Purpose Statement
This article explains how to access, edit, and manage Occupancy Details within the First Due Pre-Planning module.
The Occupancy Details section serves as a central location for critical building and occupancy information, including demographics, building measurements, access considerations, construction features, occupancy loads, needed fire flow, resource requirements, and risk assessments.
Information entered in this section is shared across multiple First Due modules, helping departments maintain consistent occupancy records and providing emergency responders with valuable information for incident planning and response.
Background Information
The Occupancy Details section is a core component of the First Due platform. It contains much of the information associated with an occupancy and makes that information available across multiple modules.
Occupancy information is shared with:
- Responder Module: Provides responding personnel with important building characteristics, hazards, and operational considerations.
- Inspections Module: Supports occupancy inspections and building information management.
- Pre-Planning Module: Provides detailed occupancy information for developing and maintaining Pre-Plans.
- Incident Documentation Module: Makes occupancy information available for incident documentation.
The Occupancy Details section is organized into expandable categories, allowing users to manage specific building characteristics and operational information.
Important: Because occupancy information is shared across multiple First Due modules, changes to Occupancy Details may affect information viewed by other personnel throughout the platform.
Required Permissions
Users must have appropriate access to the Pre-Planning module and the ability to edit occupancy information.
Depending on their responsibilities, users may need access to:
- View the Pre-Plan Map.
- Open existing occupancies and Pre-Plans.
- Create or edit Pre-Plans.
- Modify Occupancy Details.
- Access risk assessment functionality, if enabled for the agency.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Navigate to the Pre-Plan Map
- Click the First Due logo in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select Pre-Planning.
- Click Pre-Plan Map to open the map interface.
Step 2: Access Occupancy Details
There are two ways to access Occupancy Details from the Pre-Plan Map.
Option 1: Start a New Pre-Plan
- Begin creating a new Pre-Plan from the map.
- Open the Pre-Plan to access its occupancy information.
Option 2: Open an Existing Occupancy
- Locate the desired occupancy on the Pre-Plan Map.
- Click the existing Occupancy Icon.
- Access the associated Pre-Plan.
- Select the Occupancy Details tab.
Step 3: Navigate the Occupancy Details Sections
The Occupancy Details page contains multiple expandable sections.
- Locate the Collapse All button in the upper-right corner of the page.
- Click the button to collapse all sections.
- To expand an individual section, click the drop-down arrow to the right of the section name.
- Expand the sidebar when additional working space is needed.
Tip: Collapsing sections that are not currently being edited can make navigating the Occupancy Details page easier.
Step 4: Edit the Demographics Section
The Demographics section contains general information about the occupancy and its operational characteristics.
Important: Information entered in the Special Directions field feeds into the Building Story displayed on the dashboard. Ensure these directions are clear, accurate, and useful to responding personnel.
Step 5: Enter Building Measurements in the Area Section
The Area section contains building measurements and floor information.
Tip: Verify measurements before moving to other sections, as building information may be used in additional calculations within Occupancy Details.
Step 6: Document Building Access Information
The Access section provides information about building entry and potential access restrictions.
Best Practice: Document access restrictions that may affect emergency responders entering the property or building.
Step 7: Complete the Construction Section
The Construction section contains information about the building's structural characteristics and construction features.
Important: Accurate construction information supports emergency response planning and may be used in other calculations, including Needed Fire Flow.
Step 8: Review the Occupancy Load Section
The Occupancy Load section allows departments to document occupancy load information.
Note: Depending on agency policies, occupancy load information may be completed or maintained by personnel assigned to the Inspections module.
Step 9: Calculate Needed Fire Flow (NFF)
The Needed Fire Flow section calculates fire flow requirements using an ISO-based calculation.
Information entered in previous Occupancy Details sections may automatically populate fields used in the calculation.
Important: The Needed Fire Flow calculation is based on the ISO methodology. Ensure all required building information is accurate before recalculating.
Step 10: Document Resource Requirements
The Resource Requirements section allows departments to identify additional operational resources and considerations associated with an occupancy.
Best Practice: Use this section to document specialized response considerations that may assist personnel during an emergency.
Step 11: Complete the Risk Assessment Section
The Risk Assessment section supports a target hazard assessment program based on OVAP (Occupancy Vulnerability Assessment Profile) scoring.
This functionality is available when enabled by the department.
Individual assessment fields can be customized to support the department's risk assessment methodology.
Important: An accurate risk assessment score depends on completing the required assessment fields. Departments may customize their scoring criteria based on their operational requirements.
Step 12: Manually Enter a Risk Assessment Score
First Due also provides the ability to manually enter a risk assessment score when permitted by the department's policies and procedures.
Note: Manual scoring should follow the agency's approved risk assessment methodology to maintain consistency across occupancy records.
Best Practices
- Maintain Accurate Occupancy Records: Review Occupancy Details regularly to ensure building information remains current.
- Understand Shared Data: Remember that changes to Occupancy Details may be reflected in the Responder, Inspections, Pre-Planning, and Incident Documentation modules.
- Use Clear Special Directions: Enter concise, actionable information that will be useful to responders viewing the Building Story.
- Verify Building Measurements: Ensure building dimensions and floor counts are correct before completing calculations.
- Document Access Challenges: Identify fortified entrances, fences, and other restrictions that could affect emergency operations.
- Keep Construction Information Current: Update building characteristics when renovations or structural changes occur.
- Follow Department Policies: Complete Occupancy Load and Risk Assessment information according to established agency procedures.
- Review Calculated Results: Verify the information used in Needed Fire Flow and Risk Assessment calculations.
- Document Resource Needs: Identify specialized equipment or response considerations that may be required at the occupancy.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why can't I access the Occupancy Details tab?
Verify that you have access to the Pre-Planning module and the appropriate permissions to view or edit occupancy information. Contact your First Due administrator if access is unavailable.
Why are some Occupancy Details sections collapsed?
Sections can be individually expanded or collapsed using the drop-down arrow next to each section name. The Collapse All button allows users to collapse all sections at once.
Does information entered in Occupancy Details appear in other First Due modules?
Yes. Occupancy information is shared across the Responder, Inspections, Pre-Planning, and Incident Documentation modules.
Where do Special Directions appear for responders?
Special Directions entered in the Demographics section feed into the Building Story displayed on the dashboard.
Why are some Area fields automatically populated?
First Due automatically converts certain building measurements and populates corresponding fields when information is entered in the Area section.
Can occupancy load information be entered by inspectors?
Yes. Depending on department policies and procedures, inspectors may be responsible for entering or maintaining occupancy load information.
How is Needed Fire Flow calculated?
The Needed Fire Flow section uses an ISO-based calculation. Information from other Occupancy Details sections may automatically populate the calculation fields. After completing any missing information, click Recalculate NFF.
Why isn't my Needed Fire Flow calculation updating?
Review the information in the Needed Fire Flow section and verify that all necessary fields are completed. Click Recalculate NFF to update the calculation.
What is the purpose of the Resource Requirements section?
This section allows departments to document operational considerations such as technical rescue needs, foam requirements, tanker support, warnings, and additional notes.
Why don't I see the Risk Assessment section?
The Risk Assessment functionality must be enabled for the department. Contact your First Due administrator to verify whether this feature is available to your agency.
Why am I unable to calculate a Risk Assessment Score?
Required information may be missing. Click Calculate Risk Score to display a window identifying incomplete fields. Complete the missing information and calculate the score again.
Can my department customize the Risk Assessment scoring system?
Yes. The training demonstrates that risk assessment fields can be customized to support a department-specific assessment scoring system.
Can I manually enter a Risk Assessment Score?
Yes. The Risk Assessment section includes a toggle that allows manual score entry according to the department's policies and procedures.