Inquiry
- Is there more information on the call type descriptions? For example, the difference between ARREST and T-ARST is unclear as they have the same call type description. There are also some call types, such as MOSINJ and BPP, that are not in the data description.
- Is there more information on the severity level codes? For example, what is the difference between a 0 and a 9?
- Is there more information on the incident dispositions? For example, what is the difference between a patient pronounced dead and a patient gone on arrival?
- Is there more information on the dispatch area of the incident? For example, where exactly are M5 and K6? Also what is meant by dispatch area?
Assigned Agencys Response
Question Asked:
- Is there more information on the call type descriptions? For example, the difference between ARREST and T-ARST is unclear as they have the same call type description. There are also some call types, such as MOSINJ and BPP, that are not in the data description.
Call Type Descriptions:
The Call Type field represents the nature of the incident as coded in the FDNY EMS Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
- Codes with the “T-” prefix (e.g., ARREST vs T-ARST) indicate that the call information was electronically transmitted/texted into CAD rather than entered through the standard voice-based 911 intake process.
- The prefix reflects a different dispatch workflow only; the underlying medical complaint and public description remain the same.
- Some call types such as MOSINJ and BPP are internal CAD codes associated with severity level 9 and are typically related to incidents marked “Out of Service.” These records are not part of the public Open Data dataset and therefore are not included in the posted data description file.
Question Asked:
- Is there more information on the severity level codes? For example, what is the difference between a 0 and a 9?
Severity Level Codes:
Severity codes reflect the dispatcher’s triage-based assessment of urgency at the time of call intake.
- Severity levels are generally ranked from 1 (most severe) to 8 (least severe), with 1–3 being life-threatening and 4–8 being non-life-threatening.
Question Asked:
- Is there more information on the incident dispositions? For example, what is the difference between a patient pronounced dead and a patient gone on arrival?
Incident Dispositions:
The Disposition field reflects the final outcome of the EMS response.
- Patient Pronounced Dead: EMS personnel determined that the patient was deceased at the scene according to formal protocol.
- Patient Gone on Arrival: EMS units arrived at the scene, but the patient was not present (e.g., the patient left before EMS arrival or could not be located).
- These outcomes are operationally distinct and represent different response results within standard EMS reporting.
Question Asked:
- Is there more information on the dispatch area of the incident? For example, where exactly are M5 and K6? Also what is meant by dispatch area?
Dispatch Area:
Dispatch Area refers to the internal operational response zone responsible for assigning EMS resources—not a precise patient address. The letter identifies the borough (M = Manhattan, K = Brooklyn/Kings, Q = Queens, X = Bronx, S/R = Staten Island), and the number identifies a specific EMS sector within that borough (e.g., M5 = Manhattan Zone 5; K6 = Brooklyn Zone 6).
Exact geographic boundaries of these zones are not included in the public dataset to protect patient privacy. Detailed maps and boundary definitions are maintained in FDNY EMS internal documentation.
