Purpose Statement
The ERF Calculator Dashboard in Advanced Data Insights allows agencies to measure and monitor Effective Response Force (ERF) performance based on configurable staffing and time benchmarks.
This dashboard helps departments evaluate whether the required number of personnel arrived on scene within the defined timeframe, supporting compliance tracking, staffing decisions, operational planning, and accreditation efforts.
Background Information
The ERF Calculator Dashboard focuses on Effective Response Force (ERF), a key performance measure used to determine whether sufficient personnel arrive on scene within an agency-defined time standard.
This dashboard is especially useful for evaluating fireground response, staffing coverage, deployment effectiveness, and accreditation-related performance standards.
Users can analyze:
- ERF compliance percentages
- 90th percentile ERF response times
- Average ERF response times
- Performance by month, hour of day, station, shift, fire zone, ZIP code, and incident details
Important:
Advanced Data Insights dashboards are part of a paid upgrade package and may not be available to all agencies. If this dashboard is not visible, contact your Client Success Manager.
Prerequisites:
- Access to Advanced Data Insights
- Accurate unit response and personnel data
- Defined ERF benchmarks, including personnel count and time standard
Required Permissions
Users must have appropriate permissions to access dashboards and ERF-related incident data.
Typical permissions include:
- Advanced Data Insights access
- Dashboard view permissions
- Incident and unit response data access
Recommended roles:
- Administrators
- Chiefs
- Operations leadership
- Accreditation and standards personnel
- Analysts and data managers
Step-by-Step Guide
- Go to the First Due logo.
- Access the module stack.
- Select the Dashboard module.
- Select either Dashboards or Dashboard List.
- Select the ERF Calculator Dashboard from the drop-down list.
Dashboard Features & Highlights
Configurable ERF Requirements
- Set the required Personnel Count for ERF compliance
- Set the required Standard Time for personnel arrival
- Use these configurable values to match agency standards, operational goals, or accreditation benchmarks
Filter Options
Users can refine dashboard data by:
- Alarm Date
- Incident Group, such as NERIS or NFIRS
- Apparatus Type
- Response Mode
- Shift
- Fire Zone
- Station
- Population Density
KPI Summary Cards
The dashboard includes key performance indicators such as:
- ERF Compliance Percentage
- 90th Percentile ERF Response Time
- Average ERF Response Time
Trend Analysis
Users can evaluate ERF performance over time using:
- Monthly compliance trends
- 90th percentile response time by month
- 90th percentile response time by hour of day
Map Visualizations
Map views help agencies identify geographic trends in ERF performance, including:
- Compliant incidents
- Non-compliant incidents
- Compliance by fire zone or ZIP code
Summary Tables
Summary tables allow users to compare ERF performance across:
- Stations
- Shifts
- Fire zones
Metrics may include compliance percentage, total calls, and response time performance.
Incident-Level Detail
Detailed tables allow users to review individual incidents and unit-level response data to determine why a response met or failed ERF requirements.
Best Practices
- Establish clear ERF benchmarks aligned with department standards
- Review compliance trends regularly to identify staffing or deployment gaps
- Use geographic and shift-based analysis to evaluate coverage concerns
- Validate personnel counts and timestamps for accurate calculations
- Use incident-level data to investigate non-compliant responses
Avoid:
- Using incomplete or inconsistent personnel data
- Setting unrealistic ERF benchmarks without operational context
- Ignoring recurring non-compliant response patterns
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is ERF compliance not calculating?
Both the personnel count and standard time must be defined before ERF metrics can calculate.
How is ERF compliance determined?
An incident is compliant when the required number of personnel arrive on scene within the defined time standard.
Why do compliance rates seem low?
Low compliance may result from strict benchmarks, incomplete staffing data, missing timestamps, or response delays.
Can ERF standards be customized?
Yes. Users can define personnel and time requirements based on agency standards or accreditation guidelines.
Why are some areas missing from maps?
Map views depend on properly configured GIS layers and valid incident location data.