Local Public FOIA Log Request (Seattle Fire Department)

Dear Raymond Fisman,

Welcome to the City of Seattle Public Records Request Center (PRRC). Your request was received on May 30, 2024 and is appended below.

The reference number for this request is C184177-053024. You will see this number in the title of any communications about this request.

You will hear from a Public Disclosure Officer within five business days regarding the status of your request.

Please visit the City of Seattle Public Records Request Center where you can manage your profile and access your request. Your login ID is: requests@muckrock.com

If a Public Disclosure Officer submitted your public disclosure request into the PRRC on your behalf, please login and complete your new user account by following these steps:

* Access the Public Records Request Center
* Select 'Forgot my Password'
* Enter your 'Login ID' (email address)
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* Login with the temporary password
You may now visit the PRRC 'My Records Request Center' anytime!

Request C184177-053024:
" To whom it may concern,

My name is Raymond Fisman and I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Law (POL Article 6), as it pertains to local public agencies.

As a researcher affiliated with Boston University, I am conducting a study that requires insights into the processing and management of FOIA requests by local city, fire, and park departments. Specifically, I request the following information:
• The total number of FOIA requests received on a quarterly basis.
• A breakdown of these requests by status: approved, rejected, in-progress, or any other relevant status.
• If available, a log file or similar record detailing individual requests and their respective statuses for each quarter.

I require this data for academic research purposes, in association with Duke University and Boston University. The study aims to analyze the trends and efficiency in the processing of FOIA requests by major public institutions. For comprehensiveness, I request that this information be provided for as far back as records are available.

Please inform me of any potential charges before processing this request. If certain parts of this request are exempt from release, please provide the non-exempt portions.

I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your prompt response. According to the Freedom of Information Law, you have 28 business days to respond to this letter. If access to the records I requested is denied, please provide an explanation in writing citing the specific statutory exemption(s).

Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Raymond Fisman

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

--- Please respond above this line ---

Dear Raymond Fisman,
This acknowledges receipt of your public disclosure request C184177-053024 received on May 30, 2024 regarding: To whom it may concern,

My name is Raymond Fisman and I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Law (POL Article 6), as it pertains to local public agencies.

As a researcher affiliated with Boston University, I am conducting a study that requires insights into the processing and management of FOIA requests by local city, fire, and park departments. Specifically, I request the following information:
• The total number of FOIA requests received on a quarterly basis.
• A breakdown of these requests by status: approved, rejected, in-progress, or any other relevant status.
• If available, a log file or similar record detailing individual requests and their respective statuses for each quarter.

I require this data for academic research purposes, in association with Duke University and Boston University. The study aims to analyze the trends and efficiency in the processing of FOIA requests by major public institutions. For comprehensiveness, I request that this information be provided for as far back as records are available.

Please inform me of any potential charges before processing this request. If certain parts of this request are exempt from release, please provide the non-exempt portions.

I appreciate your consideration of this request and look forward to your prompt response. According to the Freedom of Information Law, you have 28 business days to respond to this letter. If access to the records I requested is denied, please provide an explanation in writing citing the specific statutory exemption(s).

Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Raymond Fisman

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, this is notification that the Seattle has received your public disclosure request. At this time, we anticipate that we will be able to provide the requested records or a first installment of records on or about July 5, 2024.
Public Disclosure
Seattle Fire Department

--- Please respond above this line ---

Hello,
I have some IT folks assisting with your request. I will have an update for you on the availability of the dataset on or about July 5th.
Evan
SFD Public Disclosure

--- Please respond above this line ---

Good morning,
The purpose of this message is to provide an update on the status of your request. I have since received the data. However, I now need time to review the dataset since it does contain information that is exempt from disclosure. For example, we receive many requests for medical records and often the requester puts information such as social security numbers or other confidential information, which appears in the request summary.  Since there are over 4600 entries for the Seattle Fire Department alone, it will take me some time to go through each entry to determine if there are any exemptions to disclosure. I will have another update for you on or about July 31, 2024. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for your patience.
Evan Ward
SFD Public Disclosure