Purpose Statement

The Compound Rotation feature allows administrators to assign personnel to alternate between two different assignments on consecutive days within a single rotation cycle. This functionality ensures seamless staffing coverage when personnel need to work across multiple stations, apparatus, or roles while maintaining proper rotation tracking and compliance with labor agreements.

Background Information

Compound Rotations are essential for fire and EMS departments that require personnel to split their time between different operational assignments during a work cycle. This feature is commonly used when:

• Personnel rotate between fire suppression and EMS assignments
• Staff alternate between station assignments due to operational needs
• Cross-training requirements mandate exposure to different roles
• Coverage gaps necessitate splitting assignments across multiple units
• FLSA cycle tracking requires documentation of varied work assignments

This scheduling approach maintains rotation integrity while providing flexibility for complex staffing scenarios. The system automatically alternates the assignments on consecutive days, eliminating the need for manual daily adjustments.

Required Permissions

• Access Scheduling 
  
• Access Shift Board 
  
• Add/Edit Personnel into Shift Board

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Navigate to the Shift Board

1. From the main navigation menu, click on Scheduling
2. Select Shift Board from the dropdown options
3. The Shift Board calendar view will display with all active shifts and vacancies
   

Step 2: Select the Vacancy

1. Locate the vacancy that needs to be filled with a compound rotation assignment
   
2. Click on the specific vacancy cell to open the assignment dialog
   

IMPORTANT: Navigate to the first day of the rotation cycle before selecting the vacancy. This ensures the rotation pattern begins correctly and alternates on the proper schedule. Starting mid-cycle can cause assignment misalignment

Step 3: Assign the Personnel

1. In the assignment dialog, begin typing the individual's name in the personnel search field
2. Select the correct person from the dropdown list that appears
   

Step 4: Configure Compound Rotation

1. Locate the Rotation Menu dropdown in the assignment dialog
2. Select Compound Rotation from the available rotation types
3. The compound rotation configuration panel will expand with additional options
   

Step 5: Select the Second Assignment

1. In the compound rotation panel, choose the second assignment the user will alternate to
2. This should be the assignment for Day 2 of the rotation pattern
3. Verify that both the primary (Day 1) and secondary (Day 2) assignments are correct
   

Step 6: Configure Rotation Parameters

Complete all required fields in the compound rotation setup:

1. From Date: Enter the start date for this rotation assignment
2. Until Date: Enter the end date for this rotation assignment
3. Work Type: Select the appropriate work type from the dropdown menu
4. Project Code: Choose the relevant project code for tracking and reporting purposes
5. Kelly Days: Determine if Kelly Days will be applied during this rotation period
   • Check the box if Kelly Days are applicable
   • Leave unchecked if not applicable to this assignment
6. Notes: Add any relevant notes about the assignment, special instructions, or scheduling considerations
   

Step 7: Save the Assignment

1. Review all configuration settings to ensure accuracy
2. Click the Save button to commit the compound rotation assignment
3. The system will process the rotation and apply it to the schedule
   

Step 8: Verify the Rotation

1. After saving, observe the Shift Board to confirm proper assignment:
   • Day 1: The individual appears on the first assignment
   • Day 2: The individual automatically appears on the second assignment
2. The rotation will continue alternating daily throughout the specified date range
3. Verify that Kelly Days (if enabled) are correctly calculated and displayed
   

Best Practices

Do's:

• Always start compound rotation configuration on the first day of the rotation cycle to maintain proper alternation
• Document the reason for compound rotations in the Notes field for future reference and audit trails
• Verify personnel availability before assigning compound rotations to avoid conflicts
• Review FLSA implications when alternating between assignments with different work types
• Coordinate with personnel being assigned to ensure they understand their rotation schedule
• Use consistent Project Codes for similar compound rotation scenarios to improve reporting accuracy
• Plan compound rotations in advance to give personnel adequate notice of their schedule

Don'ts:

• Don't assign compound rotations mid-cycle without verifying the alternation pattern
• Don't forget to configure Kelly Days if they're part of your labor agreement
• Don't leave the Notes field blank – always document the purpose of the compound rotation
• Don't assign compound rotations that conflict with existing time-off requests or other assignments
• Don't use compound rotations as a substitute for properly configured standard rotations when not needed
• Don't modify compound rotations without considering downstream effects on FLSA tracking and payroll

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Starting the rotation on the wrong day of the cycle, causing Day 1/Day 2 assignments to be reversed
• Failing to set the Until Date, which can result in indefinite assignments
• Selecting incompatible Work Types that create compliance or payroll issues
• Not communicating schedule changes to personnel in advance
• Overlapping compound rotations with conflicting assignments

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: The compound rotation is not alternating correctly

• Solution: Verify that you started the assignment on the first day of the rotation cycle. Delete the assignment and recreate it starting on the correct cycle day.

Issue: Personnel shows on the same assignment for multiple consecutive days

• Solution: Confirm that you selected two different assignments in the compound rotation configuration. The primary and secondary assignments must be distinct.

Issue: Kelly Days are not calculating correctly

• Solution: Review your Kelly Day settings and ensure the checkbox was properly selected during setup. Verify that your department's Kelly Day policy is correctly configured in system settings.

Issue: The Until Date is not being respected

• Solution: Ensure the Until Date is set to the end of the rotation cycle, not mid-cycle. The system may extend assignments to complete full rotation patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I assign compound rotations for more than two assignments? A: No, the Compound Rotation feature is designed for alternating between two assignments only. For more complex patterns, consider using multiple overlapping rotations or consult with your system administrator about custom rotation configurations.

Q: How do compound rotations affect overtime calculations? A: Compound rotations track hours separately for each assignment. Review each assignment's Work Type to ensure proper FLSA classification and overtime calculation. Consult with your HR department for department-specific overtime policies.

Q: Can I modify a compound rotation after it has started? A: Yes, you can edit compound rotations, but changes may not affect past dates. To modify, click on the assignment in the Shift Board and update the parameters. Be cautious about changing dates or assignments for periods already worked.

Q: What happens if someone has time off during a compound rotation? A: Time-off requests will override compound rotation assignments for those specific dates. The rotation will resume when the individual returns to work. Ensure time-off is approved before the rotation begins when possible.

Q: Do compound rotations work with the mobile app? A: Yes, personnel can view their compound rotation assignments in the First Due mobile app. They will see which assignment they are scheduled for each day.

Q: How far in advance can I schedule compound rotations? A: You can schedule compound rotations as far in advance as needed by setting the appropriate Until Date. However, best practice is to avoid scheduling more than one rotation cycle ahead to maintain flexibility for staffing changes.