mbats user manual - raven’s challenge highlights reel user manual 1603… · guiding web-based...

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE UNITED STATES BOMB DATA CENTER

Mobile Bomb Arson Tracking System User Manual

March 22, 2016

Document Change History Date Reason for change(s) Author(s)

03/29/2015 First Draft IPN Web, Inc.

04/07/2015 Changed File format, updated admin section IPN Web, Inc.

04/19/2015 Second Draft USBDC

06/09/2015 Final Draft USBDC

03/22/2016 Updated URLs USBDC

Mobile BATS Unclassified/For Official Use Only User Manual

03/22/16 Unclassified/For Official Use Only Page 1

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2 2 mBATS Deployment Process ..................................................................................... 3 3 Initial Setup ................................................................................................................. 4

3.1 Enabling Mobile Access Within BATS ........................................................... 4 3.1.1 Logging on to the BATS Training or Live System from Your Computer.......4 3.1.2 Enable Mobile Access......................................................................................5 3.1.3 Enable Mobile Address Book ..........................................................................7

3.2 mBATS Logon ................................................................................................. 10

3.2.1 Preparing Your Mobile Device ......................................................................10 3.2.2 Logging on to the System from Your Mobile Device ...................................10

4 Using mBATS ........................................................................................................... 13 4.1 Main Screen ..................................................................................................... 13

4.1.1 Response Notification ....................................................................................13 4.1.2 Fire/Arson ......................................................................................................13

4.1.3 Explosives ......................................................................................................14 4.1.4 Activities ........................................................................................................14

4.1.5 Resources .......................................................................................................14 4.1.6 Log Out ..........................................................................................................14 4.1.7 My Incidents ..................................................................................................14

4.2 Documenting an Incident ............................................................................... 15 4.2.1 Screen Layout ................................................................................................15

4.2.2 Incident Sub-type Buttons..............................................................................15 4.2.3 Material Search Screen ..................................................................................16 4.2.4 Entering an Incident Location ........................................................................17

4.2.5 Selecting an Incident Property Use/Target Type ...........................................18

4.2.6 Creating Synopsis/Narrative ..........................................................................18 4.2.7 Selecting Restricted Status and Incident Date/Time ......................................19 4.2.8 Selecting Incident Date and Time ..................................................................19

4.2.9 Incident Notification Screen ..........................................................................20 4.3 Response Notification ..................................................................................... 21

4.3.1 Incident Date/Time ........................................................................................21 4.3.2 Incident Location ...........................................................................................21

4.3.3 Incident Synopsis ...........................................................................................21 4.3.4 Agency Supported ..........................................................................................21 4.3.5 Attach Photo/File ...........................................................................................21 4.3.6 Persons to Notify............................................................................................21 4.3.7 Free Text Message .........................................................................................21

4.3.8 Resolution ......................................................................................................21 4.3.9 Send Notification ...........................................................................................22

4.4 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications ..................................... 23 4.4.1 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications via mBATS ...................23 4.4.2 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications via BATS ......................23

A. Modifying an mBATS Incident .................................................................... 24 B. Converting a Response Notification to an Incident or Removing It ............. 24



Introduction

The mission of the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) is to collect, analyze and

disseminate information and intelligence regarding arson and the suspected criminal

misuse of explosives. To accomplish this mission the USBDC maintains and utilizes the

Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS), which is the sole national repository for arson

and explosives incident information. The primary goal of the USBDC is to increase

regional and national situational awareness to aid in the detection, deterrence and

prevention of future criminal or terrorist acts.

The Mobile Bomb Arson Tracking System (mBATS), which was developed by the

USBDC, is part of a continuing effort to improve and enhance the performance,

capabilities and ease of use of BATS so that information sharing improves continuously.

mBATS, which directly interfaces with BATS, was designed to be a user-friendly, self-

guiding web-based system that is accessible from any brand of mobile device that has

Internet access. The initial mBATS development focused on response and incident

notifications as well as initial incident documentation in BATS, all of which facilitate

near real-time incident reporting.

Once familiar with the operation of mBATS, it should take only minutes to either

complete initial incident documentation and receive a BATS incident number or send a

notification. The initial incident documentation capability will dramatically reduce the

time lag between incident responses and reporting, thus allowing for a dramatic increase

in regional and national situational awareness. When you document initial incident

information via mBATS, it is immediately available in BATS, eliminating duplicative

data entry processes.

mBATS also has two unique notification features that allow you to send notifications for

situational awareness purposes. The mBATS Response Notification and Incident

Notification features generate e-mails that you can send to recipients of your choosing.

The Response Notification feature allows you to send, at any time, as much or as little

information as is appropriate for your situation. Examples include “9-Line Notification,”

“Response Resolution” and “free text” requests for assistance. Incident Notifications

differ from Response Notifications in that after an incident is created in mBATS, and a

BATS incident ID is generated, you can send predefined incident information to

recipients of your choosing.



mBATS Deployment Process

Because mBATS is easy to use and immediately populates BATS, the national incident

repository, the USBDC developed a two-phase (Training and Live System) deployment

process that will ensure each user is familiar with the operation of mBATS. The

Training phase, which will likely take less than a week, will give each user the

opportunity to set-up and test mBATS in a training environment. Once familiar with the

operations, your BATS account manager will need to contact the USBDC via e-mail at

[email protected] and request access to mBATS for the Live System. Access to the Live

System will allow each user to set-up and register mBATS for reporting of actual

incidents in BATS.

mBATS Training will use two links (URLs):

From your computer or tablet (for setup) use https://www.bats.gov/training/.

From your mobile device use https://www.bats.gov/training/mbats.

This icon is the Training Icon that will be added to your mobile device

and will serve as your link to the Training site. Once you are converted

to the Live mBATS site you will need to delete this from your mobile

device.

mBATS Live System will use two links (URLs):

From your computer or tablet (for setup) use https://www.bats.gov/live.

From your mobile device use https://www.bats.gov/live/mbats.

This icon is the Live System Icon that will be added to your mobile

device and will serve as your link to the Live mBATS site.

Note: You must follow the two-phase deployment process or mBATS will not

function correctly.

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.bats.gov/training/

https://www.bats.gov/training/mbats

https://www.bats.gov/live

https://www.bats.gov/live/mbats



Initial Setup

3.1 Enabling Mobile Access Within BATS

3.1.1 Logging on to the BATS Training or Live System from Your Computer

This process, whether phase one (Training) or phase two (Live System), is the same; the

only differences are the link (URL).

Training: o Link – To access the Training site from your computer use the following URL

https://www.bats.gov/training/.

o User ID – BATS username.

o Password – BATS password.

Live System:

o Link – To access the Live BATS site from your computer use URL

https://www.bats.gov/live.



https://www.bats.gov/training/

https://www.bats.gov/live



3.1.2 Enable Mobile Access

A. Once logged on (to either site), click on “User Update Information” under the

administrative section.



B. Next, ensure that the “Allow Mobile Access” box is checked. Additionally,

update any information that is incorrect, especially the phone number and e-mail

sections. This will allow association of your mobile device(s) to your BATS

account and ensure that any notifications that you send show the correct phone

number and e-mail address in the event someone needs to contact you about your

incident. After you have updated this information select “Submit.”

C. Once you have selected “Submit”, you will get this screen, indicating that your

inforamtion has been saved successfully. Select “View/Manage Address Book.”



3.1.3 Enable Mobile Address Book

A. Once you have selected “View/Manage Address Book,” the screen below will

appear. Select “Add Contact.”

B. Now either search by typing a BATS user’s name and select “Find BATS User”

or select “Add Non-BATS User” and fill in the appropriate information.



C. Once you have found the user that you want to add, select “Add Contact” and the

name will appear in your contacts.

D. On the “My Contacts” screen you will see the name(s) you added with a faint star

and mobile phone icon next to them. The star is for favorites and the phone, once

selected (highlighted), allows the contact to be visible on your mobile device as a

person to notify.



E. The screen shot below is an example of a contact that has been activated. You

can add as many contacts as you like. These contacts will be available to you in

mBATS for e-mail notifications.



3.2 mBATS Logon

3.2.1 Preparing Your Mobile Device

To ensure optimum performance of mBATS on your mobile device, before you start, you

must ensure that geolocation and browser access to your camera are enabled. Refer to

your mobile device’s instruction manual to activate the following features:

Location services/GPS

Enable internet browser to access the camera

3.2.2 Logging on to the System from Your Mobile Device

This process, whether phase one (Training) or phase two (Live System) is the same; the

only differences are the link (URL).

Training: o Link – To access the mBATS Training site from your mobile device use URL:

https://www.bats.gov/training/mbats.



Live System:

o Link – To access the Live mBATS site from your mobile device use URL:

https://www.bats.gov/live/mbats.



https://pilot.atf.gov/batsmobile

https://www.bats.gov/batsmobile



A. On your mobile device’s browser, type (Training:

https://www.bats.gov/training/mbats, or Live System:

https://www.bats.gov/live/mbats) and select enter. This will take you to the DOJ

Security Disclaimer. An mBATS icon should then drop a pop-up window into

view. If it does, select the item at the bottom of your browser to add the mBATS

icon to your home screen. If it does not, use your mobile device to add the

mBATS icon to your home screen. If needed, refer to your mobile device’s

instruction manual.

Training Site Image Live System Site Image

(Images from Apple iPhone)

B. Then scroll to the bottom of the DOJ Security Disclaimer and click “I Agree.”





C. This is an optional step, if you wish to register your device and set-up a log-in

PIN. If not, you may log-in with your BATS username and password.

On this screen, select “Register” and follow the prompts to establish a six

character PIN. As long as you have registered your mobile devices (up to two), a

six character PIN is all you will need to log in to mBATS. If you need to log in to

mBATS (Training or Live System) via a device that you have not registered,

navigate to the appropriate link (Training: https://www.bats.gov/training/mbats,

or Live System: https://www.bats.gov/live/mbats) and type your BATS User ID

and password.

D. From this point forward, you may select the mBATS icon to access mBATS.

Training icon Live System icon





Using mBATS

4.1 Main Screen

Below is a screen capture of the mBATS main screen. (Note: This image and those that

follow were captured using an iPhone 6 and may vary based on your mobile device.)

There are seven basic functionalities represented.

4.1.1 Response Notification

This button navigates to the Response Notification screen and allows you to create and

send a notification e-mail to selected recipients. (Note: A response notification does not

create an incident in BATS and is for information sharing purposes only.)

4.1.2 Fire/Arson

This button navigates through the Fire/Arson incident documentation process, which

includes incendiary, accidental, natural, undetermined fires and arson threats (threats to

burn). This process documents an incident in BATS and allows you to send an incident

notification e-mail to selected recipients.



4.1.3 Explosives

This button navigates through the Explosives incident documentation process, which

includes explosions, suspicious packages, hoax devices, recoveries, explosives thefts and

bomb threats. This process documents an incident in BATS and allows you to send an

incident notification e-mail to selected recipients.

4.1.4 Activities

This button navigates through the Activities documentation process, which includes

canine, search warrant assist, training, disposal/destruction operations, court

preparation/testimony and operational standby/special events. This process will create an

activity within BATS. (Note: This section is currently under construction and will

be available in a future update.)

4.1.5 Resources

This button navigates to the Resources section, which includes a blast radius calculator,

safe evacuation table, mobile maps tied to incidents documented in BATS and other

useful resources. (Note: This section is currently under construction and will be

available in a future update.)

4.1.6 Log Out

Select Log Out to exit the mBATS system.

4.1.7 My Incidents

This button navigates to the incidents and notifications you created via mBATS, where

they can be viewed and modified. If you modify an incident, it will update the incident in

both mBATS and BATS. You can convert a notification into an incident (see section 4.4

Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications). After you log into BATS and further

document an incident, it will automatically be removed from your mobile incidents in

both systems.



4.2 Documenting an Incident

4.2.1 Screen Layout

There are two incident types that can be documented via mBATS: Fire/Arson and

Explosives. Each has a number of sub-types.

At the top of each screen are three sections:

The “Back” button returns to the previous screen.

The “Home” button returns to the main mBATS screen.

The “Location Ribbon” indicates where you are in the documentation process.

At the bottom of each screen are two sections:

The “My Incidents” button displays previously created mBATS incidents.

The “Notification” button initiates the Response Notification process, which is

that same as the Response Notification button on the main screen.

4.2.2 Incident Sub-type Buttons

The Incident Sub-type buttons under Fire/Arson or Explosives are the starting points for

documenting an incident in mBATS and creating a BATS entry. Some Incident Sub-type

buttons will require more detail, while others will simply require the incident location,

incident date/time and save incident screens.



4.2.3 Material Search Screen

The Material Search screen is within the Explosives>Recovery section. In Material

Search you can free type search terms and pick from a dropdown list to identify items

recovered. After picking an item, you can repeat the process to identify multiple items

recovered. When finished, press “Next” to proceed to the Location screen.



4.2.4 Entering an Incident Location

Use the “My Location” button to acquire the current address and latitude/longitude from

the mobile device. (Note: If your mobile device asks to allow geolocation, you must

select “allow” or “ok” for this feature to work properly.) If correction is required, use the

“Enter your address” field.

Typing the incident address into the “Enter your address” box provides a dropdown of

possible address locations. Clicking on the correct address from the dropdown list will

populate the proper address. If the incident address is not located, at a minimum you

must populate the street name, city, state and zip code to proceed.



4.2.5 Selecting an Incident Property Use/Target Type

The “Property Use/Target Search” button provides a text box to enter the target type. As

you type, a dropdown list will appear with items that match the entered text. Select the

item that most closely matches the property use or target type.

4.2.6 Creating Synopsis/Narrative

To create a Synopsis/Narrative either type or dictate a summary of the incident.



4.2.7 Selecting Restricted Status and Incident Date/Time

The “Restricted” off/on button determines whether the BATS incident information is

visible to other BATS users.

4.2.8 Selecting Incident Date and Time

Select the image of the calendar or clock to document the incident date and time.



4.2.9 Incident Notification Screen

Once the incident is created, mBATS will automatically navigate to the Incident

Notification screen. Selecting a particular plus (+) button allows you to review incident

data, attach a photograph, notify ATF, FBI or others and populate the free text message

area. Selecting the “Send Incident Notification” button delivers the information via e-

mail to you and selected recipients.



4.3 Response Notification

The “Response Notification” button provides the ability to create and send an e-mail with

user-defined information for regional/national situational awareness, chain of command

notification, mutual aid/resource request, etc. A response notification does not create a

BATS entry. At the “Notification” screen, selecting a particular plus (+) button allows

for the transmission of various information.

4.3.1 Incident Date/Time

Allows the user to select the incident date and time from a calendar and clock.

4.3.2 Incident Location

Allows the user to document the incident location through the “My

Location” button or though manual entry.

4.3.3 Incident Synopsis

Allows the user to type or dictate a summary.

4.3.4 Agency Supported

Allows the user to identify the agency(ies) being supported.

4.3.5 Attach Photo/File

Allows the user to select a photograph from the mobile device or take a photograph and

attaching it to the message.

4.3.6 Persons to Notify

Allows the user to notify contacts from the address book built in BATS or add additional

e-mail addresses, which can be typed or dictated. Added e-mail addresses must be

separated by a semicolon.

4.3.7 Free Text Message

Allows the user to type or dictate additional information.

4.3.8 Resolution

Allows the user to select a resolution message from dropdown list.



4.3.9 Send Notification

The “Send Response Notification” button delivers the information via e-mail to the

selected recipient(s).



4.4 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications

4.4.1 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications via mBATS

Selecting, “My Incidents” takes you to the “Incidents” screen. Once you select a

particular notification or incident, you will be able view the details or modify the entry.

To modify, select “Update Menu”. From there you can convert a notification to an

incident or modify incident details in the following areas: incident type, incident location,

property use/target and narrative. Once saved, the updated information will be

immediately available in BATS.

4.4.2 Modifying Incidents and Converting Notifications via BATS

When you log into BATS after creating incidents or notifications via mBATS, you will

see a screen similar to the one below. Depending on the type of incident, more detail

may be required to complete the incident in BATS. Specific details improve regional and

national situational awareness and may be critical to prevent future crime.



A. Modifying an mBATS Incident

From the “Mobile BATS Incidents” screen, you can select an incident to modify. Once

the changes are entered, the system will take you to the incident completion screen where

you can provide additional incident details. Once you do this, the incident will be

removed from both your Mobile Incidents in BATS and mBATS (your mobile device).

B. Converting a Response Notification to an Incident or Removing It

From the “My Response Notifications” screen, you can either convert a notification to an

incident or remove a response notification. Once you perform either action, the response

notification will be removed from both your Response Notifications in BATS and

mBATS (your mobile device).

For password issues, contact [email protected] or 877-875-3723.

Send any questions or recommendations to [email protected].



mbats user manual - raven’s challenge highlights reel user manual 1603… · guiding web-based...

Documents