In order to standardize our local open 911 data first, we need to understand it clearly. Only then can we apply standard codes to the local data. There are three steps to the data standardization work, and they go in this order:
- Data Dictionary Activity: Open 911 data is highly variable and requires careful scrutiny. The team will spend a week or two creating a data dictionary that provides specific definitions of the columns and fields in all local 911 datasets.
- City Metadata Research: The open 911 data is much more valuable when we know more about the communities it represents. Reimagine 911 will provide a set of questions to answer such as how many 911 call centers does the data represent, or what is the approximate population in this jurisdiction.
- Call Type Standardization: Once the previous steps have been completed, your 911 data will be well understood and ready to be ingested and standardized. We have built a software interface that will help the team to match local 911 call types with standard industry codes. This step will allow your city’s 911 activity to be compared against standardized data from other jurisdictions.
Our Priority Cities: The cities that are currently prioritized are listed below. We will make an effort to try to assemble teams from these cities (or the same region or state) to perform the data standardization work for these areas.
The criteria for selecting these cities are quite variable and aren’t fully reflected here. Some aspects include:
- Availability of a local CfA brigade
- Quality and availability of 911 data
- Cities that have/haven’t been reviewed by other similar 911 projects
- Cities with robust alternative-911 programs
- Open data that is similar to other prioritized cities
Reimagine 911 Off The Shelf project for Brigades:
We have designed activities for Brigades to implement if they are looking for a project to get started on right away.
The Reimagine 911 Off the Shelf project is:
- Time Limited: approx. 4 weeks for a team of 2-5 volunteers.
- Locally Focused: Volunteers will be learning a lot about their city and its 911 system.
- Quickly Implemented: Activities are planned out for you, and can be started after a short training session.
If your Brigade is located in one of the cities listed in the chart below, and are interested in learning more, please check out the following pages for the Off the Shelf project activities.
Data Dictionary Activity
Call Type Standardization Activity
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