Purpose Statement

The Narrative Templates feature allows agencies to create reusable narrative content for Fire Investigation reports. This helps standardize documentation, reduce repetitive typing, and improve consistency when completing investigation narratives.

Background Information

Narrative Templates are managed within Investigation Setup and can be enabled for use during Fire Investigation documentation. Once created, users can quickly apply a saved template while documenting an investigation instead of manually entering the same narrative content each time.

Administrators can:

• Create new narrative templates
• Edit existing templates
• Activate or deactivate templates
• Delete templates that are no longer needed

This feature is especially useful for agencies that use common language, recurring report structures, or standardized investigative wording.

Required Permissions

Users typically need permissions related to:

• Fire Investigation
• Investigation Setup
• Narrative Template Management
• Create/Edit Setup Records

Permission names may vary by agency configuration.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide
 

1. Navigate to Narrative Templates

1. Navigate to Fire Investigation.
2. Select Investigation Setup.
3. Select the Narrative Templates tab.

2. Create a New Narrative Template

1. Select + Add button.
2. In the modal, enter a Template Name.
3. Enter the narrative text that should be available for use when documenting a Fire Investigation.
4. Select Save.

3. Manage Existing Templates

1. Review the list of existing Narrative Templates.
2. Use the Active column to control whether a template appears when documenting an investigation.
3. In the Actions column:
   • Select the pencil icon to edit a template
   • Select the trashcan icon to delete a template
4. Bulk delete Templates
   • Select checkbox next to the templates name
   • Select the delete button to delete all selected templates
5. Adjust pagination using the down arrow to select number of records to appear 

4. Confirm Template Deletion

1. When deleting a template, a warning modal will appear asking you to confirm the deletion.
2. If confirmed, the template will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored.

5. Use a Narrative Template in an Investigation

1. After Narrative Templates have been created, the Use Template option will be enabled while documenting an Investigation.
2. To view a template, expand by using the down arrow.
3. Select the checkbox next to the desired template.
4. Select Use Template to apply the template in the Investigation narrative.

Best Practices

• Use clear, descriptive template names so users can quickly identify the correct option.
• Keep template wording standardized and professional.
• Review active templates regularly to remove outdated or duplicate content.
• Deactivate templates that are no longer needed instead of deleting them immediately when historical consistency matters.
• Test templates in an Investigation record to confirm the wording fits the intended workflow.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why is Use Narrative Template not available when documenting an Investigation?
At least one active Narrative Template must be created before the option becomes available.

What does the Active column control?
It determines whether the template appears as an option when documenting a Fire Investigation.

Can I edit an existing Narrative Template?
Yes. Select the pencil icon in the Actions column to update the template.

Can I recover a deleted Narrative Template?
No. Once deletion is confirmed, it cannot be reverted.

Why don’t I see a template while documenting an Investigation?
The template may be inactive, unsaved, or you may not have the required permissions.