GlossaryDispatch and call records
Mobile data terminal
A mobile data terminal (MDT) is a computer device used by field personnel to exchange information with dispatch or other agency systems.
A mobile data terminal (MDT) is a computer device used by field personnel to exchange information with dispatch or other agency systems. In public safety, it can let responders read assignments and update their status from a vehicle. The terminal is an access device; it is not the complete dispatch or records system.
What it contributes to a record
Onondaga County Emergency Communications describes field terminals receiving incident assignments and allowing units to record that they are responding, on scene, or clear. Those functions help explain why a dispatch history can contain status updates entered by field personnel rather than spoken over the radio.
The device can also provide access to other information. Cody, Wyoming's MDT project describes remote access to records about people, property, incidents, and cases. These are examples of named agencies' installations, not a universal specification for every terminal.
Example
Hypothetical example: A responder reads an assignment on a vehicle terminal and selects “on scene” after arriving. The dispatch history records that status change at 9:14 a.m.
The entry documents the system's recorded update. Without the agency's timestamp rules, it should not be interpreted as a separately measured, exact moment when the vehicle crossed the property boundary. The device provides a way to enter the information; the record's meaning depends on the underlying system and workflow.
Common confusion
Computer-aided dispatch manages assignments and operational activity. A records management system stores and manages agency records. The MDT can connect a field user to either system without replacing either one.
An automated vehicle-location feed is another distinct function. A terminal status update does not necessarily come from a vehicle-position sensor.
Local differences
Agencies differ in device names, available applications, connection methods, and who enters each status. For a response-time analysis, consult the local field definitions rather than assuming every MDT update is generated automatically.