Purpose Statement

Asset Groups allow agencies to organize Apparatus, Equipment, Locations, and Kits into logical collections for easier management and operational visibility. Groups can help standardize asset organization based on use case, location, staffing, equipment type, or other agency-specific needs.

Background Information

Asset Groups provide a flexible way to organize related assets within the Assets module. Agencies can create groups based on operational needs such as:

• Apparatus: Use case, location, or staffing level
• Locations: Geographic area, battalion, physical location, or facility use
• Kits: Kit type, such as medical bags, ALS bags, rope rescue, or water rescue
• Equipment: Equipment type, FEMA cost code, ISO classification, or other equipment-specific criteria

Apparatus, Location, and Kit Groups use similar fields and creation workflows. Equipment Groups include additional configuration options.

Apparatus and Equipment Groups also support Bulk Update, allowing multiple groups to be updated at the same time.

Required Permissions

Users must have the applicable permissions based on the Asset Group types and functions they need to manage:

• Assets - Bulk Update Apparatus Groups — Required to bulk update Apparatus Groups
• Assets - Bulk Update Equipment Groups — Required to bulk update Equipment Groups
• Setup Apparatus Group — Required to create and manage Apparatus Groups
• Setup Equipment Group — Required to create and manage Equipment Groups
• Setup Location Group — Required to create and manage Location Groups
• Setup Kit Group — Required to create and manage Kit Groups

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Navigate to Asset Groups

• From the Assets module, select the First Due logo in the upper-left corner.
• Scroll down and select Setup.
• Locate the asset group options within the Setup menu.
• Select the group type you want to manage:
  • Apparatus Groups
  • Equipment Groups
  • Location Groups
  • Kit Groups

Apparatus Groups

1. Create an Apparatus Group

From Apparatus Groups, select New Apparatus Group.

1. Enter a Name for the group. Apparatus Groups are commonly organized by use case, location, or staffing level.
2. Enter a Description, if needed.

   • The Description is for administrative reference within the Apparatus Groups setup area and is not displayed to end users.

3. Select the apparatus that should belong to the group.
   • Ungrouped apparatus appears in regular, non-bold text.
   • Apparatus already assigned to a group appears in bold, along with its current group name.
4. Configure whether the group should Display on Fleet Overview.
5. Save the group.

2. Manage Apparatus Groups

• From the Apparatus Groups list, reorganize the sort order as needed. The sort order determines how groups appear on the Fleet Overview.
• Utilize the available list Filters to locate specific groups.
• To modify a group, select Edit and update the applicable information.
• To remove a group, select Delete and confirm the deletion.
• Download the Apparatus Groups list into a CSV file for local storage.

3. Bulk Update Apparatus Groups

• From Apparatus Groups, select the groups you want to modify.
• Select Bulk Update.
• Review the selected groups in the Bulk Update window to confirm that you are modifying the correct groups.
• Select the field you want to update. Apparatus Groups support bulk updates to:
  • Description
  • Display on Fleet Overview
• Enter the new description or toggle the Fleet Overview display setting on or off, depending on the selected field.
• Apply the Bulk Update.

Equipment Groups

1. Create an Equipment Group

From Equipment Groups, select the option to add a new Equipment Group.

Complete the applicable fields:

1. Group Name: Name of the Equipment Group
2. Short Code: Up to five characters; letters or numbers can be used
3. Equipment Type: Select the First Due equipment type that best represents the equipment in the group. Equipment record specification fields are associated with the selected Equipment Type.
4. FEMA Cost Code: Associate the group with a FEMA cost code when applicable. FEMA cost codes are managed within the FEMA Cost Code section of Setup.
5. ISO Classification: Enter the applicable ISO classification.
6. Include in Equipment Audit: Enable this option to include the group in an Equipment & Kit Audit within a checklist.
7. Description: Enter an internal description for the group.
8. Equipment: Select the equipment that should belong to the group.
   • Search the equipment list as needed to locate specific items.
   • Review the equipment's current grouping:
     • Ungrouped equipment appears at the top of the list in regular, non-bold text.
     • Equipment already assigned to a group appears in bold.
   • Select the appropriate equipment. Existing grouped equipment can be reassigned to the new group.
9. Save the Equipment Group.

2. Import Equipment Groups Using CSV

• Navigate to Equipment Groups.
• Select the option to Import Equipment Groups using a CSV file.
• Upload the applicable CSV file.
• Complete the import process.

3. Manage Equipment Groups

• From the Equipment Groups list, reorganize the sort order as needed.
• Utilize the available list Filters to locate specific groups.
• To modify a group, select Edit and update the applicable information.
• To remove a group, select Delete and confirm the deletion.
• Download the Equipment Groups list into a CSV file for local storage.

4. Bulk Update Equipment Groups

• From Equipment Groups, select the groups you want to modify.
• Select Bulk Update.
• Review the groups displayed in the Bulk Update workflow to confirm that you selected the correct groups.
• Select the field you want to update. Equipment Groups support bulk updates to:
  • Description
  • Equipment Type
  • FEMA Cost Code
  • ISO Classification
• Enter or select the new value for the chosen field.
• Review the change in the preview table, when applicable.
• Select Next.
• Review and save the Bulk Update to apply the change to the selected Equipment Groups.

Location Groups

1. Create a Location Group

1. Enter a Name for the group. 
2. Enter a Description, if needed.

   • The Description is for administrative reference within the Locations Groups setup area and is not displayed to end users.

3. Select the locations that should belong to the group.
   • Ungrouped locations appears in regular, non-bold text.
   • Locations already assigned to a group appears in bold, along with its current group name.
4. Save the group.

2. Manage Location Groups

• From the Location Groups list, reorganize the sort order as needed.
• Utilize the available list Filters to locate specific groups.
• To modify a group, select Edit and update the applicable information.
• To remove a group, select Delete and confirm the deletion.
• Download the Location Groups list into a CSV file for local storage.

Kit Groups

1. Create a Kit Group

1. Enter a Name for the group. 
2. Enter a Description, if needed.

   1. The Description is for administrative reference within the Kit Groups setup area and is not displayed to end users.

3. Select the kits that should belong to the group.
   1. Ungrouped kits appears in regular, non-bold text.
   2. Kits already assigned to a group appears in bold, along with its current group name.
4. Save the group.

2. Manage Kit Groups

• From the Kit Groups list, reorganize the sort order as needed.
• Utilize the available list Filters to locate specific groups.
• To modify a group, select Edit and update the applicable information.
• To remove a group, select Delete and confirm the deletion.
• Download the Kits Groups list into a CSV file for local storage.

Best Practices

• Use consistent naming conventions across Asset Groups.
• Organize groups according to operationally meaningful criteria such as location, function, staffing, or equipment type.
• Review existing group assignments before moving an asset into a new group.
• Keep group membership and sort order current as agency assets and operations change.
• Before using Bulk Update, carefully review all selected groups and confirm that they should receive the same change.
• Use the Bulk Update preview for Equipment Groups to verify changes before saving.
• Select the Equipment Type that best represents the equipment because equipment specification fields are associated with the selected type.
• Use FEMA Cost Codes and ISO Classifications when those fields are relevant to your agency's tracking and reporting needs.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why can't I access Asset Groups or the Bulk Update option?

Verify that your user account has the appropriate permission for the action you are attempting. For example, managing Apparatus Groups requires Setup Apparatus Group, while using the Apparatus Group Bulk Update workflow requires Assets - Bulk Update Apparatus Groups.

What happens if I assign an apparatus that already belongs to another Apparatus Group?

An apparatus can belong to only one Apparatus Group at a time. Assigning it to a new group removes it from its previous group and places it in the new group.

How can I tell whether an asset is already grouped?

Within the applicable asset selection list, assets already assigned to a group appear in bold with their existing group information. Ungrouped assets appear in regular, non-bold text.

What happens when I delete a group?

Deleting a group removes the grouping but does not delete the associated assets.

What fields can I Bulk Update for Apparatus Groups?

You can Bulk Update the Description and Display on Fleet Overview fields.

What fields can I Bulk Update for Equipment Groups?

You can Bulk Update the Description, Equipment Type, FEMA Cost Code, and ISO Classification fields.

Does Bulk Update apply a change to every selected group?

Yes. The selected value is applied to all groups included in that Bulk Update. Make sure the selected groups should share the same value before saving.

Can Location and Kit Groups be Bulk Updated?

The Bulk Update workflow described here applies to Apparatus Groups and Equipment Groups.

Is an Equipment Group description visible to end users?

No. The description is intended for administrative reference within the Equipment Groups setup area.