Purpose Statement

Agency Setup allows administrators to configure core organizational information, structure, and security settings for their First Due platform. This comprehensive configuration ensures the system accurately reflects your department's organizational hierarchy, branding, operational preferences, and security requirements.

Background Information

The Agency Setup module serves as the foundation for your First Due implementation, containing essential organizational data that affects multiple platform functions. Proper configuration during initial setup ensures accurate reporting, appropriate user access controls, and consistent branding across all modules. This setup directly impacts personnel management, scheduling workflows, incident reporting, and compliance tracking throughout your organization.

Required Permissions

• Agency Setup

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Configuring General Information

1. Click on Admin > Agency Setup
   

1. Under General Information, configure the following elements:
   • Upload a Department Logo for consistent branding across the platform
   • Change the Department Name to reflect your official organization title
   • Change the Fire Department Type to match your operational classification
   • Update the Average Annual Call Volume for accurate reporting baselines
     

Setting Up Headquarters Information

3. Under Headquarters section, update essential contact information:
   • Update the Phone Number for primary department contact
   • Update the Address for official department location
4. Click Save to preserve general and headquarters information
   

Configuring Organizational Structure

5. Navigate to the Organization tab
   

5. Add organizational components as needed:
   • Create Divisions to reflect your department's operational structure
   • Add Shifts to match your staffing schedule patterns
     

5. Scroll down to add Ranks to establish personnel hierarchy levels
   

5. Scroll further to add Positions for Form Builder integration and signature requirements
   

Note: Positions are found within Form Builders and are in relation to signatures

5. Click Save to preserve organizational structure settings
   

Establishing System Settings

10. Click on the Settings tab
    

10. Configure Time and Date preferences:
    • Adjust Time Zone to match your operational area
    • Select preferred Date Format for consistent display
    • Choose Time Format based on organizational standards
      

10. Adjust Name Preferences for personnel display:
    • Choose Name Order for consistent formatting
    • Select Secondary Identifier options
    • Determine suffix inclusion preferences
      

10. Set default user experience preferences by determining the default landing page and Role for users in your organization
    

10. Click Save to preserve settings configuration
    

Configuring Security Parameters

15. Click on the Security tab
    

15. Configure password and session security settings (contact CSM if settings are not visible):
    • Set Session Time Out to log users out after a period of inactivity
    • Enable Enforce Password Reuse Policy to prevent users from reusing the same password for a certain period of time
    • Configure Minimum Password Length to enforce minimum password requirements
    • Enable Require Strong Password to require special characters, numbers, and capitalized letters
    • Set Max Failed Login Attempts to lock users out after a certain number of attempts (default is 10, can be set lower but not increased past ten)
    • Enable Enforce Password Expiration Policy to require password changes every 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days, depending on your selection
      

15. Click Save to finalize security configuration
    

Best Practices

1. Complete Agency Setup configuration before adding personnel or creating schedules
   
2. Use consistent naming conventions across divisions, shifts, ranks, and positions
   
3. Regularly review and update call volume data for accurate reporting metrics
   
4. Implement strong password policies to maintain system security
   
5. Document organizational structure decisions for future reference and training
   
6. Test security settings with non-administrative accounts before full implementation
   
7. Coordinate with your Customer Success Manager for advanced security features
   
8. Maintain current contact information for emergency notifications and support
   

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I don't see all security settings options. What should I do? A: Contact your Customer Success Manager to enable additional security features for your organization.

Q: Can I change the maximum failed login attempts above 10? A: No, the system maximum is 10 attempts. You can set it lower but cannot exceed this limit.

Q: What happens if I change the department name after initial setup? A: The name change will update across the platform, but you should coordinate with your CSM to ensure proper integration with external systems.

Q: How often should I update the average annual call volume? A: Review and update this figure annually or whenever there are significant changes in your operational volume for accurate reporting baselines.