New Haven Department of Fire Services - SOG GENERAL-008: Report Writing

Vocabulary flashcards covering the standards, responsibilities, platforms, and procedures defined in New Haven Fire Department SOG GENERAL-008 (Report Writing).

SOG GENERAL-008

The Standard Operating Guideline of the City of New Haven Department of Fire Services establishing standardized procedures for Report Writing, effective 8/3/2026 (Version 4.0).

First Due

The reporting platform utilized by the New Haven Fire Department to complete Fire Incident Reports (NERIS) and Electronic Patient Care Reports (EPCRs).

NERIS

National Emergency Response Information System; the national reporting system to which New Haven Fire Department Fire Incident Reports are submitted.

EPCR

Electronic Patient Care Report; a documentation record required for every patient encounter and by any member or unit that provides patient care or assessment, submitted to NEMSIS.

NEMSIS

National Emergency Medical Services Information System; the national system to which First Due Electronic Patient Care Reports are submitted.

Unobtainable Information Standard

The requirement that if information cannot be obtained, members must document that it was unknown or unobtainable rather than leaving required fields incomplete.

Overall Incident Report Responsibility

The duty assigned to the first arriving company officer to complete the overall NERIS incident report.

Emergency Unit Driver Report Transfer

The transfer of responsibility for completing the overall incident report to the Emergency Unit Driver when an Emergency Unit cancels the first arriving engine company prior to transmitting an on-scene report.

Officer in Charge (OIC)

The member in command of an incident who is responsible for ensuring that the overall incident report accurately reflects the alarm.

Company Narrative

An individual company documentation detailing unit assignment, actions performed, operational tasks, resources utilized, significant observations, and time-sensitive events without duplicating another unit's entry.

Incident Narrative

A chronological summary completed by the incident commander that details conditions upon arrival, occupancy involved, actions taken, emergency conditions, command decisions, resources requested, incident stabilization, and final disposition.

Patient Refusal Documentation

Mandatory EPCR documentation consisting of assessment findings, decision-making capacity (when applicable), communicated risks/recommendations, supporting patient statements, and required signatures or an explanation for missing signatures.

Yale Center for EMS

The external medical organization that, alongside the New Haven Fire Department, conducts Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) reviews of Electronic Patient Care Reports.

Report Completion Timeframe

The standard mandating that all required Fire Incident Reports and EPCRs must be completed prior to the end of the shift in which the alarm occurred.

Battalion Chief Reporting Responsibilities

The supervisory responsibility to monitor report completion and address incomplete, deficient, or outstanding documentation before the conclusion of each shift.