# RFSBuddy — Tools for fire-fighters > Offline GPS mapping, coordinate conversion, and field notes for emergency responders. (iPhone/iPad app by Volunteer Technology Services Australia Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfsbuddy/id769997884 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Volunteer Technology Services Australia Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1633004573) - Category: Utilities, Navigation - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 1.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 46 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2014-01-06 - Data updated: 2026-06-11 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfsbuddy/id769997884/reviews.md ## What is RFSBuddy? GPS Mapping Co-ordinates - Record & Share, Field Notes, Movement Tracking & Handbook FEATURES • RFS Buddy works anywhere • The RFS Buddy app does not need wifi or any phone carrier’s reception to work. • RFS Buddy works directly from the iPhone’s internal GPS. • Easily share your location with others via email. (Requires subscription) • Simple "one click" to start tracking your movement. (Requires subscription) • "Add Bearing" tool with camera zoom. With 2 or more Bearings you can triangulate the position of a point of interest in the distance, e.g. Smoke Sighting. Developed to assist Australian volunteer Bushfire Fighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and also anyone that need GPS location services. RFS Buddy translates your GPS location into the main RFS MGRS standard, including the LPI Map name and number. Also includes a number of other formats, and a Fire-ground Field Notes feature to record reference points of interest such as hazards, smoke etc. GPS CO-ORDINATES IN 5 FORMATS 1. RFS Mapping The Standard MGRS format used to match the RFS maps used in the field. Includes: - Full RFS Grid Reference (100m). - Short RFS Grid Reference - LPI Map Name, Reference Number & Scale - GPS Accuracy 2. Aviation 3. Standard GPS 4. Degrees, Minutes, Seconds 5. Easting Northing 6. What3Words (NEW) FIELD NOTES Name and record your current position in a list that (on swipe right) shows all 5 GPS formats. - Ability to Select Location Reference Type Icon. - Text to Convert for Location feature. Convert a Grid Reference into Lat-Long or Lat-Long into Grid easily, quickly and accurately – and immediately check it on the included map for confirmation. - Share / Publish location to your preferred setting of either State, District or Brigade. (required in-app subscription) - Saved Locations now expand to show all Lat/Long formats plus map. For more information, see Apple's standard Terms of use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ and our Privacy Policy https://vtsa.org.au/rfsbuddy-privacy-policy/ ## Key features - Offline GPS functionality - Multiple GPS coordinate formats - Field notes with location icons - Grid reference to Lat/Long conversion - Location sharing via email - Movement tracking - Bearing tool for triangulation ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Annual Bronze (auto-renew) | $1.49 | per year | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 11) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfsbuddy/id769997884/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Hopeless *2024-05-21, version 2.0.5* Since paying and subscribing, this app does not show locations. I should have not paid for a subscription. Absolutely useless in an emergency. ### 3/5 — Slight bugs *2018-07-06, version 1.5.0* I sent feedback to you 3 weeks ago but was just sent back to me via email ### 5/5 — RfsBuddy *2017-04-02, version 1.4.7* Extremely useful on the fireground! ### 1/5 — Does not work *2016-07-19, version 1.3* The current location feature does not seem to work. Does not sync properly to Apple Watch. Hopefully these are bugs that will be fixed if so I will change my review. For now I would not recommend ### 1/5 — Does not sync *2015-06-05, version 1.3* Not sure if I'm missing something, but the data appears on my iPhone but fails to appear on my apple watch. ### 4/5 — Field notes for firefighters *2014-01-12, version 1.0* Great app for recording field notes with DTG and geo-references. Also handy having RFS Pocketbook to use when needed. ### 5/5 — Mr *2014-01-07, version 1.0* A great little app with the RFS Handbook and clear and UTM / Lat-Long in every format that people use. ### 5/5 — Well thought out app. *2014-01-07, version 1.0* Well thought out app. Look forward to the upcoming features. ### 5/5 — Very useful *2014-01-06, version 1.0* Love the map reference choices. The handbook will be very useful. ### 5/5 — Great app *2014-01-06, version 1.0* This will be a really useful app for mapping on the fire ground. The addition of the handbook is also good. ## Frequently asked questions about RFSBuddy ### Does RFSBuddy work without Wi-Fi or cell service? Yes, RFSBuddy is designed to work anywhere, directly from the iPhone's internal GPS, without needing Wi-Fi or a phone carrier's reception. ### What GPS coordinate formats does RFSBuddy support? RFSBuddy supports RFS Mapping (MGRS, LPI Map Name/Number), Aviation, Standard GPS, Degrees Minutes Seconds, Easting Northing, and What3Words. ### How can I share my location with RFSBuddy? You can easily share your location via email. This feature requires a subscription to the app. ### What is the 'Add Bearing' tool for? The 'Add Bearing' tool, with camera zoom, allows you to triangulate the position of a distant point of interest, such as smoke sightings, using two or more bearings. ### What are the subscription options for RFSBuddy? RFSBuddy offers an 'Annual Bronze' subscription plan which auto-renews at $1.49 per year. This subscription is required for features like location sharing and movement tracking. ### How often is RFSBuddy updated? The latest version of RFSBuddy is 2.1.0, which was last updated on December 9, 2025. Updates ensure the app remains reliable and includes new features. ### What is the age rating for RFSBuddy? RFSBuddy has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ### Does RFSBuddy have ads? No, RFSBuddy does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download with optional in-app purchases for advanced features. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.1.0 — 2025-12-09 Private sharing requiring a login and password has been removed. ### 2.0.5 — 2022-09-29 Fixing an issue with the subscription. ### 2.0.2 — 2022-09-25 • New subscription access to premium features such as location sharing and vehicle tracking. • What3Words has now been implemented working offline. ### 1.7.1 — 2020-09-22 • minor bug fix ### 1.7.0 — 2020-09-12 • Updated libraries and updates • Removed Instabug. • Updated underlying network architecture. ## Apps similar to RFSBuddy | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [RFSPager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rfspager/id1568913265) | — | Free | Utilities | | [Handy Surveying](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-surveying/id1575016601) | 1.0 (2) | $3.99 | Utilities | | [Where Am I & Map Converter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/where-am-i-and-map-converter/id1159606304) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Utilities | | [RWY Check](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rwy-check/id1054845923) | — | Free | Utilities | | [Antenna Mate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/antenna-mate/id411272547) | 1.0 (4) | $2.99 | Utilities | | [Find Friends by Phone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/find-friends-by-phone/id6503193562) | 2.5 (40) | Free | Utilities | ## Related topics [rfsbuddy](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rfsbuddy) · [rfs activ](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rfs-activ) · [nsw rural fire service](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nsw-rural-fire-service) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*