This article explains how to cancel an active call shift or stop a call shift while simultaneously awarding it to a qualified candidate. Stopping a call shift allows supervisors to end the call-out process when a shift no longer needs to be filled or when a suitable candidate has been identified. The stop-and-award function streamlines the process by canceling the call shift and assigning it to the selected person in a single action, ensuring accurate staffing records and minimizing administrative steps.

Background Information

Call shifts are used when departments need to fill open positions on short notice. Once activated, these shifts notify eligible personnel based on ranking or availability. However, situations arise where the call shift needs to be canceled—either because the position is no longer needed, staffing was resolved through another method, or a qualified candidate accepted the shift.

First Due provides two ways to stop a call shift:

• Stop Only: Cancels the call shift without awarding it to anyone. All user statuses are marked as "cancelled," and the shift remains unfilled.
• Stop and Award: Cancels the call shift while simultaneously assigning it to a specific candidate. This is typically used when the candidate selection method is enabled and a qualified person has accepted or been selected for the shift.

Understanding when and how to use these functions helps maintain accurate scheduling records, reduces confusion among personnel, and ensures compliance with departmental staffing procedures and workplace organization agreements.

Required Permissions

• Access Call Shifts: Required to view and manage call shift records
• Initiate Call Shifts: Allows starting call shifts from the shift board or call shift menu

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Stopping a Call Shift Without Awarding

1. Navigate to the Call Shift information page for the active call shift you want to stop.

2. Locate and select the Stop Button at the top of the page.
   

1. Click Stop in the confirmation prompt.
   

1. The call shift status will change to Cancelled.
   

1. All user statuses associated with the call shift will be automatically updated to Cancelled.
   

1. The shift remains unfilled in the schedule.
   

Stopping and Awarding a Call Shift (Candidate Method)

1. Navigate to the Call Shift information page for the active call shift.

2. Verify that you are using the candidate method for call shift selection. (This option must be enabled during call shift creation.)
   

1. Locate and select the Award Button at the top of the page.
   

1. Click Award to confirm.
   

1. The system will:

   • Stop the call shift
   • Award the shift to the selected candidate
   • Update all other user statuses to Cancelled
   • Assign the shift to the awarded individual in the schedule

Best Practices

Do:

• Review candidate qualifications before awarding to ensure they meet minimum requirements for the position
• Document the reason for stopping a call shift if no award is made, especially for reporting or audit purposes
• Verify the correct call shift is selected before clicking Stop or Award
• Communicate with the awarded candidate after assignment to confirm they received notification
• Use Stop and Award whenever possible to reduce administrative steps and improve accuracy

Don't:

• Stop a call shift prematurely if qualified candidates are still responding
• Award a shift to a candidate who doesn't meet certification, training, or apparatus requirements
• Forget to notify personnel when a call shift is cancelled without being awarded
• Use Stop instead of Stop and Award when using the candidate method and a qualified person has been selected

Tips:

• Set clear departmental procedures for when call shifts should be stopped versus awarded
• Train supervisors on the difference between stopping and awarding to avoid scheduling errors
• Monitor call shift response times to determine optimal windows before stopping
• Consider using automated notifications to inform all responders when a call shift is cancelled

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: What happens to personnel who responded to a call shift after it's stopped?

A: All user statuses are automatically updated to "Cancelled" regardless of their previous response. They will see the call shift marked as cancelled in their records.

Q: Can I award a call shift to someone who didn't respond?

A: This depends on your call shift configuration. If using the candidate method, you can typically select from qualified candidates. Check with your administrator about your department's specific rules for manual awards.

Q: What if I accidentally stop a call shift?

A: Stopped call shifts cannot be reactivated. You will need to create a new call shift if the position still needs to be filled. Contact your administrator if you need assistance.

Q: Why don't I see the Award button?

A: The Award button only appears when the candidate method is enabled for the call shift. If you're using automatic ranking methods, the shift may be automatically awarded based on your configuration, or you may need to stop the shift and manually assign personnel through the shift board.

Q: Does stopping a call shift affect ranking or rotations?

A: Stopping a call shift without awarding it typically does not advance rankings or rotations. However, this depends on your department's configuration. Consult your administrator for details about how stopped shifts impact your specific ranking system.

Q: Can I see who was notified before I stopped the call shift?

A: Yes, the call shift information page maintains a record of all personnel who were notified and their response statuses, even after the shift is stopped.