eBrigade AI chat & messaging module
Communicate in real time on global, organisation and activity channels
Your logged-in members talk instantly without leaving eBrigade: a global channel, a channel per section and a channel per activity, with attachments, emojis, @mentions, a list of who is online and sound and desktop notifications. New messages appear live, through an incremental feed, without refreshing the page.
These buttons are about the full eBrigade subscription: this module is included at no extra cost in every plan.
Real-time instant messaging between connected members: a global channel (the whole instance), channels per organisation (primary and secondary sections) and channels per activity (members signed up, archived automatically 24 hours after the end). Attachments, emojis, GIFs (Giphy/Tenor), @mention autocompletion, list of online users, sound and desktop notifications, unread badges per channel and configurable retention (up to 30 days).
What is the eBrigade AI chat & messaging module?
Real-time instant messaging between logged-in members: a global channel (the whole instance), channels per organisation (primary and secondary sections) and channels per activity (members signed up, auto-archived 24 hours after the end). Attachments, emojis, GIFs (Giphy/Tenor), @mention autocomplete, a list of online users, sound and desktop notifications, unread badges per channel and configurable retention (up to 30 days). It is included at no extra cost in every eBrigade plan.
Why use Chat?
During an operation, a duty period or a training course, quick exchanges end up in texts, emails and external WhatsApp groups: there is no way to know who can be reached right now, messages are cut off from their context and nothing is kept in eBrigade. Internal asynchronous messaging, for its part, is not designed for real-time exchanges between members logged in at the same time.
What Chat changes in eBrigade
The module adds real-time instant messaging with three types of channel: global (the whole instance), per organisation (your primary section and your secondary sections) and per activity (reserved for people signed up, deleted automatically 24 hours after the activity ends). Messages arrive live through an incremental feed, with no refresh. Each member sees who is online, receives optional sound and desktop notifications, follows unread messages through per-channel badges, and can attach files, emojis and GIFs. The administrator sets the retention period (up to 30 days), after which messages and attachments are purged automatically. Chat complements asynchronous messaging and the Forum for quick exchanges between logged-in members.
What you can do with AI chat & messaging
A global channel for the whole instance, a channel per section (primary and secondary, depending on your roles) and a channel per activity whose type has chat enabled. Activity channels are visible only to people signed up and disappear 24 hours after the activity ends.
New messages appear automatically through an incremental feed (delta polling: only messages after the last one seen are fetched). No need to reload the page or click.
A side list shows in real time the members currently logged in, with their section, an email shortcut and, if configured, a direct WhatsApp link. A counter shows how many are present.
Attach a file (extensions and maximum size checked on the server), insert emojis from the built-in picker, add GIFs via Giphy or Tenor (if an API key is configured) and mention a member with @name autocomplete, which highlights the mention in the thread.
A sound and a native desktop notification alert you when a new message arrives from another member. Each user can turn the sound on, with a default value set by the administrator. Email and mobile push notifications complete the set-up.
An unread-message badge per channel and an overall counter in the menu show what is left to read. The administrator sets the retention period (7, 14 or 30 days): beyond that, messages and attached files are purged automatically.
Step by step
From Communication › Chat, enable chat per organisation and/or per activity, choose the retention period (7, 14 or 30 days) and the default notification sound. The activity types open to chat are ticked on the same page.
Members send instant messages, attach files, insert emojis and GIFs, mention their colleagues and see who is online — all within eBrigade, without refreshing the page.
Sound and desktop notifications for each new message, unread badges per channel and a counter in the menu: everyone immediately finds the conversations that concern them.
Where this module really pays off
Fire and rescue services (SDIS) & multi-site associations: real-time instant messaging with a global channel and channels per section, keeping every exchange in eBrigade.
Crisis & coordination units: communicate live between logged-in members, see who is online and attach files and screenshots, on channels separated by context.
Training centres: a dedicated channel for each session (activity), open only to people signed up and closed automatically 24 hours after the end, with attachments and emojis.
Privacy-conscious organisations: message retention capped by the administrator (up to 30 days), with automatic purging of expired attachments.
Field & event teams: @mentions and sound, desktop, email and mobile push notifications to alert the right people immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Chat module differ from eBrigade internal messaging?
Internal messaging is asynchronous (discussion threads you can consult at any time). Chat is real-time instant messaging for members logged in at the same time: messages appear live, with online presence, sound and desktop notifications, emojis, GIFs and @mentions. Chat complements messaging; it does not replace it.
Which channels are available in Chat?
Three types: global (the whole instance), per organisation (your primary section and your secondary sections, depending on your roles), and per activity (one channel per activity whose type has chat enabled). Activity channels are accessible only to members signed up and disappear automatically 24 hours after the activity ends.
How long are messages kept?
The administrator sets an overall retention period of 7, 14 or 30 days (30 days maximum). Beyond that, messages and their attachments are purged automatically. Retention applies to the whole chat; it cannot be set channel by channel.
How do notifications work?
When a new message arrives from another member, a sound and a native desktop notification can be triggered. Each user can turn the sound on (default value set by the administrator), and the desktop notification requires browser permission. Email and mobile push notifications are also sent to authorised recipients.
Can I attach files, emojis and GIFs?
Yes. Attachments are supported, with server-side checks on allowed extensions and maximum size. An emoji picker is built in. GIFs (via Giphy or Tenor) are enabled as soon as an API key is entered in the configuration. @mention autocomplete lets you call out a member, highlighted in the thread.
Is this module included in the subscription?
Yes. Chat is included at no extra cost in every eBrigade plan. It relies on the roles and sections already set up in eBrigade: no external directory or configuration is required, and it works alongside internal messaging and the Forum.