Purpose Statement

1. The purpose of this article is to explain how to view, link, or unlink EMS records using the Associated Records section within a Fire Incident Report. This feature enables seamless integration between Fire and EMS documentation, ensuring complete incident records and eliminating duplicate data entry.

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Background Information

1. The Associated Records section allows users to connect one or more EMS ePCRs (electronic Patient Care Reports) to a Fire Incident Report when both modules are in use. This integration ensures better reporting continuity, eliminates duplicate data entry, and supports integrated incident documentation across Fire and EMS operations.

   
   
   Important: The Associated Records section only appears for agencies that utilize the First Due EMS/ePCR module. If you do not see this tab in your Fire Incident Reports, contact your system administrator to confirm your agency's module configuration.
   
   

   Common use cases include:

   • Medical assists where both Fire and EMS respond
   • Multi-unit responses requiring both Fire suppression and patient care
   • Incidents where Fire personnel provide initial medical care before EMS arrival
   • Unified reporting for combined Fire/EMS operations

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Video

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Access the Associated Records Section

• Open an existing Fire Incident Report.
• Navigate to the Associated Records tab.

2. View or Unlink an Associated ePCR

• In the Actions column:
  • Click the eye icon to view the linked EMS report (ePCR).
  • Click the chain link icon to unlink the ePCR.

3. Confirm Unlinking

• When unlinking an EMS report, a confirmation modal will appear.
• Click Confirm to finalize the unlinking process.

4. Link an ePCR to the Fire Incident

• Click the +Add button in the Associated Records section.

5. View the Associated Records Modal

• The modal will open with a list of EMS reports from the past 3 days, shown by default.

6.  Use Filter Options

• Click Filter to refine your search.
• You can filter by:
  
• Incident Number
• Unit Dispatch Notified At
• Address

7. Apply Filters

• After entering criteria, click Apply Filters to refresh the results.

8. Preview Records

• Use the eye icon in the Actions column to preview an ePCR.
• Adjust the number of records shown per page using the pagination options.

9. Link Selected ePCR(s)

• Check the box next to one or more EMS records.
• Click the Link button to associate them with the Fire Incident Report.

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Best Practices

Verification Before Linking

• Always verify that the EMS record matches the Fire Incident before linking by previewing the ePCR details
• Confirm matching incident numbers, addresses, and timestamps to ensure accurate association
• Double-check that the EMS record corresponds to the same actual incident, not just a similar call

• Use filters to reduce search time and minimize the risk of linking incorrect records
• Start with broader filter criteria (date range) and narrow down as needed
• Filter by incident number when you have specific ePCR information available

• Avoid unlinking records unless absolutely necessary, as it could affect reporting continuity and historical data accuracy
• Document the reason for unlinking if your agency requires an audit trail
• Link all relevant ePCRs at the time of incident report completion to maintain complete documentation

• For incidents with multiple EMS units, review all available ePCRs before selecting which to link
• Consider linking all patient care reports associated with the same incident scene
• Coordinate with EMS personnel to ensure all relevant reports are captured

• Link ePCRs as soon as possible after incident completion while details are fresh
• Check for new ePCRs if EMS arrived after Fire cleared the scene
• Review Associated Records before finalizing Fire Incident Reports to ensure completeness

Troubleshooting & FAQs

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