What is the payroll summary feature in First Due?
The payroll summary feature allows you to track and manage compensation for personnel across training, events, and incident documentation. It provides a way to assign activity types, stipends, pay rates, and point totals that can be reported on later.
What is an activity type and why is it important?
An activity type is a classification tag that helps filter and categorize different types of activities (like training, meetings, medical incidents). It allows you to better organize your payroll data when generating reports and is essential for accurate tracking.
Do I need to enable payroll summary for each module separately?
Yes. You need to enable payroll summary in each module separately:
Training: Training → Setup → Enable payroll summary grid
Events: Events and Activities → Setup → General tab → Enable payroll summary
Incident Documentation: Incident Documentation → Fire Incident Setup → Response tab → Payroll Summary (checkbox)
Why isn't my payroll data showing in reports?
The most common reason is that the training class, event, or incident documentation hasn't been marked as "complete." Only completed items will appear in the payroll summary reports.
Setup and Configuration
How do I create a new activity type?
Go to Personnel → Setup
Click on Activity Type
Click Add New
Enter a name (e.g., "Voluntary Training")
Create a short code (up to 8 characters)
Choose a color
Click Save
Can I edit or delete an activity type after creation?
Yes, you can edit existing activity types through the same menu (Personnel → Setup → Activity Type).
Is there a limit to how many activity types I can create?
There is not a limit on how many activity types you can create
Training Module
Go to Training → Training Classes
Find and edit the class you want to modify
Click on "Payroll Summary" tab
Select the attendees to update
Click Update and choose the field to modify (activity type, stipend, point total)
Enter the values and click Save
Complete the class when finished
Can I assign different pay rates to different people in the same training?
Yes. You can update individuals by clicking the pencil icon next to their name, or update everyone at once by selecting all and using the update button.
Events and Activities
How do I add payroll information to an event?
Go to Events and Activities → Event List
Edit the event you want to modify
Go to Participants tab and ensure participants are added
Click on Payroll Summary tab
Select participants to update
Choose fields to update (activity type, stipend, pay rate, point total)
Enter values and click Update
Complete the event when finished
Can I track hours for events differently than for training?
Yes, both modules allow you to set different activity types, stipends, pay rates, and point totals according to your department's needs.
Incident Documentation
Go to Incident Documentation → Fire Incident List
Edit the incident
Click on Payroll Summary tab
Click Add to add additional personnel
Select the person, enter date/time, and click Create
You can then update their payroll information
Can I add payroll information to multiple personnel at once in an incident?
Yes. Just like in training and events, you can select multiple personnel, click Update, choose the fields to modify, and apply the changes to everyone at once.
Reporting
What payroll reports are available in First Due?
First Due offers several report types:
Points report (canned report)
Incidents, Training, and Events Payroll report (canned report)
FDR reports with various payroll summary details
How do I access the payroll reports?
For canned reports: Reports → Payroll/Points
For ad hoc reports: Reports → Ad Hoc Reports → First Due Reports → search for FDR-PS
Can I filter the reports by date range?
Yes, all reports have filter options including date ranges. Click on the "Advanced" button to see all available filters.
How do I export payroll data?
All reports have the option to download as a CSV file, which can be opened in Excel or other spreadsheet programs.
How do I set maximum points for reporting?
In the Points report, you can set maximum points for incidents, training, and events in the boxes on the right side of the screen, then click Apply.
Troubleshooting
Why is my payroll data not showing up in reports?
Check that:
You've enabled payroll summary in the respective module
You've completed the training class, event, or incident documentation
You're using the correct date filters in the report
Can I edit payroll information after completing a class, event, or incident?
You would need to "uncomplete" the item first, make your changes, and then complete it again.
Who should I contact for additional support?
Contact First Due support through your designated channels or your designated First Due contact.