Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often about iFire, iCrew and iRescue. Still stuck? Drop us a line — we'd rather hear from you than leave you guessing.
Getting started
Which app should I download — iFire, iCrew or iRescue?
They're the same platform with different branding: iFire for fire and rescue crews, iCrew for duty crews and on-call teams generally, and iRescue for mountain rescue, lifeboat crews and SAR teams. Use whichever your station uses — if you're starting fresh, pick the one that matches your service.
How do I create an account?
Download the app free from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with your email — we send a 4-digit code to verify, so there's no password to remember.
How do I join my station or team?
Ask your station admin for an invite code, then enter the 6-character code during sign-up. Codes expire after 48 hours, so ask for a fresh one if yours doesn't work.
My station doesn't use the app yet — how do we get set up?
Create your team in the app during sign-up — you become the admin and can invite the rest of the crew straight away. There's nothing to install server-side.
Alerts & notifications
Will alerts get through when my phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb?
Yes — mobilisation alerts override silent mode and play at full volume with a pager-style tone, the same way a pager would.
I'm not receiving alerts on Android — what should I check?
Check notification permission is granted (Android 13+ asks separately), the app is excluded from battery optimisation, and the alert hasn't been muted in the app's notification settings.
Can I be notified when a crewmate becomes available?
Yes — Follow Crew lets you pick individual crew members and get a push when their availability changes at your station. (Pro feature.)
What are low crew warnings?
The app can warn you when available crew at your station drops below the level you need — including per-skill thresholds, so you know when you're short a driver rather than just short a body. (Pro feature.)
Availability & status
Can the app update my availability automatically when I leave the area?
Geofencing offers the matching status change as you cross your station's area — but it never changes your status silently; you always confirm with a single tap on the notification. It needs "Always" location permission to work in the background. (Pro feature.)
Does geofencing drain my battery?
No — it uses the phone's built-in region monitoring (the same low-power system as location-based reminders), not continuous GPS tracking. The trade-off is that crossings can take a minute or two to register.
What does "responding" status do?
One tap when the alert comes in and your whole crew sees who's en-route before the appliance leaves the bay.
What is contracted hours tracking?
Set a weekly availability target and the app tracks your Available hours against it, with progress notifications at 50%, 75% and 100%. (Pro feature.)
Pricing
How much does it cost?
Free to download and free for responders to use the basics. An optional Pro subscription unlocks the extras — the price is shown in the App Store / Google Play for your region.
What's included in Pro?
Geofencing, Follow Crew, low crew warnings, contracted hours, advanced statistics, auto book-on and repeating availability.
Can we cover the whole station with one subscription?
Yes, we can offer a single, discounted, annual subscription which will cover all crew. Please get in touch with us at hello@ifireapp.org
Privacy & data
Where is my data stored?
On AWS in the UK (London region), under UK GDPR.