A few things
before Santa rolls.
Everything departments ask us about setup, the big night, Letters to Santa, photos, and cost. Don’t see your question? Email santa-help@respondermax.com.
Getting started
Do families need to download an app?
No. Your public tracking page opens in a web browser, with no app or account needed for viewers.
Who can set up a page?
An adult who is authorized to act for your fire department, EMS agency, law enforcement agency, or other U.S. public safety organization. Creating a page for an agency you don’t represent isn’t allowed.
What do we need to get started?
An agency email inbox for signing in, two phones for the big night (one to track, one for photos), and your Santa schedule.
How do we sign in?
With a link or code sent to your email. There’s no password, so anyone with access to that mailbox can reach your dashboard. Use an inbox your agency controls.
Can we change our page address later?
No. Your public address, like fdsanta.com/your-department, is permanent and can’t be changed from the dashboard, so choose it carefully.
On the big night
Why two phones?
The tracking phone needs to stay on the tracking page all night. A separate phone lets your photo crew add pictures while the tracking phone keeps doing its job.
How accurate is the map?
Positions come from the tracking phone’s GPS. They’re throttled and slightly delayed, and they stop updating if the phone sleeps, loses signal, or runs out of battery.
Does the map show where families are?
No. The map shows only Santa’s truck. The tracking page doesn’t collect viewers’ locations.
Will the tracker change during December?
We hold non-critical changes from December 1 through January, so the tracker you set up is the one you run.
Can we use this for emergency responses?
No. It’s a community engagement tool, not dispatch or AVL software.
Letters, photos and privacy
Who can read Letters to Santa?
Only your department’s administrators. Letters are never public. First names and neighborhoods are erased automatically after 60 days.
Who writes the letters?
A parent or guardian, on a child’s behalf. They confirm that before the form opens. It’s their own statement; neither we nor your department verifies who they are.
Are photos public?
Yes. Photos appear on your public tracking page, so your department is responsible for any consent your area requires.
Can a photo be taken down?
Yes. Your administrators can remove photos. Families can ask your department, or email santa-help@respondermax.com.
Do you sell our information?
No. Your agency’s account details are visible only to Responder MAX staff, and we don’t sell them.
Cost and limits
Is it really free?
Yes. No payment method, no trial, nothing to cancel. If we ever offer paid options, we’ll tell you well before a season, and you’ll never be charged without agreeing first.
How many people watched?
Your recap shows estimated viewers. They’re based on browser sessions, so they’re estimates, not a headcount.
Is there an uptime guarantee?
No. FD Santa Tracker doesn’t come with a guarantee that it will be uninterrupted or error-free. Keep a backup plan for sharing Santa’s progress, like social media updates.
Big holiday spirit.
One less thing in your budget.
FD Santa Tracker is free. Set up your department and make this Santa run one to remember.