Skip to main content

Search

Knowledge Center

Fire Investigation Setup - Custom Questions

Purpose Statement

The Custom Questions feature in Investigation Setup allows agencies to create and manage additional questions within Fire Investigation reports. This enables departments to capture agency-specific data, improve documentation completeness, and support compliance and reporting requirements.

Background Information

Custom Questions are configured within Field Management and can be placed in specific sections of an Investigation Report. These questions support multiple data types and can be required or optional depending on agency needs.

Administrators can:

  • Create new custom questions
  • Define how questions are answered (data type)
  • Control where questions appear in the report
  • Enable or disable questions
  • Manage dropdown values for list-based questions

Required Permissions

Users typically need:

  • Fire Investigation Access
  • Investigation Setup
  • Field Management
  • Custom Question Management

Permissions may vary by agency configuration.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide
 

1. Navigate to Investigation Setup

  1. Navigate to Fire Investigation.
  2. Select Investigation Setup.

 

 

2. Open Field Management

  1. Select the Field Management tab.

 

 

3. View or Manage Existing Custom Questions

  1. Create New Custom Questions
  2. Review the list of existing Custom Questions.
  3. Use the Active column toggle:
    • Enabled → Question appears in Investigation Reports
    • Disabled → Question is hidden
  4. Use the Actions column:
    • Pencil icon → Edit question
    • Trashcan icon → Delete question (only if it has not been used)
  5. Bulk Actions after selecting using checkboxes:
    • Activate
    • Deactivate
    • Delete

 

 

4. Create or Edit a Custom Question

  1. From the Custom Question Management modal.
  2. Enter a Field Label (this is the question shown to users).

 

 

5. Select Section Placement

  1. Use the Section dropdown to choose where the question appears in the Investigation Report.
  2. Search or scroll to locate the desired section.

 

 

6. Select Type Code

  1. Choose how the question will be answered using the Type Code dropdown.

Available data types include:

  • Boolean (Yes/No toggle)
  • Date/Time
  • List
  • Integer/Number
  • Text/String
  • Memo/Description

 

 

7. Configure Boolean Type

  • Used for Yes/No (True/False) responses
  • Optional Definition field for internal reference
  • Select Save when complete

 

 

8. Configure Date/Time Type

  • Accepts date and time inputs
  • Options may include:
    • Internal definition
    • Is Required
  • Select Save when complete

 

 

9. Configure List Type

  • Provides a dropdown of predefined options
  • Options include:
    • Internal definition
    • Is Required
    • Multiselect (allow multiple selections)

 

 

10. Add List Values

  1. When List is selected, a Values tab appears.
  2. Select + Add to create new values.
  3. For each value:
    • Enter a unique Code
    • Enter a Description (answer)
    • Enable/disable the value within the Active column
    • Delete using the trashcan icon
    • Rearrange positions using the six dot grid to drag and drop
  4. Bulk options are available using the check boxes
    • Activate
    • Deactivate
    • Delete
  5. Select Save when complete

 

 

11. Configure Integer/Number Type

  • Accepts numeric input
  • Options include:
    • Internal definition
    • Maximum character of limits
    • Is Required
  • Select Save

 

 

12. Configure Text/String Type

  • Accepts short text responses
  • Options include:
    • Internal definition
    • Maximum number of character
    • Is Required

 

 

13. Configure Memo/Description Type

  • Accepts longer, expandable narrative responses
  • Options include:
    • Internal definition
    • Maximum number of characters
    • Is Required

 

 

14. Use Custom Questions in an Investigation

  1. Once configured and active, Custom Questions will appear in their selected section during Investigation documentation.
  2. Users can complete these fields as part of the report workflow.

Best Practices

  • Use clear, concise wording for question labels.
  • Only mark questions as required when necessary to avoid slowing down users.
  • Group questions logically by selecting appropriate sections.
  • Use List type for standardized responses and reporting consistency.
  • Regularly review active questions to ensure relevance.
  • Disable unused questions instead of deleting them when historical data exists.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why can’t I delete a Custom Question?
If the question has already been answered in an Investigation, it cannot be deleted.

Why isn’t my question showing in the report?
Ensure the question is marked as Active and placed in the correct section.

What’s the difference between Text and Memo fields?

  • Text/String is for short responses
  • Memo/Description is for longer, detailed input

Can I allow multiple answers for a question?
Yes, enable Multiselect when using the List data type.

Can I edit a question after it’s created?
Yes, using the pencil icon, unless restricted by system rules or usage.