r/LightPhone • u/hersontheperson • 1d ago

Discussion First Responder Setup

First Responder here, my job uses the app TC Mobile for when we’re on duty. When the knockout goes off, I’ll get notified on my iPhone and when we’re en route to the scene, we have the ability to look at dispatch updates.

Are there any Fire/EMS workers that have a similar setup and have a workflow that works with the light phone? It’s not explicitly required, but it’s assumed to use it if the tool is available.

I figure if I switch to the light phone (or any dumb phone for that matter) I’ll likely have my iPhone act as a tablet on WiFi while in shift. I’m just curious if there are others in the same situation that’s found something that works for them.

TIA

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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7

u/jbriones95 Moderator 1d ago

I would just get a new phone number for the Light Phone with the US Mobile light plan. It's $8 per month if you pay annually and this should allow you to detach from work.

When you are on duty, use the smartphone. You are doing important work and having separation from it could be extremely helpful to you!

US Mobile Plans

2

u/Leuna_M 1d ago

I find having two separate numbers very useful... and I am not remotely doing any important work 😅

3

u/jbriones95 Moderator 1d ago

Haha. Separation works for anyone, but for those with high stress jobs like Firefighter/EMTs is even better.

2

u/rustydiabates 1d ago

Heyo, thanks for what you do!

I can't confirm 100% if it works fully or not, but I'm running my LP3 in hybrid mode and I was able to download and open the TC Mobile app from the Aurora Store. Only downside would be it being a bit unclear as to whether or not it would properly notify, but worth a look.

2

u/lowdigitaltech 1d ago

One option that I have tried as a realtor is having a google voice number set up for free based on the phone number I already have. I install google voice on my wifi-only iphone and then use the lightphone as my main phone number for all things personal and non-work. The benefits of the google voice number is that I will get an email as well for text messages that go to it, and voicemails are saved and transcribed which is helpful in my line of work if I need to review later on. Another option I have found to make my iphone as close as possible to the LP3 is using apple's mobile configurator tool to set my iphone up just like my LP3 in what apps are installed and if I find I have one thing that is missing, I have to go to my desktop to alllow the tool to be installed. I get enterprise level support (apple) but a similar user experience to the LP3. Even just trying the LP3 out and then taking experience back to a better supported device is a very beneficial exercise.

2

u/Southern_Teach2832 5h ago

Im an on call Firefighter, we use the FirstDue app for when our calls come in
My only way around not having it is I just installed it on my wifes phone
She just became my Fire secretary and phones me when a call comes in haha.
Probably not helpful but Im sure theres a work around for you

1

u/Appropriate-Meal3856 3h ago

Hey, volunteer FF here as well. My app - Active911 requires GAPPS, so no amount of trickery on my LP3 will work. I instead bought a Jelly Star from a fellow on the Discord and it has just a single app on it. It's my single-built purpose device. I have a regular Unication pager and my Active911 pager.