Resources

Records Requests

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Customer Advisories

Effective 08/01/2023

  • Fire Incident Reports: Fire Incident Reports are processed by the FOIL Unit. Fire Incident Reports may contain the personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI) of others. These requests are no longer processed by the Public Records Unit.

Effective 01/01/2025

  • Pre-Hospital Care Reports (PCRs) / Patient Records: Mail-in requests are no longer accepted. Requests for these records must be submitted in person or electronically through myPatientEncounters.

Effective 02/18/2025

  • Hours of Operation: The Public Records Unit window is ONLY open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Effective 03/25/2025

  • Fire Incident Reports / Fire Marshal Investigation Reports: Paper request forms are no longer accepted. Requests for these records must be submitted electronically through NYC OpenRecords.
  • Pre-Hospital Care Reports: All in-person requests for these records must be accompanied by a copy of the FDNY EMS ambulance bill.

In-Person Requests

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) provides the public with access to certain agency records in compliance with City, State, and Federal laws. To request records in person, visit us at:

FDNY Public Records Window
9 MetroTech Center (Flatbush Avenue entrance)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (excluding holidays)

Telephone: (718) 999-2681

For requests that require a record reproduction fee, the FDNY accepts payment in the form of money order or check payable to "NYC Fire Department" (no e-checks). CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED. 

Public Records Unit

Contact the Public Records Unit by:

Telephone: (718) 999-2681

Email(s): 

A subset of common FDNY records may be requested using the forms listed below. Please read each form's instructions carefully before submitting your request. 

NOTE: Fire Incident Reports and Fire Marshal Investigation Reports are NOT processed by the Public Records Unit. You must submit a FOIL request through NYC OpenRecords. See “FOIL Requests” section.

Request Forms:

Patient Records

For Patient Records contact:

Telephone: (718) 999-2681

The FDNY only maintains Pre-Hospital Care Reports (PCRs) for patients treated or transported by FDNY EMS. These records were previously known as Ambulance Call Reports. 

Request Form:
For use with in-person requests ONLY. DO NOT mail or email this form to the FDNY or submit this form as a FOIL request.

Certain requests for Pre-Hospital Care Reports must also include a completed HIPAA release form:

For efficiency, tracking, and HIPAA compliance, these records requests ARE NOT accepted by postal mail, nor by email or FOIL.

Pre-Hospital Care Reports (PCRs) can be requested in two (2) ways:

  1. In person at the Public Records Unit window during hours of operation.
    • Records requests over six (6) pages will be charged at 75 cents per page.
    • Most PCRs are one (1) to three (3) pages.
    • A fee will typically apply to third parties (such as record retrieval companies and law firms) requesting more than one patient record.
    • You MUST bring:
      • A completed Pre-Hospital Care Reports form.
      • A copy of your FDNY EMS ambulance bill as proof of treatment or transportation. SEE ALSO: Ambulance Billing Contact Information (PDF)
      • A valid photo ID.
      • A blank check for requests that contain more than six (6) pages. CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED.
  2. Electronically through myPatientEncounters.
    • There is no fee for PCR records requests placed through myPatientEncounters.
    • You MUST submit:
      • A valid photo ID.
      • Any other required supporting documentation.

SEE ALSO: User Guide for myPatientEncounters (PDF)

Examples of Acceptable Photo ID:

  • Driver License
  • Non-Driver ID
  • New York State or City issued ID
  • U.S. Military issued ID
  • Passport

NOTE: The myPatientEncounters portal currently only provides non-certified copies of these records.

Certified Copies of Patient Records

To obtain a certified copy of a Pre-Hospital Care Report you must either:

NOTE: If you reside outside of New York City or have a unique situation which prevents you from coming in person, contact the Public Records Unit at (718) 999-2681 or via email at publicrecordsunit@fdny.nyc.gov. All other certification requests must be done in person.

Third Party Requests for Patient Records

NOTE: These types of records requests require secondary proof of patient authorization. These requests will not be processed without the required supporting documentation.

  1.  If you are requesting that your own record(s) be sent to someone else, you MUST provide:
    1. A valid photo ID.
    2. A signed HIPAA Authorization form, indicating:
      • FDNY as the health provider.
      • The name and address of the individual or entity to whom the record(s) should be sent.
  2. If you are a parent or guardian requesting the record(s) of a minor, you MUST provide:
    1. A valid photo ID.
    2. Proof of guardianship via one (1) of the following documents:
      • Child’s birth certificate.
      • Court document validating custody.
  3. If you are requesting the record(s) of someone else, you MUST provide:
    1. A valid photo ID or proof of employment at the receiving entity.
    2. One of the following:
      • A signed and notarized HIPAA Authorization form, indicating: (a) FDNY as the health provider and (b) the name and address of the individual or entity to whom the record(s) should be sent.
      • A signed and notarized Power of Attorney, along with a signed HIPAA Authorization form, indicating: (a) FDNY as the health provider and (b) the name and address of the individual or entity to whom the record(s) should be sent.
  4. If you are requesting the record(s) of a deceased person, you MUST provide:
    1. A valid photo ID.
    2. A signed HIPAA Authorization form, indicating: (a) FDNY as the health provider and (b) the name and address of the individual or entity to whom the record(s) should be sent.
    3. Letters of Administration. Please visit Administration | NY CourtHelp (nycourts.gov) for further instructions.

FOIL Requests

For FOIL requests contact:

Telephone: (718) 999-0293/0294

All Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to the FDNY MUST be submitted via NYC OpenRecords.

Instructions:

  • Select "Request a Record," and then select "New York City Fire Department (FDNY)" from the agency drop down menu.
  • Inquiries about existing FOIL requests should be sent directly through the NYC OpenRecords portal (under the request, select "Contact the Agency").

NOTE:

  • For efficiency and tracking, FOIL requests ARE NOT accepted by postal mail or email.
  • The records request types listed under the “Public Records Unit” and “Patient Records” sections above are NOT processed through FOIL.
  • Fire Incident Reports and Fire Marshal Investigation Reports must be requested online via NYC OpenRecords.

Fire Incidents Special Report: For a list of all fire incidents associated with a property, complete the Fire Incidents Special Report form, and include it with your NYC OpenRecords request.

  • There is a $10 fee for each year searched.
  • You will be sent a “Cost Letter” via your NYC OpenRecords request.
  • The records will be provided upon receipt of payment.
  • Fire Incidents Special Report (PDF)

FOIL Officers

Records Access Officer
FDNY Bureau of Legal Affairs – FOIL Unit
9 MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Telephone: (718) 999-0293/0294

Records Appeals Officer
FDNY Bureau of Legal Affairs – FOIL Unit
9 MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Telephone: (718) 999-1669

Email: fdnyfoil.appeals@fdny.nyc.gov

Subpoenas for Records and Testimony

Court Desk & Litigation Support Unit (CDLSU)

FDNY Bureau of Legal Affairs
Court Desk & Litigation Support Unit (CDLSU)
9 MetroTech Center, Room 4S-13
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Telephone: (718) 999-2143/2146

Subpoenas complying with all service requirements should be served at:

FDNY Public Records Window
9 MetroTech Center (Flatbush Avenue entrance)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (excluding holidays)

Telephone: (718) 999-2681

The FDNY cannot accept subpoenas that request testimony from separated employees.

Translated Records Request Forms

The records request forms listed on this page have been translated into several other languages: