General Question about Database
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 3:12 am
I do a lot of things, but I've never played with database until now. I am a volunteer firefighter and I've been given the responsibility of taking over our outdated (and atrotious) filing and reporting system (paper). I started looking in my open office for a way to do this as well as a few google searches. I've created my table, and I'm attempting to create my forms. Here's what I need. I'm looking for a way to have drop down lists in my forms, that change what other fields are available. We have 6 major types of calls and with each type of call is a requirement for different information.
For example, I have it set up to automatically fill in the run number.
After that, I need to know the type of call, so that i know what information I will need to enter Next. So i would like a drop down list that has the options;
Structure Fire
Wildland Fire
MVA
Medical
Mutual Aid
Other (Weather, Line Down, etc.)
Again, depending on which call i have, dictates the type of information i will need entered into the rest of the form. A structure Fire will not require a drivers license number to be entered, and it will require the time that the fire was reported under control. Just as a medical call will require the UNIT that is transporting the patient, destination hospital, patients complaints and injuries, as well as the times that the ambulance arrived, departed, CPR was started and if we used a Helicopter to transport at anytime.
So is there a way to force each answer from a drop down menu to change the available fields after itself? I know i could just leave everything in, but that would result in a TON of extra fields not being filled in. I'm trying to make this as idiot proof as possible. We are a volunteer department, and I never know who will be filing out reports as we never know who will be available for a call due to obligations with work and families.
If anything, Would it just be easier to create a different form for each of the main call types and link them all to the same database?
For example, I have it set up to automatically fill in the run number.
After that, I need to know the type of call, so that i know what information I will need to enter Next. So i would like a drop down list that has the options;
Structure Fire
Wildland Fire
MVA
Medical
Mutual Aid
Other (Weather, Line Down, etc.)
Again, depending on which call i have, dictates the type of information i will need entered into the rest of the form. A structure Fire will not require a drivers license number to be entered, and it will require the time that the fire was reported under control. Just as a medical call will require the UNIT that is transporting the patient, destination hospital, patients complaints and injuries, as well as the times that the ambulance arrived, departed, CPR was started and if we used a Helicopter to transport at anytime.
So is there a way to force each answer from a drop down menu to change the available fields after itself? I know i could just leave everything in, but that would result in a TON of extra fields not being filled in. I'm trying to make this as idiot proof as possible. We are a volunteer department, and I never know who will be filing out reports as we never know who will be available for a call due to obligations with work and families.
If anything, Would it just be easier to create a different form for each of the main call types and link them all to the same database?