Skip to main content

Search

Knowledge Center

Creating Riding Positions for Apparatuses

Purpose Statement

This article guides administrators through the process of creating and managing riding positions for apparatuses within First Due. Riding positions define the specific crew assignments on fire apparatus (e.g., Driver/Operator, Officer, Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2) and are essential for accurate personnel accountability, crew tracking, and incident documentation. By establishing standardized riding positions, agencies ensure consistent reporting across all incidents and maintain clear records of personnel deployment on each apparatus.

Background Information

Riding positions are a foundational element of apparatus configuration in First Due's Incident Documentation module. These positions represent the specific roles and locations where personnel are assigned on each piece of apparatus during emergency responses. Common riding positions include Driver/Operator, Officer, Firefighter (various positions), and specialized roles like Paramedic or Technical Rescue Technician.

Why Riding Positions Matter:

  • Enable accurate crew accountability during incidents
  • Support NFIRS/NERIS and state reporting requirements for personnel deployment
  • Facilitate staffing analysis and deployment tracking
  • Allow for consistent documentation across all incidents
  • Support automatic population of incident reports with crew information

Common Use Cases:

  • Initial apparatus setup for new agencies
  • Adding positions for newly acquired apparatus
  • Standardizing positions across multiple apparatus of the same type
  • Creating specialized positions for technical rescue or hazmat units

Prerequisites:

  • Administrative access to First Due
  • Understanding of your agency's standard apparatus staffing configurations
  • Knowledge of which positions are required for different apparatus types (engine, truck, rescue, ambulance, etc.)

Required Permissions

To create and manage riding positions, users must have the following permissions:

Required Permission Level:

  • Administrator access to the Incident Documentation module
  • Incident Documentation Setup permissions (specifically Fire Incident Setup access)
     
Users without administrative permissions will not be able to access the Fire Incident Setup area or modify riding positions. Field users and supervisors can view and utilize established riding positions during incident documentation but cannot create or edit them.
 

Video


 

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Begin by navigating to the Incident Documentation module and selecting Fire Incident Setup.

 
Begin by navigating to the Incident Documentation module and selecting Fire Incident Setup.
2. Select on the Response section and scroll down until you come to the Riding Positions subsection.

 
Select on the Response section and scroll down until you come to the Riding Positions subsection.
3. To begin creating Riding Positions select on the +Add button.

 
4. Give the Position a name then select on Add.

 
Give the Position a name then select on Add.
5. From the Actions you are able to edit or delete existing riding positions.
  1. Pencil icon - allows you to edit the name of the riding position.
  2. Trashcan icon - deletes that riding position.
From the Actions you are able to edit or delete existing riding positions.
6. You are able to delete riding positions in bulk by using the check boxes then selecting the waste basket icon.

 
You are able to delete riding positions in bulk by using the check boxes then selecting the waste basket icon.
7. When deleting any riding positions before the deletion is finalized a warning modal will display, select Confirm to delete.
 
 
When deleting any riding positions before the deletion is finalized a warning modal will display, select Confirm to delete.

Best Practices

Do's:

  • Standardize naming conventions across your agency (e.g., always use "Driver/Operator" rather than mixing "Driver," "Operator," and "Engineer")
  • Create positions that match your SOPs and typical staffing configurations for each apparatus type
  • Consider future needs when establishing positions - it's easier to create comprehensive positions initially than to add them later
  • Document your position structure in your agency's training materials so all users understand which positions apply to which apparatus
  • Use position names that are clear to all personnel, including newer members who may not be familiar with abbreviations
  • Review and update positions annually to ensure they still reflect your operational practices

Don'ts:

  • Avoid creating duplicate positions with slightly different names (e.g., "FF1" and "Firefighter 1") - this creates confusion and inconsistent reporting
  • Don't delete positions without checking if they're currently assigned to apparatus or used in recent incident reports
  • Avoid overly complex naming - keep position names simple and recognizable
  • Don't create generic positions like "Position 1" or "Seat A" - use descriptive names that indicate the role
  • Don't forget to communicate changes to all users when positions are added, renamed, or removed

Tips for Success:

  • Create riding positions before configuring individual apparatus to streamline the apparatus setup process
  • Consider creating separate position sets for different apparatus types (engine positions, ladder positions, ambulance positions, etc.)
  • For combination departments, ensure positions work for both fire and EMS apparatus
  • Include specialized positions for technical rescue, hazmat, or other special operations units
  • Train all supervisors and field users on proper position assignment during incident documentation

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I created a riding position but it's not appearing when I try to assign it to an apparatus. Why?

A: After creating riding positions in this setup area, you must separately assign them to specific apparatus through the apparatus configuration. Navigate to the apparatus management section and edit each apparatus to assign the appropriate riding positions.

Q: Can I rename a riding position after it's been used on incident reports?

A: Yes, you can edit position names at any time using the pencil icon. However, be aware that changing the name will affect how it displays on all past and future incident reports. If the position has been extensively used, consider whether the name change is necessary or if creating a new position might be more appropriate.

Q: What happens to incident reports if I delete a riding position that was used on those reports?

A: Deleting a riding position that exists on historical incident reports may cause data integrity issues. The position may still display on old reports but will no longer be available for new incidents. Exercise caution and review usage before deleting any position. Consider archiving or renaming unused positions rather than deleting them.

Q: How many riding positions should I create for each apparatus?

A: Create enough positions to match your maximum staffing capacity for each apparatus type. For example, if an engine can carry up to 5 personnel, create 5 distinct positions. It's better to have positions available even if they're not always filled than to lack positions when you need them.

Q: Can different apparatus types share the same riding position names?

A: Yes, riding positions are global across all apparatus. Once created, a position like "Officer" or "Driver/Operator" can be assigned to any apparatus type. This promotes consistency in reporting across your agency.

Q: I accidentally deleted an important riding position. Can it be recovered?

A: Deleted riding positions cannot be recovered through the system. You'll need to recreate the position using the same name. If the position was assigned to apparatus, you'll need to reassign it to those apparatus. To prevent accidental deletion, carefully review the confirmation modal before selecting Confirm.

Q: Should I create positions for temporary staffing variations?

A: Create positions for your standard staffing configuration rather than temporary variations. For example, if you occasionally staff an additional firefighter position, create that position even if it's not always filled. Field users can simply leave unfilled positions empty during incident documentation.

Q: How do riding positions relate to crew assignments?

A: Riding positions define the available slots on an apparatus. During incident response, personnel are assigned to these positions to create the crew. The positions themselves are the framework; the actual personnel assignments are the crew roster.