The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) uses National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1710 (please click here to access NFPA Codes and Standards) performance measures for data reporting purposes.
As part of NFPA 1710, FEMS categorizes how emergency calls received by District’s 9-1-1 Center (the Office of Unified Communications or the “OUC”) are grouped and classified for dispatching purposes to align with NFPA Standard 1710 measures and FEMS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). FEMS uses call “Groups” and “Classes” that sort calls into categories. Each category is matched with NFPA Standard 1710 measures and FEMS KPIs.
Group defines the type of call. Call Groups include EMS (G1), Fire (G2) and Other (G3). Calls are grouped by a series of 9-1-1 call taker questions. EMS and Fire calls are grouped using standardized call taking systems operating within the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Other calls are identified by specific criteria and generally not considered emergency in nature.
Class defines the priority of call. Call Classes include “Lower Priority” (C1), “Higher Priority” (C2) and “Highest Priority” (C3). Calls are classified (prioritized) by a series of 9-1-1 call taker questions to establish urgency.
• Lower Priority calls (C1) are “not time sensitive,” meaning delayed response by FEMS emergency vehicles will not impact call outcome. “Lower Priority” calls are considered “non-life threatening.” EMS calls with patient complaints of “headache” or “back pain” are examples of “Lower Priority” (C1) EMS calls. “Lower Priority” EMS calls are also classified as “Basic Life Support” (BLS) calls. Fire calls such as “gas odor outside” is an example of a “Lower Priority” (C1) Fire call.
• Higher Priority calls (C2) are “time sensitive,” meaning delayed response by FEMS emergency vehicles may impact call outcome. “Higher Priority” calls are considered “potentially life threatening.” EMS calls with patient complaints of “chest pain” or certain “traumatic injuries” are examples of “Higher Priority” (C2) EMS calls. “Higher Priority” EMS calls are also classified as “Advanced Life Support” (ALS) calls. Fire calls including “gas leak” and “vehicle fire” are examples of “Higher Priority” (C2) Fire calls. “Higher Priority” Fire calls are also classified as “Fire-Rescue” (FIRE-RESC) calls.
• Highest Priority calls (C3) are “very time sensitive,” meaning delayed response by FEMS emergency vehicles will negatively impact call outcome. “Highest Priority” calls are considered “immediately life threatening.” EMS calls for “cardiac arrest” or “gunshot wound” to the chest are examples of “Highest Priority” (C3) EMS calls. “Highest Priority” EMS calls are also classified as “ALS Life Threatening” (ALS-LT) calls. Fire calls including “smoke inside” and “structure fire” are examples of “Highest Priority” (C3) Fire calls. “Highest Priority” Fire calls are also classified as “Structure Fire” (STRUCT FIRE) calls.