Skip to main content

Search

Knowledge Center

EMS Setup - Statistics

Purpose Statement

The Statistics section of EMS Setup allows agencies to enter and maintain annual EMS operational statistics used for NEMSIS reporting.

These statistics provide agency-level information such as service area, population, EMS call volume, patient contacts, transports, and billable call volume. Maintaining this information annually helps ensure that your agency's EMS configuration reflects current operational data.

Background Information

EMS statistics are entered as a separate record for each reporting year. Agencies should review and update these values annually using information from reliable internal and external data sources.

The Statistics section includes the following information:

  • Year
  • Total Service Area
  • Population
  • 911 EMS Call Volume
  • EMS Dispatch Volume
  • Patient Transport Volume
  • Patient Contact Volume
  • Billable Call Volume

For applicable statistic fields, Numeric is selected by default. If a numeric value will not be entered, the field can instead be designated as:

  • Not Applicable
  • Not Recorded
  • Not Reporting

Some values, such as service area and population, may remain consistent from year to year unless the agency's demographics or jurisdiction change. Other values, including call, contact, transport, and billing volumes, should be updated for the applicable reporting year.

Required Permissions

Users must have access to Incident Documentation > EMS Setup and the ability to manage the Statistics section.

The specific permission name required to add, edit, or delete EMS statistics should be verified with your agency's First Due administrator based on your organization's configured roles and permissions.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Access the Statistics Section

  1. Select the First Due logo/module stack in the upper-left corner.
  2. Navigate to Incident Documentation.
  3. Select EMS Setup.



     
  4. From the EMS Setup menu, select Statistics.



     
  5. Review the existing annual statistics records to determine whether the reporting year has already been entered.
     

Add a New Annual Statistics Record

  1. Select Add.



     
  2. In Year, enter the applicable reporting year as a numerical value.
     
  3. Complete Total Service Area.
    • Enter the agency's total service area in square miles.
    • Service area information may be obtained from municipal, census, or GIS data.
    • This value may remain the same from year to year unless the agency's service area or demographics change.
       
  4. Complete the agency's Population.
    • Population information may be obtained from the agency's municipality or census data.
       
  5. Complete 911 EMS Call Volume.
    • This represents EMS-related calls received through 911, including calls that may not ultimately result in a dispatch to your agency.
    • Work with your CAD or dispatch agency to obtain this number when applicable.
    • Because some EMS-related calls do not result in an agency dispatch, this value may be higher than the EMS Dispatch Volume.
       
  6. Complete EMS Dispatch Volume.
    • This represents the actual number of EMS incidents dispatched to the agency.
    • This information can be obtained from the FDR-IR: Incident Count by Type report in the Reports module.
    • Use the incident count associated with the Medical incident type to determine the EMS dispatch volume.
       
  7. Complete Patient Transport Volume.
    • This represents the number of patients transported during the reporting period.
    • This information can be obtained from the FDR-EPCR: Transport Disposition by EMS Unit Call Sign report.
       
  8. Complete Patient Contact Volume.
    • Use the FDR-EPCR: Transport Disposition by EMS Unit Call Sign report to review patient dispositions and determine patient contact volume.
    • This report can help identify transports as well as other dispositions, such as refusals or calls that resulted in no patient contact.
    • Patient contact volume may be lower than EMS dispatch volume because some dispatched incidents are canceled or otherwise do not result in patient contact.
       
  9. Complete Billable Call Volume.
    • Enter the total number of calls determined to be billable for the reporting period.
    • Obtain this information from your agency's billing provider or billing platform.
    • Agencies that do not bill for EMS services can use an appropriate non-numeric reporting option.
       
  10. For any statistic where a numeric value will not be entered, select the appropriate option:
    • Not Applicable – Use when the statistic does not apply to the agency.
    • Not Recorded – Use when the agency does not have the statistic recorded.
    • Not Reporting – Use when the agency is not reporting the statistic.
       
  11. Review all values for accuracy.
     
  12. Select Add to save the annual statistics record.


     

Edit an Existing Statistics Record

  1. Locate the applicable reporting year in the Statistics list.
  2. Select the pencil icon for the record.


     
  3. Update the necessary information.
  4. Save the changes.
     

Delete Statistics Records

  1. Locate the record that needs to be removed.
  2. Select the trash can icon to delete an individual record.


     
  3. If multiple records need to be removed, select the applicable records and use the available bulk delete option.


     

Data Sources for Annual EMS Statistics

Use reliable agency data sources when completing annual statistics.

  • Total Service Area: Municipality, census information, or GIS data
  • Population: Municipality or census data
  • 911 EMS Call Volume: CAD or dispatch agency
  • EMS Dispatch Volume: FDR-IR: Incident Count by Type (report using Medical incidents)
  • Patient Transport Volume: FDR-EPCR: Transport Disposition by EMS Unit Call Sign (transported)
  • Patient Contact Volume: FDR-EPCR: Transport Disposition by EMS Unit Call Sign (all other patient contact types)
  • Billable Call Volume: Agency billing provider or billing platform

Using consistent data sources from year to year can help improve the accuracy of annual reporting.

Best Practices

Do:

  • Create a separate Statistics record for each reporting year.
  • Verify the reporting year before entering annual values.
  • Obtain 911 call volume directly from the CAD or dispatch agency when that information is available.
  • Use First Due reporting data to determine EMS dispatch, patient contact, and transport volumes.
  • Coordinate with the agency's billing provider to determine billable call volume.
  • Review service area and population annually to determine whether agency demographics have changed.
  • Verify all values before saving the annual record.
  • Use Not Applicable, Not Recorded, and Not Reporting consistently when a numeric value is not appropriate.

Don't:

  • Do not assume that 911 EMS Call Volume and EMS Dispatch Volume are the same value.
  • Do not use EMS Dispatch Volume as a substitute for Patient Contact or Patient Transport Volume.
  • Do not estimate values when a reliable agency, dispatch, reporting, or billing source is available.
  • Do not automatically copy demographic information from the previous year without confirming that the agency's service area and population remain accurate.
  • Do not delete annual records unless they are no longer needed or were entered incorrectly.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

What is the difference between 911 EMS Call Volume and EMS Dispatch Volume?

911 EMS Call Volume represents EMS-related calls received through 911. Some of those calls may be resolved or canceled before an agency is dispatched. EMS Dispatch Volume represents incidents that were actually dispatched to the agency. As a result, 911 EMS Call Volume may be higher than EMS Dispatch Volume.

Where can I find my EMS Dispatch Volume?

Use the FDR-IR Incident Count by Type report in the Reports module. Review the incident count for the Medical incident type to determine the EMS Dispatch Volume.

Where can I find Patient Transport Volume and Patient Contact Volume?

Use the Transport Disposition by EMS Unit Call Sign report. The report provides disposition information that can be used to identify patient transports, contacts, refusals, and other applicable outcomes.

Where do I get the 911 EMS Call Volume?

Work with your agency's CAD or dispatch provider. This number represents EMS-related calls received through 911 and can include calls that never result in an agency dispatch.

Where do I get the Billable Call Volume?

Obtain the billable call total from your billing agency or billing platform. The value represents calls determined to be billable after EMS data is processed for billing.

What should I enter if my agency does not bill for EMS services?

Select the appropriate non-numeric option for Billable Call Volume, such as Not Applicable, based on your agency's reporting requirements.

What do Not Applicable, Not Recorded, and Not Reporting mean?

Use Not Applicable when the statistic does not apply to your agency. Use Not Recorded when the information has not been recorded or is unavailable. Use Not Reporting when the agency is not reporting that statistic.

Why is Patient Contact Volume lower than EMS Dispatch Volume?

Not every EMS dispatch results in patient contact. An agency may be canceled before arrival or encounter another situation where no patient contact occurs.

Can I correct a statistic after the annual record has been created?

Yes. Locate the reporting year and select the pencil icon to edit the record.

Can I delete more than one Statistics record at a time?

Yes. Multiple records can be selected and removed using the bulk delete functionality shown in the Statistics section.