10 Codes

Question 1

10-1

Answer 1

Call your quarters or Other unit

A unit is to call its quarters or other unit by telephone.

Question 2

10-2

Answer 2

Return to quarters

A unit is to return to quarters

Question 3

10-3

Answer 3

Call Dispatcher by telephone

A unit is to telephone the dispatcher

Question 4

10-4

Answer 4

Acknowledgement

The message has been received, understood and will be complied with.

Question 5

10-5

Answer 5

Repeat message

The message was not understood and should be repeated.

Question 6

10-6

Answer 6

Stand-by

A short pause in transmission will follow

Question 7

10-7

Answer 7

Verify Address/Location

The verification of an address or location is requestd. Verification request shall be specific in nature. eg: “10-7 box 9999, address does not exist.”

Question 8

10-8

Answer 8

In Service by Radio

A unit leaving the scene of an incident where it operated or stood fast is on the air and available. This signal is also used when the AT/SP or PC/ATS is not in service and a unit is leaving quarters. This signal is not used when a unit is leaving quarters for non-emergency response.

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 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.

Question 9

10-9

Answer 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 radio contact is re-established.

Question 10

10-10

Answer 10

Unit Location

A request is made for a units location. The unit is to acknowledge by giving it’s presen location.

Question 11

10-11

Answer 11

Radio Test count

A unit is to count from 1 to 11 for test purposes.

Question 12

10-12

Answer 12

Preliiminary report.

A request by a Chief officer or a dispatcher for a preliminary report by the first arriving unit. The dispatcher shall realy the report to the responding units.

Question 13

10-14

Answer 13

Roster staffed Engine company

When an engine staffed with an officer and 4 firefighters is assigned to a structural response, the firefighter on housewatch, if unit is in quarters, shall acknowledge receipt of the alarm via the 10-14 button on the AT/SP or PC/ATS.

Question 14

10-18

Answer 14

Return all units except 1 Engine AND 1 Ladder

Transmitted for a fire or emergency, when in the judgment of the Incident
Commander, conditions indicate that 1 Engine AND 1 Ladder Company are
required. No further assistance is necessary.
If the required unit(s) has not arrived, the dispatcher shall be notified to have the
required unit(s) 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 deemed 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.

Question 15

10-19

Answer 15

Return all units except 1 Engine OR 1 Ladder

Transmitted for a fire or emergency, when in the judgment of the Incident
Commander, conditions indicate that 1 Engine OR 1 Ladder Company is required.
No further assistance is necessary.
If the required unit has not arrived, the dispatcher shall be notified to have that unit
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 10-19 has been
transmitted unless deemed 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.

Question 16

10-20

Answer 16

Proceed at reduced speed.

Responding units are to proceed at reduced speed. No warning devices are to be used and all traffic regulations are to be observed.

Question 17

10-21

Answer 17

Brush fire

A fire in grass, brush, etc.

Question 18

10-22

Answer 18

Outside Rubbish fire

A fire in outside rubbish that has not extended to a building.

Question 19

10-23

Answer 19

Abandoned/Derelict Vehicle fire

A fire in a vehicle that has no value other than salvage and no owner can be
located.

Question 20

10-24

Answer 20

Auto fire

A fire in a vehicle with plates or in any vehicle having a value greater than that of
salvage.

Question 21

10-25

Answer 21

Manhole or Transformer Fire or Emergency

any type of manhole or transformer fire or emergency

Without Code: Situation other than as described in Codes 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Code 1: Fire has extended from a manhole, conduit, or transformer 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.
Code 4: Fire or smoke condition from a transformer at any location.
i.e., pole, vault, room, etc.
Note: Utility Company will dispatch an emergency crew immediately
upon receipt of a Code 1 or Code 4 signal.

Question 22

10-26

Answer 22

Food on the stove

Food on the stove or other form of cooking carelessness.

Question 23

10-27

Answer 23

Compactor or Incinerator Fire

Fire has not extended from compactor or shaft.

Question 24

10-28

Answer 24

Subway or Railroad System - Fire, Emergency (non-medical) or Smoke Condition

Code 1: Structural fire
Code 2: Non-Structural fire (e.g. train fire, rubbish on the tracks, etc.)
Code 3: Emergency (non-medical)

Question 25

10-31

Answer 25

Assist Civilian

All calls for assistance other than medical assignments, including a unit assigned to
protect EMS by diverting or blocking traffic at a highway incident, good intention
calls, calls handled by other agencies, any type of investigation, searches and
complaints, elevator emergencies, and lock-outs. Chapter 4 Section 1.3 of the New
York Fire Incident Reporting System (NYFIRS) lists incidents and situations codes.

Question 26

10-32

Answer 26

Defective Oil Burner

Fire has not extended from the firebox.

Question 27

10-33

Answer 27

Odor Condition
Code 1: Odor of smoke. A smoke condition caused by a nearby working fire
or fires such as barbecues, salamanders, etc.

Code 2: Any other type of odor.

Question 28

10-34

Answer 28

Sprinkler System Emergency
Any type of 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 the system, etc.)
Code 3: Sprinkler has been activated by heat source not associated with an
accidental fire

Question 29

10-35

Answer 29

Unwarranted or Unnecessary Alarm System Activation

Any alarm system activation that is unwarranted or unnecessary, excluding a
sprinkler system alarm (use 10-34 Code 1, 2 or 3) or an alarm system activation
resulting from a utility power fluctuation (use 10-40 Code 2).

No Code – Unwarranted alarm.
Alarm system activation caused by the defective condition of alarm device,
equipment or system. (e.g., low battery condition, alarm activations without a
known cause or when no condition is found warranting an emergency response).

Codes 1-4 - Unnecessary alarm.
Alarm device, equipment or system operating properly but unnecessarily
activated by lack of due care. DO NOT use this code when there is a fire or other
condition warranting an emergency response.
Code 1: Unnecessary alarm caused by alarm system testing or servicing.
Code 2: Unnecessary alarm caused by construction activities.
Code 3: Unnecessary alarm caused by ordinary household activities
(toast, steam, aerosol spray).
Code 4: Unnecessary alarm caused by other known cause.
(e.g., alarms resulting from cigarette smoking in unauthorized
areas). When this code is used, a NYFIRS report must be
completed setting forth the cause of the unnecessary alarm and
the relevant particulars.
Select appropriate code based on best information available, whether observed by
or reported to responding unit.

Question 30

10-36

Answer 30

Vehicle Accident or Emergency
Code 1: Vehicle accident or emergency requiring washdown
Code 2: Vehicle accident, no injuries and no washdown
Code 3: Vehicle accident with injuries
Code 4: Vehicle accident, with or without injuries, with a trapped victim
requiring extrication
No Code: Vehicle emergency other than described above

Question 31

10-37

Answer 31

Medical Assignment Not Associated with Fire Operations
Code 1: Victim deceased.
Code 2: Victim/Patient is NOT breathing and requires resuscitation or may
be suffering from a serious, apparently life threatening injury or
illness.
Code 3: Victim/Patient IS breathing and suffering from a non-serious,
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.
Note: Signal 10-45 with appropriate sub-code shall be transmitted in lieu
of signal 10-37 for thermal burn injuries which occur as a direct
result of heat from a flame.
The officer transmitting signal 10-45 for this type of burn injury
shall request the response of a Battalion Chief to the scene.
Where doubt exists as to which signal to transmit, a Battalion
Chief shall be requested to respond to the scene.

Question 32

10-38

Answer 32

Carbon Monoxide Response
Any type of Carbon Monoxide Response
Code 1: Detector Activation: Carbon Monoxide Investigation (low battery,
defective detector, unwarranted alarm, etc.)
Code 2: Detector Activation: Carbon Monoxide Incident (CO Meter
Reading of 1-9ppm)
Code 3: Detector Activation: Carbon Monoxide Emergency (CO Meter
Reading of greater than 9ppm)
Code 4: No Detector Activation: Carbon Monoxide Incident or Emergency
(Specify) e.g.: no detector present in affected area, detector present
in affected area, but did not activate.

Question 33

10-39

Answer 33

FD Standing By
FD Units standing by at interagency incident, e.g. standing by at a suspicious package.

Question 34

10-40

Answer 34

Utility 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 - any type of water leak or flooding condition
Code 4: Steam Leak - any type of steam leak

Question 35

10-41

Answer 35

Fire Marshal Investigation Required (Specify Code)

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, or an occupied detached garage, shed or similar structure.
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 at the time of the fire.
Code 4: Vacant Structure, or Structures not intended for Dwelling Purposes.
Examples include, but are not limited to the following:
Vacant buildings, buildings under construction/demolition, detached
garages, sheds or similar structures.
Note: If any of the above are occupied at the time of the fire,
transmit Code 1.
The Incident Commander must notify the dispatcher by radio that the fire is suspicious
prior to leaving the scene. If, after leaving the scene, information becomes available
which indicate that the fire is suspicious, the Incident Commander shall
immediately notify the dispatcher and the Bureau of Fire Investigation, by
telephone, that the fire has been declared suspicious.

Question 36

10-44

Answer 36

Request for Ambulance
A request for an ambulance response from the EMS Command. Specify the reason
and type (when possible).

Question 37

10-45

Answer 37

Civilian DOA or Serious Injury FIRE RELATED ONLY

At the scene of fire operations, including vehicle fires, the signal 10-45 shall be
transmitted upon the discovery of any fatality or injured civilians as a result of the
fire operation.

Question 38

10-47

Answer 38

Police Response

Police assistance is needed for crowd or traffic control, security, apprehension, etc.
The dispatcher shall be advised of the specific reason for the request.

Question 39

10-48

Answer 39

Police Repsonse for Harassment

Firefighters are being harmed and Police assisstance is needed immediately.

Question 40

10-51

Answer 40

Suspension of Outside Activities

Transmitted over Department radio, voice alarm, and teleprinter when outside
activities are suspended.
When conditions “that caused suspension of outside activities no longer exist, the
following message will be transmitted by Department radio, voice alarm and
teleprinter:
“All units resume outside activities forthwith.”

Question 41

10-60

Answer 41

Major Emergency Repsonse

Major Emergency Incident with the potential for multiple casualties, e.g. collapse
of a private dwelling, derailment of a subway car.

Question 42

10-60 CODE 1

Answer 42

Major Emergency Response
Enhanced Technical Rescue Resources Required

Major Emergency Incident with the potential for multiple casualties, with the need
for Enhanced Technical Rescue Resources.
Note: Technical Rescue defined as tunneling, trenching, shoring, cutting of
load-bearing structural members, complicated disentanglement/extrication, etc.

Question 43

10-60 CODE 2

Answer 43

Major Emergency Response
Enhanced Technical Rescue Resources Required – Large Scale

Major Emergency Incident with the potential for multiple casualties, with the need
for Enhanced Technical Rescue Resources. Incident is of a larger scale requiring
an enhanced 2nd Alarm assignment, e.g. collapse of a 6 story multiple dwelling, an
explosion with severe collateral structural damage, airplane crash (except Airport
Crash Boxes 37 LaGuardia and 269 JFK).

Question 44

10-66

Answer 44

Missing, Lost, Trapped, or Seriously Injured Member and Additional
Resources are Required

Question 45

10-70

Answer 45

Water Supply is required

Question 46

10-75

Answer 46

Notification of a Fire or emergency

Notification of a Fire or Emergency
A notification signal transmitted when, in the judgment of the Incident
Commander, conditions indicate a fire or emergency that requires a total response
of the following units:
4 - Engine companies 1 - FAST unit
2 - Ladder companies 1 - Squad company (if available)
2 - Battalion Chiefs 1 - Rescue company (if available)

Question 47

10-76

Answer 47

Notification of a fire in a high rise building

A high rise building includes all buildings that are 75 feet or more in height.

Question 48

10-76/2nd Alarm

Answer 48

Notification of a fire in a High rise building

A High-Rise Building includes all buildings 75 feet or more in height.
A notification signal transmitted when, in the judgment of the Incident Commander,
conditions indicate a fire in a high-rise commercial building requires, in addition to the
units assigned on a 10-76, a total response of the following units:
4 - Engine companies 1 - Deputy Chief
2 - Ladder companies 1 - Rescue company
3 - Battalion Chiefs 1 - Satellite Unit
3rd Battalion Chief assigned on the second alarm is designated Resource Unit
Leader
Additional EMS resources assigned on a 10-76/Second Alarm include:
1 - Deputy Chief 3 - BLS ambulances
1 - Division Captain 1 - ALS ambulance
1 - Conditions Officer 1 - Haz-Tac Officer
1 - Major Emergency Response Vehicle 1 - Logistical Support Unit
Mobile Respiratory Treatment Unit
Upon transmission of a 10-76 / Second Alarm, the appropriate Battalion Chief shall be
designated Air Recon Chief and shall respond in accordance with policy and procedures.

Question 49

10-77

Answer 49

Notification of a fire in a High rise Multiple Dwelling

Question 50

10-80

Answer 50

Hazardous Materials Incident

The initial notification by field units of a hazardous materials incident. Transmission of the
signal 10-80 will serve to warn responders to proceed with caution to avoid entering a
restricted area. The Incident Commander will transmit the following codes after size up and
evaluation of the incident.

Question 51

10-80 No code

Answer 51

An incident that can be controlled by the on-scene unit(s) and requires no
additional resources:
The HM Battalion and HMC1 can be contacted via the dispatcher, 800 MHz or
cell phone for technical information if necessary. HM Battalion and HMC1 may
be requested to respond to the incident if necessary.
Guidelines for transmitting Signal 10-80 No Code include:
A. Release is of a small quantity
B. The material and its hazards have been identified
C. Firefighters’ PPE provides adequate protection against the hazards
D. Special equipment and specialized training are not needed

Question 52

10-80 Code 1

Answer 52

An incident that requires additional resources not carried by regular field units to mitigate a
spill or release that requires specialized training, knowledge, equipment or PPE.
Transmission of a 10-80 Code 1 does not involve contamination of civilians or
responders.

Question 53

10-80 CODE 2

Answer 53

An incident that involves a spill or release with 4 or less contaminated civilians or
responders and requires Haz-Mat resources for possible rescue, mitigation and
decontamination.

Question 54

10-80 CODE 3

Answer 54

A Mass Decontamination incident where 5 or more civilians or responders are
contaminated and additional Department resources are needed above the Code 2 level.

Question 55

10-80 CODE 4

Answer 55

A Mass Decontamination Response requiring Mass Decon Task Forces (MDTF) to
decontaminate a large number of victims as quickly as possible.

Question 56

10-84

Answer 56

First Unit to Arrive.
The first arriving unit shall immediately transmit a 10-84 via the MDT or
Department radio if the MDT is out of service. 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.
Division Commanders and Chiefs within their commands are to take necessary
steps to ensure that units are transmitting the 10-84 signal for all responses.
Chief Officers shall transmit a 10-84 upon their arrival at an alarm.
All units equipped with an operational MDT shall, upon arrival at their assigned
response locations, transmit a 10-84 by MDT regardless of their order of arrival at the
location or the level of alarm to which they are responding (e.g., 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,
etc.).

Question 57

10-85

Answer 57

Fire Marshal requires Emergency Police assistance

Specify reason

Question 58

10-86

Answer 58

Flouroprotein Foam Operation

Transmitted for a fire or emergency requiring Fluoroprotein foam concentrate in
addition to that carried by units on the scene. The following units are to respond:
2- Foam Carriers and associated engine companies
2- Foam Coordinators (Battalion Chiefs)
1- Satellite Unit and associated engine company
1- Foam Tender and associated engine company
2- Purple K Units and associated engine companies
Note: If alcohol foam is required, this must be specified by the Incident
Commander when transmitting 10-86 signal.

Question 59

10-87

Answer 59

High Expansion Foam Operation
Transmitted for a fire or emergency requiring High Expansion foam.
The following units are to respond:
3- Foam Carriers and associated engine companies
2- Foam Coordinators (Battalion Chiefs)
1- Satellite Unit and associated engine company

Question 60

10-91

Answer 60

Medical Emergency EMS – Fire Unit Not Required
To be transmitted through borough dispatcher by the responding unit for the
following reasons:
Fire Unit is canceled enroute due to EMS on scene.
EMS downgrades the job to a segment that does not require a Fire Unit
response.
Note: This signal shall be used only for medical emergency incidents.

Question 61

10-92

Answer 61

Malicious False Alarm

Indicates that a false alarm was transmitted with malicious intent.

Question 62

10-99

Answer 62

Unit Will Be Operating for at least 30 Minutes
An operating unit will be unavailable for at least 30 minutes. The unit is to state
the reason it will not be available.