Plain Text Please

[mdulrich]

I would like to make a request. Can we use plain text when discussing things heard on a scanner? There is no standard signal or 10 codes used in the US or even in a state.

Here is a recent quote, "Last night there was an Anne Arundel County "all-hands" Signal 13 declared in pursuit of an armed robber that apparently traded shots with an officer." In that part of the country that Signal 13 apparently means something rather special. Here in my city that Signal 13 is a juvenile call.

In my department I go on Signal 10s quite frequently. What does that mean to you? I wonder how many of you think of a structure fire? How many of you could correctly decipher the following. While on a 10-26, they were called to a 10-21. After reporting 10-36 they announced 10-69B, that it was a 10-20 and went 10-37, 10-2. In my county they were eating and were called to a personal injury accident. When they got on location they cancelled all other responding equipment since the accident had no injuries and reported their assignment was complete and were back in sevice.

Lets all take a page out of the incident command books and use plain text for our messages.

Mike

 

[INDY72]

LOL 10-04, umm 10-03, umm OK LOL

 

[mr_hankey]

here in san antonio, police officers appear to be instructed to drop the 10 codes in an emergent situation in favor of a real description...

"7120, in pursuit of a drunk driver who just hit a pedestrian at Probant and 90"

can you imagine the confusion if the officer did this:

"7120, 10-30 with a 10-50, signal-P at Probant and 90!"

curiously, this doesn't seem to stop a local university police department from excessively using 10 codes in their daily comms...quite annoying.

 

[INDY72]

Although originally designed for aural brrevity, the 10-code system has become abused in some situations. And there are a few agencies that seem to think 10-codes are like a spygame... I get to use secret codes lol. But on the other hand, for some agencies that I know of and have worked with, the 10-codes should actually be used lol.

Example: (This is all done in redneckese) Attetion all Dentville Fire fighters, and first responders, need ya to go on duty for a reported car wreck, the lady calling says that it looks like there may be injuries. Its at the corner of Highway 18, and Oak Grove......
It would have not only been far more professional to use the 10-codes, but also been far shorter on breath.
How it should have been done according to the procedures:
Attention all Dentville Volunteers, and First Responders! Please respond to a 10-50 possibly J-2, at Highway 18 and Oak Grove. Time out *****

 

[Eng74]

My deparment uses "clear text" to a point. Now we have the wonderful EMD codes that we get on medical aide calls. Which no one can tell us why they are put out over the air. Heres on for you.. "Eng 74 medical aide, key 4832 B ( this is are map system which is very good)123 e street cross of 18th. Reported difficulty breathing. 3charile alpha echo, at 18:23."
Once you have told me the nature of the call that is all I need the 3... means notheing to us in the field. We do not use the numbers in any of our reports,but it is a system that someone liked so the bought it.

 

[AZScanner]

I would like to make a request. Can we use plain text when discussing things heard on a scanner? There is no standard signal or 10 codes used in the US or even in a state.

10-4 we'll go 10-7 on the 10 codes. I'd hate for some 918 101 to get into a 962 or worse yet a 963 while reading forum posts from her web enabled 10-21 causing her to drive like a 390D and be all 702. I think we're all code-4 with your request here.

1152 hours KOA519. :lol:

Sorry about that - I couldn't resist.

-AZ

 

[N_Jay]

I would like to make a request. Can we use plain text when discussing things heard on a scanner? There is no standard signal or 10 codes used in the US or even in a state.

10-4 we'll go 10-7 on the 10 codes. I'd hate for some 918 101 to get into a 962 or worse yet a 963 while reading forum posts from her web enabled 10-21 causing her to drive like a 390D and be all 702. I think we're all code-4 with your request here.

1152 hours KOA519. :lol:

Sorry about that - I couldn't resist.

-AZ

Seems everyone here is 5150! :twisted:

 

[qoatzecotl]

To a point, we're all 10-96...

 

[N_Jay]

To a point, we're all 10-96...

10-96, 10-97, whatever it takes!

 

[K2KOH]

Now those of us in public safety all know we use those radio codes for brevity...rule of thumb is to keep radio transmissions short and to the point. So it's OK for me to get on the radio and say "Mobile 10 to Operations, be advised 10-62 with a 10-24." It wouldn't be cool for me to walk up to my lieutenant and say "Yeah, I was 10-62 on a 10-24." Better to say I was out of service taking a report on a past assault.
Just my .02 :shock:

 

[INDY72]

LOL And in Charleston, SC, instead of 10 codes,... the 10 is gone! its just 04, 07, 08 etc,... Talk about shortening?! Reminds me of the late 90's when every kid in the USA was shortening every saying known,... ok became k, Charlotte, ent to the name of Char. Anywayyyy.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

A large neighboring PD prohibits thier officers from usings 10-codes, except in the case of death, mentally disturbed person, wanted persons, and the ubiqitous "10-4". Even these can be used in clear text if they want.

PD: "252, traffic stop"
Dispatch: "252"
PD: "Route 10 & Route 1 with XXX-1111. Request license check & wanted check"

Kinda "talky," but there's no question what they're talking about!

Both of my FD's (career and volunteer) have been using clear text for many years. "Engine 2, Medic 114, respond for the vehicle accident with injuries, intersection of Maple & Elm".

 

[IPD845]

Ever since I've worked with law enforcement I end up using 10 code and signals in convesations example "Last night on that 10-48 the driver was sig 3 and also was 10-71 out of lexington county so I 10-67 him". But I have never used it in non work related conversation like "10-3 ive got to go Sig. 44 so I'll be 10-7 so I'll give you a 10-21 back in a minute." Most law enforcement I've know use the 10 codes in work related conversations. I only use the codes when talking to people that would know them. But my department likes us to use the 10 codes and sig due to the fact it might confuse are dispatch just to say it in plain english. Just for refrence to 10 codes and sig.
10-3 stop transmmiting
10-7 out of service
10-21 call ____ by phone
10-67 detained or arrested subject
10-71 Wanted or stolen
Sig 3 License Suspended
Sig 44 Restroom break

 

[scanfan03]

HCSO (Harris County, Texas) very rarely uses ten codes. Neither does HPD. But they do use those dispatch determinates (all the surrounding VFDs and EMSs). Now DPS on the other hand, they use 10-codes for anything and everything, i still don't know what half of there codes mean.

 

[INDY72]

10-97 in many locations means on scene.... LOL but its all 10-92 (MS meaning for that code)!

**And when I posted this, the reason for it dissappeared...anyway!**

 

[scanfan03]

yeah, i read the code wrong, I thought it said 10-17. oh well!

 

[Thunderbolt]

To a point, we're all 10-96...

Here in Michigan that would be a 9200-4. Codes vary so much from state-to-state, that it's hard to keep up. Indiana, however, has agreed on a standardized set of codes for all law enforcement agencies to use around the state. I wish other states would do the same thing.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Although originally designed for aural brrevity, the 10-code system has become abused in some situations. And there are a few agencies that seem to think 10-codes are like a spygame...

Some police agencies here in Michigan used to change their 10-Codes twice a year. A local department followed the same procedure until one of their officers got confused, and responded normal traffic to an injury accident. To make matters even worse, he made the mistake of canceling the ambulance by giving the wrong code over the radio. Thankfully, nobody died from this screw-up, but it did serve to start the demise of radio codes across the county.

 

[Steve2003]

Eceryone, It would also help if you would post all of the codes for the agency that you monitor in the rr database. I have posted them for Douglas County, CO. I have put up unit designators as wells as all of the radio codes that I knoww of.

 

[INDY72]

Steve check listings for MS, I sent in all the info I have currently, and its now on the site. Just a lil step ahead, that way I don't fall too far behind.