Overview
all info are from http://www.fdnewyork.com/ & updated signals are from https://www.nycfire.net/forumsChange Log: 10/4/17Added FDNY Radio TerminologyFixed up layoutChange Log: 26/6/20added 10-42,10-43,10-46,10-29
FDNY
10-01 Call your quarters or other unit (specify)
10-02 Return to quarters
10-03 Call the dispatcher by telephone
10-04 Acknowledgment
10-05 Repeat message
10-06 Stand by
10-07 Verify address/location
10-08 In-service by radio
——– CODE 1: Used only by Division or Battalion to indicate it is in-service by radio when leaving a quarters other than its own at which it had been off the air and to which its alarms had been routed
——- CODE 2: Used by any unit to indicate it is on the air outside its response area. When the unit returns to its response area, the dispatcher must be notified again using 10-8
10-09 Off the air
10-10 Unit location
10-11 Radio test count (one to eleven)
10-12 Preliminary report
10-14 Roster staffed engine company (one officer & four firefighters)
10-18 Return all units except 1 engine AND 1 ladder
10-19 Return all units except 1 engine OR 1 ladder
10-20 Proceed at reduced speed
10-21 Brush fire
10-22 Outside rubbish fire
10-23 Abandoned/derelict vehicle fire (ADV)
10-24 Auto fire
10-25 Manhole or transformer fire or emergency
———- CODE 1 – Fire extended into building
———- CODE 2 – One or multiple covers blown or smoke issuing under pressure
———- CODE 3 – Smoke seeping from cover
———- CODE 4 – Fire or smoke condition from a transformer at any location
———- NO CODE – All others
10-26 Food on stove
10-27 Compactor or incinerator fire (no extension)
10-28 Subway/railroad fire, smoke or emergency (non-medical)
——— CODE 1 – Structural fire
——— CODE 2 – Non-structural fire (train fire, rubbish on tracks, etc)
——— CODE 3 – Emergency (non-medical)
——— CODE 4 – Request for power removal
——— CODE 5 – Confirmed power turned off
——— NO CODE – All others
10-29 Elevator Emergency
———Code 1: Occupied
———Code 2: Unoccupied
10-31 Assist civilian (non-medical) The 10-31 signal shall not be utilized for any incident/emergency involving evaluation of structural stability, any operation involving a rescue or mitigation effort, or any type of hazardous condition.
10-32 Defective oil burner (no extension)
10-33 Odor condition
——— CODE 1 – Caused by nearby working fire, BBQ’s, salamanders, etc.
——— CODE 2 – Any other type odor
10-34 Sprinkler system emergency
——— CODE 1 – Defective sprinkler device or system (valve, pipe, etc)
——— CODE 2 – Unnecessary alarm (non-defective)
——— CODE 3 – Non-fire activated (other heat source)
10-35 Unwarranted alarm system activation
——– CODE 1 – Alarm system testing or servicing
——– CODE 2 – Construction activities
——– CODE 3 – Ordinary household activities (toast, steam, etc)
——– CODE 4 – Other known cause (unauthorized smoking, etc)
——– NO CODE – Caused by defective alarm system
10-36 Vehicle accident or emergency
——— CODE 1 – Requiring washdown
——— CODE 2 – Accident – no injuries or washdown
——— CODE 3 – Accident with injuries
——— CODE 4 – Accident requiring extrication
——— NO CODE – All others
10-37 Medical assignment not associated with fire operations
——— CODE 1 – Victim deceased
——— CODE 2 – Victim not breathing and requires resuscitation or may be suffering from a serious, apparently life threatening injury or illness
——— CODE 3 – Victim is breathing and suffering from a non-serious and apparently not life threatening injury or illness
——— CODE 4 – Medical assignment where the unit is 10-84, has no patient contact and EMS is on scene
——— NO CODE – All others
10-38 Carbon monoxide response
——— CODE 1 – Detector activation: Investigation
——— CODE 2 – Detector activation: Incident – CO readings 1-9 PPM
——— CODE 3 – Detector activation: Emergency – CO readings > 9 PPM
——— CODE 4 – No detector activation during incident or emergency (no detector present or did not activate)
10-39 FD Standing by at interagency incident (suspicious package, etc)
10-40 Utility emergency
——— CODE 1 – Gas Emergency (leak, defective appliance, etc)
——— CODE 2 – Electric Emergency (wires down, sparking fixture, etc)
——— CODE 3 – Water Condition (any type of leak or flooding condition)
——— CODE 4 – Steam Leak (any type of leak)
10-41 Suspicious fire
——— CODE 1 – Occupied structure or vehicle
——— CODE 2 – Unoccupied structure
——— CODE 3 – Unoccupied vehicle
——— CODE 4 – Vacant structure or structure not intended for dwelling (if squatters use Code 1)
10-42 Any Downed Tree Incident or Emergency
(Provide description to dispatcher and if Parks Department or electric utility is required.)
10-43 Any non-fire related rescue; any person(s) rescued/removed from a dangerous situation
(10-43 is a disposition code, not a request for resources and shall not be transmitted in lieu of 10-60, 10-75 or other signals)
10-44 Request for ambulance
10-45 Civilan DOA or serious fire related injury (use mixer off for injured firefighter)
——— CODE 1 – Victim deceased (Black Tag)
——— CODE 2 – Life threatening serious injury (Red/Orange Tag)
——— CODE 3 – Non-life threatening serious injury (Yellow Tag)
——— CODE 4 – Non-serious injury/ambulatory (Green Tag)
——— NO CODE – Stand by for patient condition (Incident Commander will consult with EMS)
10-46 Maritime Fire or Emergency
———Code 1: Any fire in maritime environment (example: vessel, dock, pier)
———Code 2: Emergency in maritime environment
Examples: Vessel in distress, person(s) in the water removed by Marine personnel, hazard to navigation, hazardous materials incident in maritime environment.
10-47 Request police (specify crowd, traffic, security, apprehension)
10-48 Request police forthwith for harassment
10-50 Generic notification
10-51 Suspension of outside activities
10-60 Major emergency (Bldg. collapse, train wreck, non-airport plane crash, etc.)
——— CODE 1 – Enhanced technical rescue resources required
——— CODE 2 – Enhanced technical rescue resources required – Large Scale (2nd alarm matrix assignment)
——– NO CODE – Initial matrix assignment
10-66 Missing, lost, trapped or seriously injured member and additional resources are required (transmission of the next higher alarm plus the matrix assignment)
10-70 Water supply relay required
10-75 Notification of a Fire or Emergency
10-76 Notification of a Fire in a High-Rise Bldg (Commercial or U/G)
10-77 Notification of a Fire in a Hi-Rise OMD [occupied multiple dwelling]
10-80 Haz-Mat incident
——— CODE 1 – Incident that requires resources not carried by regular field units to mitigate a spill or release that requires specialized training, equipment, and/or PPE. (Matrix Assignment – No contamination to responders or civilians)
——– CODE 2 – Incident involves a spill or release with 4 or less contaminated civilians or responders and requires Haz-Mat resources for possible rescue, mitigation and decontamination. (Matrix Assignment)
——– CODE 3 – Mass Decontamination incident where 5 or more civilians or responders are contaminated and additional department resources are needed above the Code 2 level. (Matrix)
——– CODE 4 – Mass Decontamination Response Requiring Mass Decon Task Forces (MDTF) to decontaminate a large number of victims as quickly as possible. (Matrix Assignment)
——– NO CODE – Controlled by on-scene units and requires no additional resources
10-84 First unit to arrive at box (preliminary report within 5 minutes)
10-85 Fire Marshal requests Police assistance
(specify reason and whether Fire Marshal is armed and in plain clothes)
10-86 Flouroprotein Foam Operations (special assignment)
10-87 High Expansion Foam Operations (special assignment)
FDNY EMS
10-01 Call your station/command by landline
10-02 Return to your station/command
10-03 Call dispatcher by landline
10-04 Acknowledge
10-05 Repeat your last message
10-06 Stand by with your message
10-07 Verify address
10-08 Available by Radio (only Supervision)
10-09 (give location) off the air, landline if needed
10-10 Available by beeper
10-11 On _______ Frequency (Boro or CW)
10-12 Condition/progress report (specify particulars)
10-13 MOS Requires Emergency Assistance
10-14 Verification of unit status (specify)
10-15 Request for current unit location
10-19 Cancel all responding units except first due sprvsr.
10-20 Confirmed response at reduced speed
10-62 Out of service (specify location/condition)
10-71 Backlog of Priority One calls (specify area)
10-72 Backlog of Priority Two calls (specify area)
10-75 Working Fire (no injuries)
10-76 Hi-Rise Fire Commercial Building (no injuries)
10-77 Hi-Rise Fire Multiple Dwelling (no injuries)
10-85 Need additional unit(s) (specify forthwith/no emerg.)
10-87 Cancel
10-100 Personal/Meal (specify location)
UNUSUAL SITUATION/Multiple Casualty Incident (MCI) Codes
10-21 One-alarm fire
10-22 Two-alarm fire
10-23 Three-alarm fire
10-24 Four-alarm fire
10-25 Five-alarm fire
10-26 Occupied high-rise bldg. incident (FDNY 10-76 or 10-77)
10-27 Medical facility incident
10-28 Criminal detention facility incident
10-29 Report of explosive (specify scare, suspected or device)
10-30 Explosion
10-31 Rapid transit/Rail incident
10-32 Ground transport incident
10-33 Structural collapse (building, scaffolding, etc.)
10-34 Construction/demolition incident
10-35 Elevator/escalator incident
10-36 Toxic fumes incident
10-37 Tunnel incident (non-rail)
10-38 Marine/harbor incident
10-39 Aircraft emergency standby response
10-40 Aircraft incident/crash
10-41 Bridge/elevated roadway collapse
10-42 Civil disturbance
10-43 Hostage situation/barricaded person(s)
10-44 Power failure/blackout
10-45 Chemical pipeline incident
10-46 Bulk oil storage/liquefied natural gas facility incident
10-47 Nuclear substance spill/incident
10-49 Environmental incident (earthquake, hurricane, etc.)
10-55 Planned Special Event response
10-57 Planned Mutual Aid response (specify)
10-58 Planned MCI/standby response
10-59 All other incidents
10-60 Major Emergency Response
Incl: 4 BLS, 2 ALS, 3 Conditions, 1 HazTac Officer, 2 Div. Capt., 1 Dep. Chief, 1 OMA MD, 1 MERV, 1 MRTU, 1 LSU
10-80 Hazardous Materials Incident
C1: 1 BLS, 1 BLS HazTac, 1 Conditions, 1 HazTac Officer
C2: 2 BLS, 1 ALS, 1 BLS HazTac, 1 ALS HazTac, 2 Conditions, 1 HazTac Officer, 1 Div. Capt., 1 Dep. Chief, 1 OMA MD
C3: 3 BLS, 3 ALS, 3 BLS HazTac, 1 ALS HazTac, 2 Conditions, 1 HazTac Officer, 1 Div. Capt., 1 Dep. Chief, 1 OMA MD, 1 MERV, 1 MRTU, 1 LSU
C4: 6 BLS, 4 ALS, 5 BLS HazTac, 5 ALS HazTac, 5 Conditions, 2 HazTac Officer, 2 Div. Capt., 2 Dep. Chief, 1 OMA MD, 1 MERV, 1 MRTU, 3 LSU
MANDATORY CODES
10-63 Unit responding on assignment
10-81 Unit at hospital (AH)
10-82 Unit leaving scene with patient(s) [A-ALS Transport, B-BLS Transport, M-Morgue Transport]
10-84 Unit arrived at scene of incident
10-88 On Scene
10-89 Unit available at CSL (Unit will be recommended based on the CSL Location)
10-97 Unit available within Battalion area (Unit will be recommended based on the CSL Location)
10-98 Unit available outside Battalion area (Unit will be recommended based on last known location, unless unit updates MDT)
10-99 Unit available at the Battalion (Unit will be recommended based on the location of the Battalion)
DISPOSITION CODES
10-83 Patient pronounced dead (specify removed/not removed)
10-90 Incident unfounded
10-93 Refused medical aid-release signed (specify by whom)
10-94 Patient treated by (specify)
10-94A Patient treated by (specify) and transported by (specify)
10-95 Triaged out at scene, patient not transported
10-96 Patient gone on arrival
FDNY Radio Terminology
BOX ANNOUNCEMENTS
Approximately 60 seconds after a box is transmitted the radio dispatcher announces the box. A typical transmission is formatted thus: borough, source of the alarm, box number, address, what the caller is reporting. The different types of sources are: telephone (Via 911, direct dial, operator assist, TDD, etc.), ERS (street box that allows voice contact), pullbox (mechanical street box sometimes simply called “box”), DR (discretionary response) box (Mechanical street box with a high false alarm rate. The battalion chief may respond at his discretion.), verbal (reported to us by a member of the department), class-3 (alarms from central station monitoring companies), and EMS or EMS-PD (CFR runs that are received by direct computer link).
Addresses in the borough of Queens are mostly numeric and the untrained ear may not be able to decipher the announcement. For example, the address 158-24 81 Street between 158 & 159 Avenues when spoken quickly may sound like just a string of numbers.
WHO IS THIS PERSON “ANNIE ALLEY”?
Since the inception of E911 some years ago this phrase has been sneaking into our lexicon. At first we were saying, “As per the E911 Computer the caller is at…” But that phrase has been shortened to, “The Annie Alley location is…” Annie Alley of course being the phonetic pronunciation of ANI-ALI.
SIGNALS
Some of the old telegraph bell signals are still used on the radio. The most common are, 5-7 (1 engine, 1 ladder response), 65-2 (department message), and 5-5-5-5 (line of duty death).
WHAT DOES THE LETTER K MEAN? K
The use of the letter K is a holdover from the days of telegraph. It was sent at the end of a transmission to indicate that I am finished sending and I await your reply. It is similar to the military use of the word over.
B.I.S.P. ROLLCALL & B.I.
BISP stands for Building Inspection Safety Program and is also called simply Building Inspection (B.I.)
TAXPAYERS
There is no legal description of the term taxpayer as used in this department. It’s meaning is derived from the practice of real estate investors who, while holding parcels of land for speculation, constructed cheap buildings that could house multiple tenants. The rent collected would be used to pay the taxes on the land. This type of building commonly houses multiple commercial tenants. Outside of New York City the closest comparison I’ve seen are buildings called strip malls.
Modern taxpayers are not constructed so cheaply but they do contain some of the inherent dangers of their older counterparts. For example: little or no fire stopping between subdivisions over the ceiling, common cellars or cocklofts that run the length of the building, etc.
BUILDING TYPES
Some building types you may hear are class 1 or class A meaning fireproof, class 3 meaning non-fireproof (NFP), OLT meaning Old Law Tenement (apartment houses built prior to April 1, 1901), and NLT meaning New Law Tenement (apartment houses built between 1901 and 1929). The term tenement is not used to describe buildings built after 1929.
WHO IS THIS PERSON SID AND FROM WHERE DOES HE GET ALL HIS INFORMATION?
“Attention units responding to box 1234, Sids information available upon request.” We’re not talking about a person called Sid. The Critical Information Dispatch System (CIDS) was invented to provide fire fighters with information that might be helpful while operating at a fire scene. While companies are out on building inspection they make note of special conditions that can affect their operation. Typical entries contain the height, dimensions, occupancy, and construction of the building; the location of standpipes; the location of hazardous materials stored within; or any other critical information.
OTHER TERMS
MUD – Multi-unit drill.
ADV – abandoned derelict vehicle fire (10-23)
MUNGO – a fire in a 55-gallon drum used by vagrants to melt insulation from copper wire.
REAR TENEMENT – a building situated behind another that doesn’t front on a street. The only means of egress is through the building in front.
FAST UNIT – a company assigned to an incident that stands by in case a Mayday is transmitted. This policy is the city’s equivalent of the OSHA 2in-2out rule. Usually it is a ladder company, but it can be an engine company if the Supervising Dispatcher feels truck availability will suffer.
FALLBACK – During times of heavy activity we implement Fallback to reduce the amount of apparatus assigned to an incident. This preserves unit availability. There are 3 steps:
——— Step 1
———- Nearest available unit (Engine or Ladder) on electromechanical boxes.
———- Class-3 maximum response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
——— Step 2 = Step 1 AND
———- Class-3 response: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
———- CO Detector: 1 Ladder or nearest available CO meter equipped unit.
———- Water leak: Nearest available Engine or Ladder.
———- SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 BC and SOC units.
——— Step 3 = Step 2 AND
———- Structural Responses: 3 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC (Note: On a verified second source: 3 Engines, 2 Ladders and 1 BC)
———- SOC matrix response that requires a Structural Response: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 BC, nearest available Rescue and Squad and nearest available SOC Support Ladder. (Note: On a verified second source: fill out to normal SOC matrix response)
——— Gas Leaks, odors of gas or similar odors: 1 Engine and 1 Ladder.
——— Manhole Fires: 2 Engines, 1 Ladder and 1 BC.
——— Minimum responses, based on CIDS or Box numbers, are suspended. Responses will be based on information received.
DOUBTFUL? There are 4 terms we use to indicate the control of a fire:
Doubtful will hold – The chief is doubtful the fire can be controlled with units already assigned — more may be needed.
Probably will hold – The chief probably can control the fire with units assigned.
Will hold – Self explanatory but rarely used.
Under control – Self explanatory.