Author: Jeff Feiertag

Starting a New IPPA Document without the Default Read-Only Limitation

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

Several officers have found that the IPPA documents found on Quicklinks are saved as read-only and then they have difficulty using (and editing) the documents. Here is your workaround:

  • Go to Quicklinks, expand the Human Resources Division menu and click the IPPA Forms and Documents link (or just click it here).
  • Find the rank-level evaluation you need on the right side of the page.
  • Click the link to download the file (likely saved to your Downloads folder). Alternatively, you may right-click the link and select (Save As…) to save the file in a specific place of your choice.
  • Go to the location of the saved document and double-click to open the document. Note the pop-up:
    Read Only Pop-Up
  • Click the No button to indicate you don’t want the document to be read-only.

Note: Some versions of Word will also prompt you with an Edit Document button near the top of the screen in the View tab. If you see that, click it.

Finding Your Way Around the New Quicklinks Navigation

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

Wondering where things are in the new Quicklinks menu structure? This TechTip is a guide for you.

Search Bar: Unfortunately, this search bar is not limited to Quicklinks. If you are going to run a search to find what you need, precede whatever keyword with Quicklinks (e.g., Quicklinks Safety) in order to narrow your search to the Quicklinks site.

Top Row Links: These are a handful of the most commonly accessed links so you won’t need the expandable menus at all to access email, MCtime, etc.

Expandable Menus: The 10 menus provide links in an organized manner.

The left side includes:

  • Fire Chief: FCGOs, IBs, Policies and Procedures, etc.
  • Most Common Quicklinks: While some of these items are also on the top row links, the list is slightly longer here. Find the most accessed links conveniently in this one place.
  • Current Top-Priority Projects: What’s most important at the moment? What training is required for all personnel at the moment (e.g., Annual Recerts)? Find the links here. The list will change as department needs change.
  • Department Websites: Can’t remember the address for the main public website? How about the public information (SION) website? Webstaff? Tech Training? Find those and more here.
  • Videos and Department Misc.: Looking for the latest fire chief’s video?

The right side includes:

  • Operations Division: From management tools (DOC Log, Apparatus Tracker, etc.) to links for the Operations sections, Roster/Transfer Info (Battalion Roster, station vacancy page, etc.) and the station commanders’ reference guide, your Operations links needs are generally met here.
  • Volunteer & Community Services Division: The DOVS QL homepage is here, a wealth of information and links for volunteers. As the division contains Community Outreach, public education links are now here.
  • Human Resources Division: If it pertains to HR-related information you typically found in the Forms and Documents page in the past, it may be here. Examples include the AWOL report, IPPA forms and documents, PRL/FMLA submission forms, etc. Other sections of the division include FROMS, Recruiting, Safety and the Training Academy. (There are over a dozen links for commonly access information and websites, such as OTSR registration, driver training, COPDI, etc.)
  • Support Services Division: Need to find basic information on the Logistics section? How about the Tech Training Blog for an archive of TechTips? Here is where you need to be.
  • Fiscal Management Division: Find the expense voucher, mileage reimbursement form and more. If it pertains to money, this is a good place to start.
Quicklinks Menus

Quicklinks Menus

Quicklinks Phone Menus

Quicklinks Phone Menus

Hiding and Showing the Left Pane in FireApp on the MDC

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

With the implementation of FireApp on MDCs, there is one minor change to the look and feel of the program (and it only shows up on the MDC version).

When you launch FireApp on the MDC, note the left pane:

FireApp Logon Screen MDC

 

The left-pointing double arrow, located above the Exit button in the left-side panel, will enable you to minimize the left pane and give you more room to work in FireApp (so you don’t have to scroll to the right side of the screen).

To see the full buttons again in the left pane and restore the full panel, just click the right-pointing double arrow.

FireApp Arrow Right

 

Until you get used to knowing which buttons are Validate and Lock without seeing the full buttons, you may want to use the new arrows.

 

Changing Outlook 365’s Reply Default Setting

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

With the recent (Fall 2015) changes to Outlook 365, the Reply button defaults to Reply to All, frustrating many and generally promoting bad netiquette. Here’s how to change the default:

  • Log into Outlook 365.
  • Note the default reply option on your O365 toolbar.

    Reply Drop Down Arrow
    (Note, if you wanted to keep things as they are but just choose alternatives based on the e-mail message, simply click the drop-down arrow).

  • Find and click the Settings icon in the upper right-hand corner.

    Settings Cog 

  • Select Options.
  • Choose Reply Settings.
  • Change the default setting from Reply All to Reply instead and save.

    Reply Setting

Recording Patient Hand-Over Times Accurately

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

PT handover times are increasingly more important and every minute counts!

The hand-over time for you to record in eMEDS refers to when the patient goes into the bed from the cot (not when you complete your report and not when you restock the unit).

Please try to record the time as close to the real time as you can.

 

Note from the EMS leadership: 

In reality, we know that you could get a room, put the patient in a bed and then sit there waiting for a nurse to take report and care of the patient for a long time.  A strict reading of Emtala would suggest that the hospital accepts the patient when the charge nurse takes a brief report and assigns a bed. However, when looking for a benchmark that we (MCFRS) and the hospitals could agree upon, the act of physically putting the patient on the bed seemed to be easiest and less prone to misinterpretation.

Entering 12-Lead and Cardiac Rhythm in eMEDS without Error

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

If you are entering a 12-lead in eMEDS, you want to make sure you do everything you need to do. Often, people only do half the work.

People typically remember to enter the 12-lead but that is not enough. You also need to record the cardiac rhythm with the vital signs.

Note: Please record the rhythm through the vital signs instead of simply adding it to the narrative. People who run reports can include data fields in their tabulations but the same cannot be said for data coming from the narratives.