units and personnel. Units you add here are the units counted in PAR and checked in Certifications. Their people come from the incident roster under Additional → Personal.
• Offline. The dialog opens and the template list still works, because templates are held on the device. The item you save is kept locally and is not visible to anyone else until you reconnect.
• On reconnect. The item is sent to the server and appears for everyone. Open the board and confirm it is there before assigning crews against it.

Troubleshooting

If this happens	What to do
"Enter item name"	The Name field is empty. Type a name and tap Save again.
"Select worksheet template"	You are creating a task and have not chosen a template. Tap Worksheet Template, pick one, then Save.
The Worksheet Template dropdown is empty	Your agency has not configured any worksheet templates. An administrator has to add at least one.
There is no Worksheet Template field	You are not creating a new task — you are adding a position or editing an existing item, and no template is needed.
There is no Map Objects button	Map objects can only be linked to unassigned items. Positions in the top row, left column, or main columns do not carry them.
The Map Objects list is empty	No shapes or markers have been saved on this incident yet. Draw them on the Maps Tab first.
You picked the wrong template	The template cannot be changed from this dialog. Remove the task and create it again with the right template.
The keyboard hides Save	The dialog lifts itself above the keyboard; if it has not, tap outside the field to dismiss the keyboard and the buttons reappear.
The item you saved is not on the board	You may have been offline. Reconnect and check the board again; if it is still missing, create it again.
The Add control is missing entirely	You do not have permission to change the command structure. Ask an administrator.

Related Pages

• Command View
• Command Tabs
• Tasks and Units
• Task Maps
• Maps Tab

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