Purpose Statement

The Burn Permit feature within the Community Connect module allows agencies to document and manage controlled burn activities submitted by residents. This ensures proper tracking, compliance with local regulations, and improved visibility for dispatch and response personnel.

Background Information

Burn permits are commonly used by fire departments to monitor and regulate open burning within their jurisdiction. By entering permits into First Due, agencies can centralize permit data, reduce manual tracking, and ensure accurate recordkeeping.

The Community Connect module enables departments to manage resident-submitted data, including burn permits, in a streamlined and searchable format. This feature is particularly useful for prevention teams, dispatchers, and administrative staff responsible for oversight and compliance.

Required Permissions

Users must have the following permissions:

• Access to the Community Connect module
• Ability to view and create burn permits
• Appropriate data entry permissions for resident and permit records

Permission access is typically granted to administrators, prevention personnel, or designated data managers.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide
 

1. Navigate to Burn Permits

1. Click on the First Due logo in the top navigation menu
2. Select Community Connect from the dropdown
3. Click on Burn Permits

2. Create a New Burn Permit

1. Click the New Burn Permit button on the left-hand side of the screen
2. A New Permit modal will appear

3. Enter Contact Information

1. Begin typing the contact name
2. If the user exists in the system:
   • Their phone number and email will automatically populate
3. If not, manually enter contact details as needed

4. Enter Permit Details

1. Input the burn address
2. Enter or confirm the phone number
3. Select a permit type
4. Fill in the following dates:
   • Issue Date
   • Start Date
   • Expiration Date
   • Rejected Date (if applicable)

5. Set Permit Status

1. Select the appropriate status (e.g., Active, Rejected)
2. Click Create
3. The permit will now appear in the Burn Permits list

Best Practices

• Always verify contact information before creating the permit
• Ensure dates are accurate to prevent compliance issues
• Use consistent permit types and statuses for reporting accuracy
• Avoid duplicate entries by searching for existing permits first
• Regularly review active permits to ensure they are still valid

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why isn’t the contact auto-populating?
A: The contact may not exist in the system. Enter the information manually or create a new contact record.

Q: I don’t see the “New Burn Permit” button.
A: Verify that you have the correct permissions to create burn permits.

Q: Can I edit a permit after creation?
A: Yes, if your permissions allow editing. Navigate to the permit in the list and select it to update details.

Q: What happens if a permit is rejected?
A: You should enter a Rejected Date and update the status accordingly for accurate tracking.