Graphical user interface for emergency apparatus and method for operating same

A graphical user interface of a communications system for emergency services personnel, the user interface comprising:

• a map portion for displaying a node map to a user, the node map visually presenting locations of portable devices carried by emergency services personnel and communication links between the portable devices while the emergency services personnel carry the portable devices at an emergency location, wherein the map portion displays signal strengths of the communication links between combinations of the portable devices.

A computer-operable module of a communication system for emergency services personnel, the module including instructions to:

• direct a gateway apparatus of the communication system to receive status information from a plurality of portable devices carried by emergency services personnel at an emergency location;
• and
• direct a display device of the communication system to display a node map that visually presents locations of the portable devices at the emergency location and display communication links between the portable devices while the emergency services personnel carry the portable devices at the emergency location, wherein the instructions direct the display device to display signal strengths of the communication links between combinations of the portable devices.