Apparatus Checks

The Apparatus Checks web app is an extension of the Apparatus Checks module in Fire Station. You can manage your apparatus, equipment and check forms, and conduct checks with mobile or tablet devices.

Getting Started

Summary

Apparatus Checks for Fire Station+ is a web-based application optimized for tablet and mobile devices. It provides a streamlined interface so you can quickly walk around and complete a check with a portable device and submit the results to Fire Station Desktop after the check is complete.

Requirements

In order to use the app, you must have:

Additionally, you need one of the following permissions on your FSSID:

 

Open the Application

There are three ways to access the Apparatus Checks application:

  1. Go to the application directly
    1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com.
  2. Launch the application from the Department Hub
    1. On a browser, go to https://hub.firestationsoftware.com.
    2. In the top left, click the Department Hub app name to open the app shortcut menu.
    3. Select Apparatus Checks from the menu, or click "All Apps" and select Apparatus Checks from the App Launcher.

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  3. Launch the application from Fire Station Desktop
    1. On your Windows machine, start the Fire Station program
    2. In the left menu, select Fire Station+
    3. Click Apparatus Checks in the list.

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Configure an Apparatus

Before you conduct a check, configure the apparatus details, checklist, and inventory.

 

Conduct a Check

Once you have configured your apparatus, you can run a check. Read the following information on how to use the check screens:

Running an Apparatus Check

Create a New Apparatus

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to make these changes

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Click the "New Apparatus" button.
  3. Fill out the form and click the "Save" button.

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View and Edit an Apparatus

View an Apparatus

You need Apparatus Manager, Apparatus Checks Coordinator, or Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to view an apparatus.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to view.

The apparatus overview displays apparatus details, the most recent apparatus check, and the current inventory list for the apparatus.

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Edit an Apparatus

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to make these changes.

  1. Follow the View Apparatus steps above to select an apparatus.
  2. Click the Edit Apparatus button at the top of the page under the page title, or in the Apparatus Details section, click the gear icon button to open the menu and select Edit.
  3. In the modal form, enter apparatus details and click Save.

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Manage Apparatus Inventory

Watch this video for an overview of how to manage your apparatus inventory in Fire Station and Fire Station+.

Saving Changes

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to make these changes.

You can set up and configure compartments and items stored on an apparatus. Additionally, you can upload photos of compartments and items for reference when conducting an apparatus check.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to view.
  3. In the left menu select Inventory.
  4. Add, update, organize, or delete compartments and items.
  5. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

You must click "Save Inventory" to save your changes before leaving the page. If you do not click this button, your changes will be lost.

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Add Compartments

There are two types of compartments: top-level compartments and sub-compartments. Top-level compartments are listed directly under the apparatus. These compartments show up for assignment when conducting an apparatus check. Sub-compartments go inside other compartments and help you organize complex inventory hierarchies.

Top-Level Compartments

  1. At the top of the Inventory page, click the "Add Compartment" button.
  2. Fill out the form details.
  3. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  4. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.


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The Name field is required, and we recommend that you enter a fully descriptive name. The Nickname field is not required but we recommend you enter an abbreviated or commonly used name.

Sub-Compartments

  1. Follow the steps above to create at least one compartment.
  2. Click the gear button on the right side of a compartment.
  3. Select "Add Sub-Compartment"
  4. Fill out the form details.
  5. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  6. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

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Add Items (Equipment)

  1. Follow the steps above to create at least one compartment.
  2. Click the gear button on the right side of a compartment.
  3. Select "Add Item"
  4. Fill out the form details.
  5. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  6. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

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The Name field is required, and we recommend that you enter a fully descriptive name. The Nickname field is not required but we recommend you enter an abbreviated or commonly used name.

Upload Photos

You can upload photos to compartments or items that have been added.

  1. Click the gear button on the right side of a compartment or item.
  2. Select "Edit".
  3. In the Photos section of the form, click the file input to select a photo, or drag and drop a photo onto the input from your file system.
  4. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  5. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

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Organize Inventory

You can reorder compartments and items, as well as move them in and out of other compartments:

  1. Click and hold on the icon or name of the compartment or item row to begin dragging it.
  2. As you drag the row around, a red line will appear. Release your mouse to drop the row at this location.
  3. When you are done, click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

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You may need to click the arrow icon on the left of the compartment to expand it and view or organize its contents. You cannot move a compartment or item into another compartment while it is collapsed. If you drop the row below the collapsed compartment, it will place the row after the compartment instead of inside.

Delete Inventory

  1. Click the gear button on the right side of a compartment or item.
  2. Select "Remove".
  3. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog to confirm.
  4. Click "Save Inventory" at the top of the page.

If you delete a compartment, anything it contains will be deleted as well.

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Compatibility with Fire Station Desktop

Nicknames

The Name field is used in Fire Station+ and Fire Station Desktop, but the Nickname is only used in Fire Station+ . For example, an item with the name "A.1. Hose" and with the nickname "Hose" will show up as "Hose" in the Fire Station+ but will show up as "A.1. Hose" in Fire Station Desktop.

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Sub-Compartments

Fire Station Desktop does not support sub-compartments. All compartments and sub-compartments appear top-level compartments in the Fire Station Desktop.

For this reason, we recommend you use a naming pattern for sub-compartments that indicates it is contained in another compartment. You can enter the compartment name as the Nickname in Fire Station+ . This makes it possible to indicate sub-compartment hierarchies in Fire Station Desktop while keeping names simple in Fire Station+ .

Example:

This sub-compartment is nicknamed "First-Aid Bag" and is located inside the "Rear Bay" compartment.

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Here is how the compartment appears in Fire Station+ vs Fire Station Desktop:

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Manage an Apparatus Checklist

Saving Changes

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to make these changes.

You can pick the questions that appear on the checklist when conducting an apparatus check. You can also add custom items to the checklist.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to view.
  3. In the left menu select Checklist.
  4. Toggle, add or remove items.
  5. Click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

You must click "Save Items" to save your changes before leaving the page. If you do not click this button, your changes will be lost.

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Select Default Items

There are six preconfigured items for an apparatus checklist. You cannot modify these items, but you can enable or disable them.

To do this:

  1. Check or uncheck the checkbox on the right side of a default item.
  2. Click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

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Add Custom Items

You can add custom items to the checklist:

  1. At the top of the Checklist page, click the "Add Item" button.
  2. Fill out the form details.
  3. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  4. Click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

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Edit Custom Items

  1. Click the gear button on the right side of the item.
  2. Select "Edit".
  3. Update the form details.
  4. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  5. Click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

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Delete Custom Items

  1. Click the gear button on the right side of the item.
  2. Select "Edit".
  3. Update the form details.
  4. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.
  5. Click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

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Organize Custom Items

You can reorder custom items:

  1. Click and hold on the icon or name of the item row to begin dragging it.
  2. Drag the row up and down and release your mouse to move the row to a new location.
  3. When you are done, click "Save Items" at the top of the page.

View Check History

View a Check Report

You need Apparatus Manager, Apparatus Checks Coordinator, or Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to view apparatus check history and reports.

You can pick the questions that appear on the checklist when conducting an apparatus check. You can also add custom items to the checklist.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to view.
  3. In the left menu select Check History.
  4. Click the "View Report" button on the right side of a completed check row.

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Delete a Check

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to delete apparatus checks.

  1. Click the gear button on the right side of a check row.
  2. Select "Delete".
  3. Click "Confirm" at the bottom of the modal dialog.

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Check an Apparatus

Start a Check

You must have Apparatus Checks Coordinator permissions to start a new check.

After you configure your apparatus, you can conduct a check for it.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Click the "New Check" button at the top of the page or on the right side of the box in the Latest Check section.
  4. Pick the date the check is scheduled for.
  5. Click "Start" at the bottom of the modal dialog.

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Resume a Check

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant or Apparatus Checks Coordinator permissions to resume a check.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. If a check has been started, click the "Resume Check" button at the top of the page or on the right side of the box in the Latest Check section.

You can also resume a check by clicking the "Resume Check" button on the in-progress check on the Check History page.

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Understanding the Check Interface

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant or Apparatus Checks Coordinator permissions to conduct a check.

Saving

The system will auto-save any changes when you navigate between screens. You can save manually at any time when the Save button is present on the screen.

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Navigation

An apparatus check is broken out into 3 main steps:

  1. Checklist - answer general questions (i.e. indicate the fuel level)
  2. Inventory - check items stored on the apparatus
  3. Problems - entering problems noted with the apparatus

You can access each step and actions directly from the sidebar menu.

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On devices with small screens, the menu is collapsed and appears on the bottom bar instead. You can expand the menu to reveal all navigation options.

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Manage Assignments

You must have Apparatus Checks Coordinator permissions to make these changes.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Start or resume a check.
  4. Select "Assign" from the navigation menu.
  5. Click the "Add Person" button at the top of the page, and select the person you want to add.
    • To edit an assignment, click the gear button to the right of their name and select "Edit".
  6. Check off any compartments you want to assign to this person.
  7. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog.

You can assign any person from the active personnel list in Fire Station desktop, even if they do not have an FSSID. However, they must have an FSSID to sign in to the Apparatus Checks app and save changes on the check to receive credit for participating.

The person who starts the check, or anyone that enters information on the check, will be added to the check automatically, and the system will indicate that they have participated.

People who have participated in a check cannot have their assignment removed.

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Fill Out the Checklist

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to complete the checklist, and you must have Apparatus Check Coordinator permissions to change the Scheduled Date for a check.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Start or resume a check.
  4. Select "Checklist" from the navigation menu.
  5. Edit the answers to checklist items.
  6. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog.

Each checklist item has an icon to indicate the validation status:

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Check the Inventory

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to check inventory.

Select a Compartment

Inventory is organized by top-level compartments. Each compartment lists assignees and the progress of item checks for that compartment and sub-compartments.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Start or resume a check.
  4. Select "Inventory" from the navigation menu.
  5. Click the "Check" button on the right side of a compartment.

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Click the "All Compartments" button at the top of the page to return to the compartment list. Click the "Previous" or "Next" buttons at the bottom of the page to navigate between compartments.

If you click "Previous" on the first top-level compartment, you will be taken to the Checklist screen, and if you click "Next" on the last top-level compartment, you will be taken to the Problems screen.

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Check an Item

All items are grouped under the top-level compartment and any sub-compartments. To check an item:

  1. Follow the steps in above to select a compartment.
  2. Select the checkbox to the left of the item name to indicate it is complete.
  3. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.

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View Item Pictures

If you see the photo icon, that means that the item has pictures available in the expanded view. Click anywhere in the item's box  (except the checkbox) to expand it and view the pictures.

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Note Item Problems

You can also enter problems specific to that item in the expanded view. Any problems entered for an item will be visible when the item is collapsed. To enter an item problem:

  1. Follow the steps in above to select a compartment.
  2. Click the item to expand it.
  3. Enter the problem details in the text area.
  4. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.

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Report Problems

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to report problems.

View All Reported Problems

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Start or resume a check.
  4. Select "Problems" from the navigation menu.

This screen lists out all problems, including ones entered during inventory checks.

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Report Additional Problems

  1. Follow the instructions above to view all reported problems.
  2. Click the "Report Problem" button at the bottom of the page.
  3. Enter the problem description.
  4. Click "Save" at the bottom of the modal dialog.

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Edit a Problem

  1. Follow the instructions above to view all problems.
  2. Modify the problems description in the text box.
  3. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the page.

Delete a Problem

  1. Follow the instructions above to view all problems.
  2. Click the "Remove" button to the right of the problem description.
  3. Click the "Delete Problem" button at the bottom of the modal dialog to confirm.

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Submit a Check

You must have Apparatus Checks Participant permissions to submit a check.

You can review and submit a check to complete it:

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Select the apparatus you want to check.
  3. Start or resume a check.
  4. Select "Submit" from the navigation menu.
  5. Click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page.

If there are any validation errors, the "Submit" button is grayed out. Once you resolve all validation errors, the button will turn blue and you can submit the check.

You cannot edit a submitted check as the data is saved and copied to Fire Station Desktop.

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Configure Notifications

Apparatus Check Notifications

Apparatus check notifications are sent from Fire Station+ immediately when checks are submitted. The recipients of these emails are configured from the Fire Station Desktop application.


Apparatus Check Completed Notification

The system will send an email titled "Apparatus Check Completed" to anyone who is listed in an Email Group with one of the two settings for Email Apparatus Checks:


Email Groups can be managed in Admin >Manage Settings >Notifications.




Apparatus Check Problem Assigned Notification

The system will send an email titled "Apparatus Check Problem Assigned" to the person who is assigned to the problem. The system determines problem assignment using the following logic:


  1. If the Assign Problems To setting is filled in (Admin > Manage Settings > Apparatus Checks), then problems will always be assigned to this person.


  2. If no one is specified in Assign Problems To, then the system will check to see if the person who submitted the check is in an Apparatus Check Group (Apparatus Checks > Manage Groups). If so, the problems will be assigned to the highest ranking person in the group. If the submitter is in multiple groups, the first one the system finds will be used.



  3. If the person who submitted the check is not in any Apparatus Check Groups, then the highest ranking personnel in Fire Station will be assigned the problems.

  4. If there is an issue determining the problem assignee with steps 1-3, then the default is to assign problems to the first participant in a check that the system can find.

Configure Department Options

Open the Options Form

You need Apparatus Manager permissions to make these changes.

Application options for the entire department are found on the Select Apparatus page.

  1. On a browser, go to https://apparatus-checks.platform.firestationsoftware.com/select-apparatus. You may need to sign in.
  2. Click the "Department Options" button at the top of the page.

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Disable "All Items Checks Required"

You can enable or disable the rule that requires all inventory items to be checked in order to submit a check. When this is enabled you may submit checks without checking off every item. If the Yes/No buttons are enabled, and this option is enabled, you may submit checks without either "Yes" or "No" selected for each item.

  1. Follow the instructions above to open the options form.
  2. Toggle the slider labeled "Disable All Item Checks Required" on or off.
  3. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the modal dialog.

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Skipped item checks appear in the check report PDF report under a separate heading for the compartment.

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Enable Yes/No Buttons

You can enable Yes/No buttons as an alternative to the checkbox for completing an item check.

  1. Follow the instructions above to open the options form.
  2. Toggle the slider labeled "Disable All Item Checks Required" on or off.
  3. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the modal dialog.

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When conducting a check, if you select "No", then the check report PDF will show a red "X" indicator next to the item's name, even if you do not report a problem with that item.

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