Purpose Statement
The Associated ePCR indicator allows Fire Department users to quickly identify Fire Incidents that have one or more linked electronic Patient Care Reports directly from the Fire Incident List.
A Star of Life icon appears for Fire Incidents with associated ePCR records. Selecting the icon displays information about each linked ePCR and allows authorized users to open the ePCR without first opening the Fire Incident.
This feature helps users:
- Quickly identify incidents with related EMS documentation
- Access associated ePCR records from the Fire Incident List
- Review the status, unit, and crew information for linked ePCRs
- Reduce unnecessary navigation between Fire and EMS records
Background Information
Fire Incidents may have one or more ePCR records associated with them. These associations may be created manually or automatically, depending on the agency’s configuration and available integrations.
Previously, users had to open the Fire Incident and navigate to the Associated Records section to determine whether an ePCR was linked.
When this feature is enabled, the Fire Incident List includes a dedicated Star of Life column. The Star of Life icon appears only when at least one active ePCR is associated with the Fire Incident.
Selecting the icon opens a list of the associated ePCR records while keeping the user on the Fire Incident List.
Note: This feature requires the appropriate feature flag to be enabled for the agency.
Required Permissions
Users must have permission to access the Fire Incident List.
To open an associated ePCR from the displayed list, users must also have permission to view EMS care reports or ePCR records.
Permissions may include:
- Access to Incident Documentation
- Permission to view Fire Incident Reports
- Permission to view the Fire Incident List
- Permission to read or view EMS Care Reports
The EMS module must also be enabled for the agency.
If the Star of Life column or associated ePCR links are not available, contact your First Due administrator or First Due Support to confirm that:
- The feature flag is enabled
- The EMS module is enabled
- The user has the necessary Fire and EMS permissions
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open the Fire Incident List
- Select the Module Stack.
- Navigate to Incident Documentation.
- Open the Fire Incident List.
Step 2: Locate the Associated ePCR Indicator
Review the Star of Life column within the Fire Incident List.
When one or more ePCR records are associated with a Fire Incident, a Star of Life icon appears in that incident’s row.
When no ePCR records are associated with the incident:
- The Star of Life icon is not displayed
- The column does not provide a clickable action
- Selecting the empty area does not open a record or window
Step 3: View the Associated ePCR Records
Select the Star of Life icon for the Fire Incident.
A window or popover displays the associated ePCR records.
Each associated ePCR appears on a separate row and may include:
- ePCR incident number
- Current ePCR status
- Responding or primary unit
- Crew lead or associated crew member
When multiple ePCR records are linked to the same Fire Incident, each ePCR is displayed individually.
Step 4: Open an Associated ePCR
Select the hyperlinked ePCR incident number.
The selected ePCR opens for review based on your permissions.
If you do not have permission to view EMS care reports, the incident number may not be available as an active link.
Opening or reviewing the associated ePCR does not change the relationship between the Fire Incident and the ePCR.
Feature Behavior
The Associated ePCR indicator is informational and provides access to existing linked records.
This feature does not:
- Create an association between a Fire Incident and an ePCR
- Remove an existing association
- Modify ePCR content
- Change the ePCR status
- Change Fire Incident information
- Alter the logic used to associate records
- Display deleted or excluded ePCR records
Associations must already exist before the Star of Life indicator appears.
Best Practices
- Use the Star of Life indicator to confirm whether EMS documentation exists before opening the Fire Incident.
- Review each row when multiple ePCRs are associated with the same Fire Incident.
- Verify the ePCR status before beginning administrative, QA/QI, or billing follow-up.
- Confirm that you are opening the correct ePCR when multiple patients or EMS responses are associated with the incident.
- Use the Associated Records section within the Fire Incident when additional record-management options are required.
- Do not assume that a missing Star of Life icon means no EMS response occurred. An ePCR may exist but may not yet be associated with the Fire Incident.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why do I not see the Star of Life column?
The feature may not be enabled for your agency.
Contact your First Due administrator or First Due Support to confirm that the associated ePCR indicator feature flag is enabled.
The EMS module must also be enabled for the agency.
Why is there no Star of Life icon for a Fire Incident?
The icon appears only when at least one qualifying ePCR is associated with the Fire Incident.
Possible reasons include:
- No ePCR has been associated with the Fire Incident
- The ePCR and Fire Incident have not yet been linked
- The associated ePCR was deleted or excluded
- The records belong to different incidents
- The association process has not completed
- The feature flag is not enabled
Open the Fire Incident and review the Associated Records section to confirm whether an ePCR association exists.
Why can I see the ePCR but cannot open it?
You may not have permission to view EMS care reports.
Contact your administrator to verify that your role includes permission to read or view ePCR records.
What happens when multiple ePCR records are associated with one Fire Incident?
Each associated ePCR is displayed on a separate row.
The displayed information may include the incident number, status, unit, and crew lead for each record.
Does selecting the Star of Life icon change the Fire Incident or ePCR?
No. The Star of Life indicator is a display and navigation feature only.
Selecting the icon does not modify the records or their association.
Can I add or remove an ePCR association from the Fire Incident List?
No. This feature does not change how associations are created or managed.
Use the applicable Associated Records workflow to manage record associations.
Why does the Star of Life icon show a number?
In software versions where the count badge is enabled, the number represents the total number of associated ePCR records.
Count-badge availability may depend on the final product configuration or software release.
Are imported or deleted ePCR records included?
Deleted, excluded, or otherwise non-qualifying ePCR records may not be included in the associated record count or displayed list.