Development - Target release date Summer 2015 (Main service)

• Improved track colour support on the map utility to make tracks easier to see by changing the colour if required
• Map utility now supports a date range rather than a single date to select tracks to include on the map
• Map utility can now export tracks as a static KML file
• Map utility can now export tracks as a dynamic KML feed for real time viewing in software such as Google Earth
• Added support for InReach and SPOT devices, VolunteerRescue will automatically retrieve track details and show the tracks on the map utility
• Create and view custom field reference guides, guides can include formatted text, forms, images, links and media; also integrates with the existing checklist and operating procedure features to include in a field reference guide
• Members can now self assign unassigned to do items access permitting
• Added support to check for members that are currently unavailable but will be available in a definable number of hour(s) from when a call out is started
• Call forwarding to route calls to members whilst keeping their numbers private and/or for recording calls
• Administration registration e-mails can now include the registered member and status in the subject line
• Fixed bug when adding attachments to e-mails
• Changed from using a pager style navigator to a year and month tabbed selector for all date based list tables such as call outs, e-mails, to do items etc... making it easier to navigate to a specific month for locating historical items
• Added a bulk delete option to the date based list tables that use the new year and month selector mentioned above
• Table columns that refer to objects within the system such as members, assets etc... are now all links to find and view these details easier
• All links to objects such as members, assets etc... are now displayed in a pop up window to keep original location in tables when needing to view more than one object
• Calendar can now start on Monday (or any other day) rather than Sunday, means Saturday and Sunday (weekends) are side by side on the calendar
• Added support for RFID readers and improved support for barcode scanners
• Simplified the workstation check in/out feature and added support for entry of task mileage when checking out

Development - Target release date Summer 2015 (Mobile app)

• Added support to download and view custom field reference guides
• Improved rope anchor force calculator including drawing of rope system either on a blank canvas or over an image/photo, calculator will calculate the angles and forces from the drawing
• Improved rope redirection force calculator including drawing of rope system either on a blank canvas or over an image/photo, calculator will calculate the angles and forces from the drawing
• Improved slope force calculator with in built inclinometer that will calculate the angle of the device from the horizontal
• Added an electronic compass that will also calculate the magnetic variation (declination) based on the current latitude and longitude
• Added an asset/equipment look up and viewer with an integrated bar code reader to support scanning of assets; details that can be viewed include the general information, an image, location and contents when the asset is also a container
• Added ability to check assets out and back in
• Added support for external RFID readers and bar code scanners
• Improved coordinate entry on the map tools
• Added multiple datum support and conversion to the map tools
• Improved the event check in/out option and added support for task mileage when checking out

Updated - March 8 2014 (Mobile app)

• GPS tracker to record tracks, groups that also use the main VolunteerRescue service can recive track updates from the app in real time for display on a map in the main VolunteerRescue service
• New marine calculators for TVMDC and DST60
• Streamlined logon when connecting to the main VolunteerRescue service
• Support for new phone call out features of main VolunteerRescue service
• Support for on call shifts feature of main VolunteerRescue service
• Added custom address books from main VolunteerRescue service
• All known bugs fixed
• Updated user interface

Updated - January 31 2014 (Main service)

• Can setup inbound phone menus for Twilio numbers direct from the VolunteerRescue configuration pages
• Added more voice options
• Can place an inbound voice call on hold (queued) while outgoing calls are placed to members and call will be connected to the first member that accepts the call
• When answering a queued voice call or a conference call can ask whether the recipient wants to accept the call before connecting them to the person on hold or join the conference call
• If none of the call recipients accept a call on hold or joins a conference call the caller on hold or that initiated the conference call can be re-routed to further options such as leave a message
• Starting call outs using the voice line are now protected via a passcode rather than a member login enabling anybody who knows the passcode to start a call out (e.g. dispatch agent)
• Can record inbound phone calls for later playback
• Workstation check in/out page now supports member selection using a bar code reader
• New on call planner, a members on call status can now be
  
  Definately on call - Member has made a commitment to be available for an on call shift and an ICS role (e.g. Incident commander)
  Loosely on call - Member is potentially available but the decision to respond will be made at the time of the request based on other commitments
  Off call - Member has stated they are unavailable
  
  
• For the on call planner define shifts by ICS role and for each ICS role define minimum required number of members
• Member on call planner calender where a member just clicks on a shift to toggle whether they are committing to be definately on call or not.
• Organization on call planner calendar for administrators to control which members are definately on call or just loosely on call for when on call schedules are assigned
• On call calendar feed so members can subscribe to and integrate their VolunteerRescue on call calendar with their preferred personal calendar (e.g. google calendar, iCal, outlook calendar etc...)
• The phone call out service can call out members by on call shift by ICS role as well as standard group based roles
• Availability panel on a members' dashboard page also shows any on call shifts
• Points can be defined for each on call shift by ICS role to credit on call members
• From and to dates can be entered for the attendance panel on a members' dashboard page to view totals for any period

Updated - December 11 2013

• Added support for digital alphanumeric pagers to the phone call out service
• Added support for emailing to multiple e-mail addresss to the phone call out service
• Removed the requirement to create a Twilio account for groups that only need e-mail and one way text messaging for the phone call out service
• Can define templates for standard call out messages
• Additional member response page for members to send a response to a call out using a standard web browser
• Can change the description displayed and add new tabs to the phone call out progress page
• Can change the descriptions displayed for valid responses in the mobile app
• A task (event) can be automatically created when starting a phone call out
• A phone call out can be linked to a task (event) and all members indicating they are responding are automatically added as a participant of the task with check in time set to time of response
• Members can check out of tasks by text message, the mobile app or the new member response page
• Using the automatic check in and out of a task via the phone call out service member hours on task are automatically calculated to remove the need for an administrator to enter manually
• New points system to apply credits to members based on involvement and attendance
• Added new manual entry To, CC and BCC fields to e-mails to support e-mails to non members and contacts
• Can control by individual certification who can edit members certification details inclding the member themselves

Updated - October 27 2013

• Reworked asset usage tracking whereby assets are checked out to members rather than events for better history of usage
• Added thumbnail image support for assets and is displayed in all table lists
• Added support for bar code scanner to scan assets when checking out and back in
• Added new asset bulk check out and in screen
• The previous member workstation check in/out page has been extended to include the checking out and in of assets with support for a bar code scanner
• Can print asset bar codes for those assets that might not have a bar coded asset tag

Updated - August 5 2013

• Replaced the file upload control with a new improved version that works better in all browsers
• Bulk delete of uploaded files now supported
• Map coordinates can be entered in a single field, coordinates in TM/UTM, degrees/minutes/seconds, degrees/decimal and decimal degrees formats are supported
• Map coordinates are always displayed in all the four formats listed above with automatic conversion between formats
• Support added for multiple datums and automatic conversion of map coordinates between datums
• Can upload and overlay kmz/kml files over maps
• Locations can be included on maps (e.g. backcountry hut, gear cache etc...)
• Data groups can be added directly from the contacts, assets and file edit screens
• Multi day events can be broken down into operational periods with each period shown independently on the calendar, each operational period has its own notes section (e.g. to define an agenda for each day of a training course)
• Screen added to enable members to check in and out of events (e.g. operational task, training) electronically at the command post, SAR Hall etc...
• Members can check in and out of events (e.g. operational task, training) using the mobile app
• When using the phone call out service, any members that respond as attending an event can be automatically checked in to that event either during or after the event has finished.  For stand down call outs the members will be checked out of the event
• New screens added for creating conference calls to simplify starting a conference call, conference calls can be started using either the main web service, the mobile app or by dialing a central phone number
• Specific role based call outs can be added as menu items or page links in the main web service to simplify starting role based call outs
• Call out roles have been separated out to a new tab when creating a call out in the main web service to make it more obvious and easier to select which roles are included in the call out

Updated - May 31 2013

• Version 2 of the mobile app released
• Added a test mode to the phone call out service
• Added acknowledged message option to phone call out response options
• Phone call out progress pages also show members call sign if assigned

Updated - April 24 2013

• Dashboard panels can be enabled and disabled and the location where they are displayed on the screen can be configured
• Six new panels added to the member dashboard
• Phone call out service now supports a separate ETA field allowing a member to indicate how many minutes they will take to arrive
• A stand down feature has been added to the Phone call out service for when members are no longer required
• An update feature has been added to the Phone call out service to update the members responding if information or requirements change
• A retry feature has been added to the Phone call out service to retry calling one or more members
• New menu options added to voice initiated phone call outs to simplify team selection
• New announcements feature added with scrolling dashboard news ticker for highlighing events and other information
• Member profiles now also include a call sign field that can also be used by a member instead of a user name when logging in
• Gallery image page has been modified to the look and feel now more prevalent on other web sites
• Added ability to hide and show the main left and right menu bars enabling the full screen width to be used for wide lists and edit pages
• When adding an unavailable period that is based on a recurring day a start and end date can be specified
• Improved order of edit buttons for events to reflect the order of the steps typically followed when adding an event

Updated - March 09 2013

• Added options to start, monitor and respond to a call out using the mobile app
• Added address book to the mobile app
• Made better use of limited screen size on smaller screen mobile devices

Updated - February 26 2013

• The VolunteerRescue app can now be accessed using a browser for non iOS and android devices
• Added outgoing and incoming phone service (calls charges apply), see features page for detailed information on capabilities

Updated - January 06 2013

• Added an offline system that provides access to all the information entered and maintained in VolunteerRescue at a remote location with no internet access

Updated - December 30 2012

• Added course and presentation functionality similar to an E-learning management system, now you can create an online course or presentation complete with quiz pages and auto allocation of a certification upon successful completion of a course
• Notification e-mail now sent to a training officer (or other members) when a member makes changes to their certifications
• Renamed Operating policy to Operating procedure and added support for guidelines as well as policies
• Improved permissions for configuration options enabling more control over access to individual configuration options

Updated - November 29 2012

• Added a new page type of Operating policy that supports the creation of policy and procedure documents
• Operating policies support the creation of policy revisions
• Operating policies can be linked to one or more assets when the operating policy or procedure applies to an asset (e.g. policy for vehicle use)
• One or more member roles that can operate an asset can now be defined for an asset.  Now when viewing an asset it will include a list of all the members that can use the asset

Updated - November 5 2012

• Checklist feature added enabling the creation of any number of checklists either for a general purpose, for an asset (e.g. inspection) or for a member (e.g. annual appraisal)

Updated - October 18 2012

• Added an alternative group defineable member status field to enable non role based categerising of members for areas such as Convergent, Mutual Aid, Retired, Inactive etc...
• E-mail now sent to site administrators when a member changes their profile indentifying which fields have been modified
• Custom option lists can now be sorted manually
• Event reporting has been improved to better support individual event reports
• Pending repeated events can be batch updated with event detail changes
• Unavailable calendars can now be restricted to a sub set of members either individually, by role, by position or by status
• Security option field for restricting event access can be restricted to a subset of all available options to reduce the chance of accidentally selecting the wrong value
• 5 new reports added

Updated - September 22 2012

• Added OAuth2 authorization protocol
• Added API protected using the OAuth2 protocol
• Released iOS and Android apps

Updated - June 14 2012

• Support for repeat/recurring events such as a regular training night
• Can now copy base details of an event which can be useful when a repeat/recurring event is not required but an event is being repeated once or twice
• Can define an unlimited number of storage compartments for an asset (e.g. all the compartments of a vehicle) and assets can be added to these storage compartments. This enables a complete hierarchical tree of where an asset is located from which building all the way to which pocket in a backpack in which compartment of a vehicle for example
• Certifications can now be edited in bulk for multiple members rather than editing each members' certifications individually
• Can allow a member such as the training officer to edit member certifications without the need for the training officer to be able to edit all member details
• Can now specify a location for asset items added to asset kits
• To do items can be assigned either manually or automatically with to do triggers to positions such as president, secretary, treasurer, webmaster etc....  If and when these positions are filled by new members in the future there is no need to reconfigure the to do trigger
• E-mails and e-mail forward address maps also support positions as per to do items described previously.  These last two features have always been available through the use of roles but positions typically apply to just one member whereas roles are used to define groups of multiple members
• When a payment is received for an expense claim this payment can be automatically distributed/split over a number of expense items
• Support for up to four Facebook social plugins
• Improved image slideshow in all supported themes
• Improved data groups edit list screen and groups shared by more than one type can be individually sorted by type
• Impoved scheduler options for to do triggers in line with the scheduler for repeat events
• Numerous new reports including index card sized reports for asset kits and content lists to be included as a laminated checklist with the asset and reports for the new hierarchical entry of asset location
• When saving a selection criteria template for a report an access restriction can be assigned enabling a report to be run by members who do not have permissions to the report selection page.  Can be used to provide general members the ability to run a report such as the attendance report restricted to just themselves

Updated - May 9 2012 (Support for receiving online donations)

• Integrates with Paypal using Website Payments Standard so there are no monthly fees, all you need is a Paypal business account
• Has in built self signed certificate generation for supporting Paypal Encrypted buttons to protect against fraudulent payments
• Includes support for recurring payments
• Definable donation amounts with a default to encourage donors to contribute a desired minimum amount
• Supports multiple projects with a target amount enabling donors to identify what they would like their contribution to go towards
• A donations block can be displayed on one, many or all pages
• Projects can be shown in the donations block with a graphic indicating amount raised against target
• Can define a collection page for each individual project to highlight how donations made to the project will be used
• Each project can use a different Paypal custom page layout to individualise the checkout pages for each project
• Definable tax receipt either as a whole or for individual projects
• Confirmation e-mail sent to donor with a link to the tax receipt so they can print for their own records, confirmation page also displayed with a link to the tax receipt
• Ability to add donations manually for offline contributions
• CSV exports of donations for integration with an organisations finances administered in an external program such as a spreadsheet or accounting package

Updated - March 31 2012

• Contacts and assets now support three levels of grouping
• New calendars that restrict output to unavailable members and unavailable assets have been added
• Contacts records now include emergency contact details and certifications for contacts that may also be used on events
• Assets now support multiple statuses and a different quantity can be assigned to each status (e.g. 5 working, 2 broken, 3 on order)
• Asset quantities can be automatically reduced as they are used on events, an automated notification can be sent when quantities fall below a value to ensure prompt reordering
• Periods of unavailability can be defined for assets for use when an asset may be rented out (e.g. training room) or when an asset has to be sent away for repair etc...
• All asset list screens show available quantities of an asset
• Can create asset kits to group individual assets together to form a complete kit, quantites of each asset required to make up the kit can be entered and asset items in a kit can be grouped when more than one asset can be used to meet the quantity requirement of the kit
• None event hours can be entered for members, contact and assets to keep a more accurate record of member hours volunteered or the hours an asset has been used for
• Events do not need an end date and time allowing for the creation of events whilst the event is ongoing
• Multiple check in and out times can be entered for participants of an event and assets used on an event
• Operational periods are now supported on events
• Teams can be defined for an event when the teams out in the field are different from the teams defined at the system level
• Member list can be sorted on either surname or forename
• UTM coordinates can now also be used to enter an address

Updated - February 6 2012

• Multiple calendars can be created where each calendar can be configured to only show specific event types, access restrictions can be assigned to each calendar to restrict who can view the calendar
  Links and menu items can be added to show any of the calendars and calendars can be combined
  When viewing the calendar page available calendars can be toggled on or off too view one or more calendars simultaneously.
• To do items can now be added to calendars, to do items now also include a definable priority field
• A new simple event type has been added for basic events that do not need the advanced tracking and analysis features of the full event type
• Access restrictions can be individually assigned to members, contacts and assets providing fine grained control over who can view and/or update the item
• Uploaded files can be attached to members, contacts, assets, to do items, e-mails and content pages
• The interface for selecting members, contacts, assets etc... when adding to events, to do items etc... has been improved
• All the reports have been modified to take into account the new access restrictions, this means reports can be made available to a wider range of members as the reports will only include items the new access restrictions provide the member access to
• All data for table based list reports can be saved to csv for import into third party applications such as a spreadsheet

Updated - December 20 2011

• Rewrote file uploading and handling to better reflect a centralised file store
• Added support for HTML5 media (mp3, mp4, webm and ogg files) and tested in IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Apple devices and Android devices
• Added three new themes each supporting a minimum of five colour schemes to offer more variety in the look and feel of individual implementations of the service
• Updated all the open source libraries to the latest versions for improved IE9 support

Updated - November 9 2011

• To do lists added with history of steps to completion of the to do item
• Member dashboard page with summary information including contact details, pending to do items, upcoming events, expiring certifications, availability chart, attendance chart
• Date based unavailability of periods a member is unavailable
• Work schedules or shift patterns can be added to cover member unavailability
• Enhanced availability reporting identifying periods where cover available is below a minimum threshold
• Schedule recurring notifications

Updated - October 25 2011

• Enhanced contact form enabling e-mail requests to be sent direct from the contact us page
• Integrated forum for threaded discussions, forum functionality can be restricted to just members

Features that are currently supported

• Public facing and member protected web site built on Drupal CMS
• Detailed member profiles including personal details, emergency contact details, availability, certifications, memberships, image upoads
• Detailed contact profiles
• Unlimited grouping of members and contacts into teams
• Detailed asset and equipment profiles including content lists, uploading of images and documents, unlimited grouping
• Event management including registration, unlimited event types
• Task recording including members on task, equipment used on task, subject details, expense claim generation, unlimited task types
• Selectively publish events and tasks with option to display on a google map showing area of activity
• Full calender integrated with events and tasks
• Upload documents, images and media with drag and drop support and multiple file uploads using OS file explorer
• Word processor style editor for creating content
• Insertion of uploaded images and media in content integrated with word processor style editor
• Easy entry of addresses and locations in either latitude and longitude or street address using google street and terrain maps
• E-mail and SMS notifications
• Templated e-mails
• Unlimited organization e-mail addresses and e-mail forwarding
• Unlimited definable lists of either multiple or single selections that can be included on member profiles, contact profiles. asset and equipment profiles, tasks, task members, task equipment, task expense claims and task subject profiles enabling custom information to be recorded over and above that defined by the core service
• Unlimited definable fields in various formats including single line text, multiple line text, phone number, date, date & time, currency, number that can be included on member profiles, contact profiles. asset and equipment profiles, tasks, task members, task equipment, task expense claims and task subject profiles enabling custom information to be recorded over and above that defined by the core service
• Over 25 reports in PDF, docx, odt and html formats with comprehensive selection criteria including support for selection on definable lists and fields
• Advanced statistical reporting 
• Graphical representation of statistics as either report or web page using google visualization
• Unlimited certification and membership definitions with member team auto assignment based on certifications acquired
• Definable expense items with support for predefined rates to avoid expense claim errors
• Member certification verification process
• Online new volunteer registration with approval process
• Automated creation of to do items with optional notifications to one or more recipients based on date, equipment use both by count and hours used, retirement and expiry dates, mileage
• Automated notifications of certification expiry to members to enable prompt recertification
• Image gallery support
• Export member and contact details in either csv or vCard format
• Comprehensive security framework to protect content and pages
• Members can logon using their facebook username and password
• Organization specific domain name
• Customizable menus
• Themable to provide individualized look and feel
• Comprehensive content sensitive help throughout
• Sensitive and confidential data protected using SSL certificates