F.D.N.Y. Radio Codes


F.D.N.Y. Radio Codes


The changes made were:

10-38 no longer means steam leak. Changed to carbon monoxide codes.
10-39 was deleted
2 sub codes added under 10-40; code 3 (water leak) and code 4 (steam leak)
10-75: changed from rescue OR squad to Rescue AND squad.
10-76: added 5th truck (as the FAST truck), a squad, and a tac unit.
10-70: terminology changed.
Updated by Frank Raffa's (web site) Supervising Dispatcher FDNY July 17, 1998


        10-1      CALL YOUR QUARTERS OR OTHER UNIT

        10-2      RETURN TO QUARTERS

        10-3      CALL DISPATCHER BY TELEPHONE

        10-4      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

        10-5      REPEAT MESSAGE

        10-6      STAND BY

        10-7      VERIFY ADDRESS/LOCATION

        10-8      IN-SERVICE BY RADIO
                  This signal is also used when the AT/SP is not in service
                  and a unit is leaving quarters.

                  CODE 1    Used only by a 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 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.


        10-9      OFF THE AIR
                  A unit will be out of radio contact.  (State the reason:
                  entering tunnel; visiting quarters; at a fire or
                  emergency, etc.) A 10-8 is to be transmitted, with code
                  if necessary, when contact is re-established.

        10-10     UNIT LOCATION
                  A request is made for a unit's location.  The unit is to
                  acknowledge by giving its present location.

        10-11     RADIO TEST COUNT

        10-12     PRELIMINARY REPORT
                  A request by a chief officer or dispatcher for a
                  preliminary report by the first arriving unit.  The
                  dispatcher shall relay the report to the responding
                  units.

        10-13     FIRE MARSHALL NEEDS ASSISTANCE 
                  Urgent Assist by NYPD.

        10-14     ROSTER STAFFED ENGINE COMPANY
                  Use by roster staffed Engine Companies when acknowledging
                  a structural response.

        10-18     RETURN ALL UNITS, EXCEPT 1 ENGINE AND 1 LADDER
                  Transmitted for a fire or emergency, when in the judgment
                  of the officer in command, conditions indicate that 1
                  Engine and 1 Ladder company are required.  No further
                  assistance is necessary.  If the required unit(s) has not
                  arrived, they will be notified by the dispatcher to
                  continue responding to the location.  Other responding
                  units shall return to quarters or previous activity.  The
                  Battalion Chief need not continue to the scene after a
                  10-18 has been transmitted unless he deems it necessary. 
                  This decision must be based, in part, on the experience
                  level of the officer transmitting the signal.  Battalion
                  Chiefs are to notify the dispatcher that they are 10-8
                  when not continuing in on a 10-18.

        10-19     RETURN ALL UNITS, EXCEPT FOR 1 ENGINE OR LADDER
                  Transmitted for a fire or emergency, when in the judgment
                  of the officer is command, conditions indicate that 1
                  Engine or 1 Ladder Company is required.  No further
                  assistance is necessary.  If the required unit(s) has not
                  arrived they will be notified by the dispatcher to
                  continue responding to the location.  Other responding
                  units shall return to quarters or other activity.  The
                  Battalion Chief need not continue to the scene after a
                  10-19 has been transmitted unless he deems in necessary. 
                  This decision must be based, in part, on the experience
                  level of the officer transmitting the signal.  Battalion
                  Chiefs are to notify the dispatcher that they are 10-8
                  when not continuing in on a 10-19.

        10-20     PROCEED AT REDUCED SPEED
                  No warning devices are to be used and all traffic
                  regulations are to be observed.

        10-21     BRUSH FIRE

        10-22     OUTSIDE RUBBISH FIRE

        10-23     ABANDON/DERELICT VEHICLE FIRE (ADV)
                  A fire in a vehicle which has no value other than salvage
                  and no owner can be located.

        10-24     AUTO FIRE
                  A fire in a vehicle with plates or in any vehicle having
                  a value greater than that of salvage.

        10-25     MANHOLE or TRANSFORMER VAULT FIRE

                  CODE 1    Fire has extended from the manhole or conduit
                            into a building.

                  CODE 2    Fire has blown one or more manhole covers, or
                            smoke is issuing from a manhole under
                            pressure.

                  CODE 3    Smoke is seeping from a manhole.


        10-26     FOOD ON STOVE

        10-27     COMPACTOR FIRE
                  Fire has not extended from compactor or shaft.

        10-28     SUBWAY OR RAILROAD SYSTEM - FIRE, EMERGENCY OR SMOKE
                  CONDITION (CODE REQUIRED)

                  CODE 1    NYCTA.

                  CODE 2    Other than NYCTA.


        10-31     CLOGGED INCINERATOR
                  Fire has not extended from shaft.

        10-32     DEFECTIVE OIL BURNER
                  Fire has not extended from fire box.

        10-33     ODOR OF SMOKE
                  A smoke condition caused by a nearby working fire or
                  fires such as barbecues, salamanders, etc.

        10-34     SPRINKLER SYSTEM EMERGENCY
                  
                  CODE 1    Defective sprinkler device or system
                            (defective alarm valve, broken pipe, etc.)

                  CODE 2    Unwarranted sprinkler alarm.  Not defective
                            (surge in pressure, people working on system,
                            etc.)

                  CODE 3    Sprinkler has been activated by heat source
                            not associated with an accidental fire.


        10-35     ALARM SYSTEM EMERGENCY
                  Other than a sprinkler system.

                  CODE 1    Defective alarm device or system.

                  CODE 2    Unwarranted alarm.  Not defective
                            (accidentally activated by cigarette smoke;
                            low battery, etc.)

                  CODE 3    Recorded alarm.


        10-36     AUTOMOBILE EMERGENCY
                  Any type of automobile accident or washdown of a fuel
                  spill.


                  CODE 1    Washdown

                  CODE 2    No injury or washdown

                  CODE 3    Injury

                  CODE 4    Extrication


        10-37     ASSIST CIVILIAN
                  First Aid or other call for assistance.

                  CODE 1    Victim deceased

                  CODE 2    Victim not breathing

                  CODE 3    Victim injured


        10-38     CARBON MONOXIDE RESPONSE

                  CODE 1    DETECTOR ACTIVATION - Defective, low battery,
                            unwarranted.
                  CODE 2    CO INCIDENT - Readings from 1 - 9 PPM.

                  CODE 3    CO EMERGENCY - Readings over 9 PPM.

                  CODE 4    No detector activation during incident or
                            emergency.


        10-40     GAS OR ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY

                  CODE 1    Gas Emergency.  (Gas main leak; gas leak in
                            structure; defective gas appliance; etc.)

                  CODE 2    Electrical emergency.  (Wires down; sparking
                            fixture; short circuit; etc.)

                  CODE 3    Water condition.

                  CODE 4    Steam leak.

                  NOTE:     Do not use 10-40 where the emergency causes a
                            structural fire.


        10-41     SUSPICIOUS FIRE (CODE REQUIRED)
                  Fire Marshall investigation is required.

                  CODE 1    Occupied Structure or Vehicle.  A Structure
                            (commercial, residential, public), or vehicle
                            (car, bus or train) which is occupied at the
                            time of the fire.  This also includes a vacant
                            apartment in an occupied building, or a store
                            with a dwelling above.

                  CODE 2    Unoccupied Structure.  A structure
                            (commercial, residential, public) normally
                            occupied which is unoccupied at the time of
                            the fire.

                  CODE 3    Unoccupied Vehicle.  A vehicle (car, bus or
                            train) with or without plates which is
                            unoccupied a the time of the fire.

                  CODE 4    Vacant Structure.  A vacant building or
                            building under construction or demolition. 
                            (If there are squatters or workmen in
                            structure, transmit a CODE 1.)


        10-44     PUBLIC AMBULANCE
                  A request for a public ambulance.  Specify the reason.

        10-45     D.O.A. OR SERIOUS INJURY
                  Transmitted IMMEDIATELY upon the discovery of a fatality
                  or serious injury at a fire or emergency.  This shall be
                  followed as soon as possible with the appropriate Code
                  and the number of victims.

                  CODE 1    Victim Deceased

                  CODE 2    Victim suffering serious injury.  (Apparently
                            life threatening)

                  CODE 3    Victim suffering serious injury.  (Apparently
                            NOT life threatening.)

                  NOTE:     Do not transmit this signal for minor
                            injuries.


        10-47     POLICE RESPONSE
                  Police assistance is needed for crowd or traffic control,
                  security, apprehension, etc. (specify reason)

        10-48     POLICE RESPONSE FOR HARASSMENT
                  Firefighters are being harassed an police assistance is
                  needed immediately.

        10-51     CANCELLATION OF OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
                  Transmitted when outside activities are to be canceled. 
                  When the conditions that caused suspension of outside
                  activities, the following message will be transmitted by
                  radio, voice alarm and teleprinter: "All units shall
                  resume outside activity forthwith."

        10-60     MAJOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
                  Transmitted for a collapse, airplane crash (except
                  airport crash boxes 0037-LaGuardia Airport, and 0269-
                  Kennedy Airport) train derailment, or similar emergency
                  with the potential for multiple casualties.  The
                  following will respond. 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 3 Rescue
                  Companies (including Res3cuE with the Collapse Unit) 5
                  Battalion Chiefs, 1 Tactical Service Unit, HazMat, Field
                  Communications Unit, Squad Company 1 with Technical
                  Response Vehicle, 1 Deputy Chief, 1 Safety Battalion.

        10-70     WATER RELAY REQUIRED
                  A notification that the first arriving engine has no
                  positive water source and a water relay is required.


        10-75     NOTIFICATION OF A FIRE OR EMERGENCY
                  A notification signal transmitted when, in the judgment
                  of the officer in command, conditions indicate a fire or
                  emergency that requires a total response of the following
                  units:  4 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1
                  Rescue Company and Squad Company.  Officers transmitting
                  a 10-75 shall also state if it is for a fire or emergency
                  and if a building is involved along with the type of
                  building.

        10-76     NOTIFICATION OF A FIRE IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING
                  A notification signal transmitted when, in the judgment
                  of the officer in command, conditions indicate a fire in
                  a high-rise building that requires a total response of
                  the following units: 5 engines (1 is CFR), 5 Ladders (1 is fast), 3 Battalion
                  Chiefs,Engine 3 and High Rise Unit, 1 Deputy Chief,
                  Field Communications Unit, 1 Rescue Company, Mask Service
                  Unit, PIO, Command Post Company, 1 Squad company, 1 Tac
                  unit. (restricted use of Citywide frequency, for operation
                  of the High-Rise repeater.)

        10-77     HIGH-RISE MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE
        
                  High-rise multiple dwelling fire (Response of 5 engines,
                  5 ladders, 3 battalion chiefs, 1 deputy, 1 rescue,
                  1 squad, the Special Operations battalion chief, a safety coordinator,
                  transmitted by the Incident Commander after size up and
                  and the Safety Operating battalion  chief.)      
                               


        10-80     HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT
                  The Initial notification by field units of a hazardous
                  materials incident.  Responders are to proceed with
                  caution to avoid entering a restricted area.  Code will
                  transmitted by the Incident Commander after size up and
                  evaluations of the incident.

                  CODE 1    An incident confined to a small area and which
                            does not pose an immediate threat to life or
                            property.  Can be controlled by a unit or
                            units up to and including: 3 Engines, 2
                            Ladders, and 2 Battalion Chiefs.

                  CODE 2    An incident involving a greater hazard or
                            larger area which posses a potential threat to
                            life or property.  Following units will
                            respond:  3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Battalion
                            Chiefs, 1 Deputy Chief, HazMat Company 1, 1
                            Safety Battalion and Field Communications
                            Unit.


        10-84     UNITS ARRIVED AT SCENE
                  All units shall IMMEDIATELY transmit a 10-84 by Radio or
                  MDT when arriving at the box of the incident.  Other
                  signals should not be given with the 10-84 except where
                  the situation is apparent on arrival.  This signal must
                  be followed within 5 minutes by a preliminary report
                  including the appropriate radio code signal or additional
                  information by first arriving unit.  Fire commanders and
                  Chiefs within their command are to take necessary steps
                  to insure that units are transmitting the 10-84 signal
                  for responses.  Chief officers shall transmit a 10-84
                  upon their arrival at an alarm.

        10-85     FIRE MARSHALL REQUIRES ADDITIONAL UNITS
                  Used for additional units (other than NYPD - See 10-13)

        10-86     FOAM OPERATION
                  Transmitted for a fire or emergency requiring any type of
                  foam concentrate in addition to that carried by units on
                  the scene.  The following are to respond:  2 Foam
                  Carriers, 1 Satellite Hose Wagon, 1 Foam Coordinator
                  (Batt.Chief).

                  CODE 1    Maximum amount of Flouroprotein foam required. 
                            In addition to units on the 10-86 the
                            remainder of the Foam Carriers and all Bulk
                            Foam Units will respond.

                  CODE 2    Flouroprotein foam required.  In addition to
                            units on 10-86 the remainder of the Foam
                            Carriers will respond.

                  CODE 3    High Expansion Foam required.  The High
                            Expansion Foam Unit will respond.  Units on
                            10-86 will also respond.

                  NOTE:     On all Special Calls for foam (Foam carrier or
                            High Expansion Foam) the associated Engine
                            Company will respond with both pieces of
                            apparatus and all members.


        10-91     EMERGENCY; FD NOT REQUIRED.

        10-92     MALICIOUS FALSE ALARM
                  Indicates that a false alarm was transmitted with
                  malicious intent.

        10-99     UNITS WILL BE OPERATING FOR A LEAST 30 MINUTES
                  An operating unit or all units at an incident will be
                  unavailable for at least 30 minutes.  The unit(s) is to
                  state the reason it will not be available.

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