Downloading Multiple CAD Units

Downloading Multiple CAD Units

Purpose Statement

The Multiple CAD Units Download feature enables users to import data from multiple apparatus responses into a single ePCR (Electronic Patient Care Report). This streamlines documentation for incidents involving multiple units, eliminates duplicate data entry, automatically populates crew information, and ensures accurate unit coordination records. By consolidating information from all responding units, this feature saves time and improves reporting accuracy for multi-unit responses.

Background Information

Multi-unit responses are common in Fire/EMS operations, particularly for critical incidents, mass casualty events, or situations requiring specialized equipment. Traditional ePCR workflows often required separate reports or manual consolidation of unit information, leading to inefficiencies and potential data inconsistencies.
The Multiple CAD Units Download feature addresses these challenges by:
  • Allowing simultaneous import of multiple apparatus assignments from CAD
  • Designating a primary unit for the incident
  • Automatically importing crew member information from all selected units
  • Maintaining proper unit hierarchy and response coordination
Common Use Cases:
  • Multi-engine responses to structure fires
  • EMS calls requiring multiple ambulances
  • Technical rescue operations with specialized apparatus
  • Mass casualty incidents
  • Mutual aid responses
Prerequisites:
  • Active CAD system integration
  • Personnel certification levels configured in system
  • EMS Setup properly configured to allow multiple CAD unit downloads

Required Permissions

To download multiple CAD units into an ePCR, users must have the following permissions configured in First Due's ePCR roles and permissions:
General Permissions:
  • My EMS Care Reports - Create (required to initiate new ePCRs)
  • My EMS Care Reports - Read (required to access and view ePCRs)
  • My EMS Care Reports - Update (required to edit ePCR data after CAD download)
Setup Permissions (Administrator Only):
  • EMS Setup - Manage - Allow (required to enable the "Allow Download for Multiple CAD Units" setting)
Note: While other permissions in the General and Setup categories enhance overall ePCR functionality, the permissions listed above are the minimum requirements specifically for downloading multiple CAD units. Users without Create permissions for "My EMS Care Reports" will not be able to initiate new ePCRs where this feature is accessed.

Video


Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Enable Multiple CAD Units Download in System Settings

Before users can download multiple CAD units, an administrator must enable this feature in system configuration.
  1. Navigate to EMS Setup > General > General subsection
  2. Locate the Allow Download for Multiple CAD Units option
  3. Select the checkbox to enable this feature
  4. Save your changes
Required Permission: EMS Setup - Manage (Allow)
For detailed information on the EMS Setup configuration, refer to: EMS Setup - General Subsection





Step 2: Create a New ePCR
  1. Navigate to the Incident Documentation module
  2. Select EMS Incident List from the menu
  3. Click the Add New button to create a new ePCR


From the Incident Documentation module lets navigate to EMS Incident List and select on Add New.



Step 3: Access the CAD Download Function
  1. From within the newly created ePCR, locate and click the Download CAD button
  2. The CAD incident selection window will appear, displaying available calls from your CAD system


From within the ePCR now select Download CAD



Step 4: Locate and Select Your Incident
  1. Review the list of available CAD incidents
  2. Use the Filter options to narrow down the list if needed (filter by date, time, incident type, or address)
  3. Locate the appropriate call for your ePCR
  4. Click the Actions icon in the corresponding row


Locate the call you wish to download and select on the icon within the Actions column.



Step 5: Select Multiple Apparatus Units
  1. A modal window will appear displaying all units associated with the selected incident
  2. Review the list of responding apparatus
  3. Check the box next to each unit you wish to import into the ePCR
  4. Designate one unit as the Primary unit by selecting the appropriate radio button
  5. Click the Download CAD button to proceed
Important: The primary unit designation determines which unit's information takes precedence for certain data fields in the ePCR.


From the modal you can now select which apparatus you wish to pull into the report. Along with selecting which unit was the Primary. Once selected select Download CAD button.



Step 6: Import Crew Members
  1. After selecting units, a second modal will appear asking if you want to import crew members associated with the selected units
  2. Select Yes to import all crew members, or No to skip crew import
  3. Click Confirm to complete the import process
Note: Personnel must have certification levels configured in the system to be imported into an ePCR. If crew members do not appear, verify their certification settings.
For certification level configuration, see: Setting Up ePCR Certification Levels


A new modal will appear inquiring if you want to import all crew members that associated to the units.



Step 7: Verify Successful Import (Apparatus)
  1. After import completion, verify that all selected units appear in the ePCR
  2. Confirm the primary unit is correctly designated
  3. Review imported CAD data for accuracy


Now all units selected along with which was the primary unit have been successfully imported.



Step 8: Verify Successful Import (Crew Members) 

Depending on your EMS Setup configuration: Download Crew and Apparatus
  1. Locate the crew member field within the ePCR
  2. Confirm all crew members


Pending on your EMS Setup when allowing Multiple CAD Units from the dropdown all crew members can also import.

Best Practices

Do:
  • Always verify the correct incident is selected before downloading CAD data
  • Designate the appropriate primary unit based on incident command or patient care responsibility
  • Review imported crew information for accuracy before finalizing the report
  • Use filter options to quickly locate incidents in busy CAD systems
  • Ensure all responding units are selected to maintain complete incident documentation
Don't:
  • Import units that were not actually involved in patient care or scene operations
  • Forget to designate a primary unit - this is required for proper reporting
  • Proceed with import if crew members are missing; investigate certification level configuration first
  • Mix incidents - ensure all selected units correspond to the same call
  • Skip verification of imported data before completing the ePCR
Tips:
  • Configure personnel certification levels proactively to avoid import issues during active incidents
  • Establish department protocols for primary unit designation on multi-unit responses
  • Use consistent unit identification across CAD and First Due systems
  • Review user permissions regularly to ensure field personnel have appropriate access

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: Cannot create a new ePCR to begin the CAD download process
  • Solution: Verify you have the My EMS Care Reports - Create permission enabled. Contact your system administrator to request this permission if needed.
Issue: Crew members are not importing from selected units
    • Solution: Ensure all personnel have certification levels properly configured. Navigate to Personnel Management and verify each crew member's certification settings.
    Issue: Cannot locate the incident in the CAD download list
    • Solution: Check the following:
      • Verify the incident exists in your CAD system
      • Confirm CAD integration is functioning properly
      • Use filter options to expand your search parameters
      • Check that the incident date/time falls within your search range
      • Verify the incident hasn't already been downloaded to another ePCR
    Issue: Some units are missing from the selection modal
    • Solution: Confirm all units were properly assigned to the incident in the CAD system. 
    Issue: Wrong primary unit was designated
    • Solution: The primary unit designation can be changed after import.  
      • Edit the ePCR and update the primary unit selection in the unit information section.
      Issue: Crew member dropdown does not show all personnel from imported units
      • Solution: This feature is configuration-dependent. Verify that your EMS Setup has the crew import from dropdown option enabled for multiple CAD units. Contact your administrator to enable this setting if needed.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Q: Can I add additional units after the initial CAD download?
      A: Yes, you can download CAD data multiple times for the same ePCR to add units that were assigned later during the incident, provided you have the My EMS Care Reports - Update permission.
      ​
      Q: Will importing multiple units create duplicate patient records?
      A: No, the system consolidates unit information into a single ePCR for one patient. Multiple units document their involvement in the same report.

      Q: Can field users access this feature, or is it administrator-only?
      A: Field users can download multiple CAD units once an administrator has enabled the feature in EMS Setup. Individual field users must have My EMS Care Reports (Create, Read, Update) 

      Q: Does the order I select units matter?
      A: The selection order doesn't affect the ePCR; however, designating the correct primary unit is essential for accurate reporting and billing.
      ​
      Q: What if some crew members should not be included in the ePCR?
      A: You can manually remove crew members after import by editing the personnel section of the ePCR, provided you have My EMS Care Reports - Update permission.
      ​

        • Related Articles

        • Concurrent Data Entry of Apparatus within Incident Documentation

          Purpose Statement This feature enables multiple users to simultaneously work on different aspects of a fire incident report. While one user completes the main fire incident report, other users can access and document apparatus-specific information ...

        • Starting a new ePCR

          Purpose Statement This feature enables EMS personnel to begin a new electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) with imported CAD information, streamlining the documentation process by automatically populating incident details, unit times, assigned ...

        • Release Notes - ePCR

          In order to provide you with more detailed information on our updates we have broken the Release Notes down by module. Video New Features 1. Transfers What: This feature introduces a streamlined workflow for transferring electronic Patient Care ...

        • Completing an ePCR - Response

          Completing an ePCR - Response Purpose Statement To explain how to complete the Response section of an ePCR (electronic Patient Care Record) in First Due. This section captures critical incident response data including crew information, dispatch ...

        • NERIS Documentation - Associated Records

          Purpose Statement 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, ...