View source for Ten-code

{{short description|Brevity codes used by a variety of US professionals}}
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'''Ten-codes''', officially known as '''ten signals''', are [[brevity code]]s used to represent common phrases in voice communication, particularly by US public safety officials and in [[Citizens band radio|citizens band]] (CB) radio transmissions. The police version of ten-codes is officially known as the '''APCO Project 14 Aural Brevity Code.'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1975-10-017.200.pdf|title=APCO Brevity Code to be "Voluntary Standard" In Florida Communications Plan|date=October 1975|website=rackcdn.com|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>

The codes, developed during 1937–1940 and expanded in 1974 by the [[Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International]] (APCO), allow brevity and standardization of message traffic.  They have historically been widely used by law enforcement officers in [[North America]], but in 2006, due to the lack of standardization, the U.S. federal government recommended they be discontinued in favor of everyday language.<ref name="plain">{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=113738105 |title=Plain Talk Eases Police Radio Codes Off The Air |author=Heard on Morning Edition |date=2009-10-13 |publisher=NPR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017193802/http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=113738105 |archive-date=2009-10-17 |url-status=live |access-date=2010-01-23 }}</ref>

==History==
APCO first proposed Morse code brevity codes in the June 1935 issue of The APCO Bulletin, which were adapted from the procedure symbols of the U.S. Navy, though these procedures were for communications in Morse code, not voice.<ref>{{cite web|title=The APCO Bulletin (June 1935)|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/june-1935.pdf|access-date=15 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316141346/http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/june-1935.pdf|archive-date=16 March 2016}}</ref>

In August 1935, the APCO Bulletin published a recommendation that the organization issue a handbook that described standard operating procedures, including:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/august-1935.pdf|title=Special APCO Bulletin|date=August 1935}}</ref>
# A standard message form for use by all police departments.
# A simple code for service dispatches relating to corrections, repetitions, etc.
# A standard arrangement of the context of messages, (for example, name and description of missing person might be transmitted as follows: Name, age, height, weight, physical characteristics, clothing; if car used, the license, make, description and motor number. This information would actually be transmitted in the text of the message as follows: John Brown 28-5-9-165 medium build brown eyes dark hair dark suit light hat Mich. 35 lic. W 2605 Ford S 35 blue red wheels 2345678 may go to Indiana).
# A standard record system for logging the operation of the station.
# Other important records in accordance with the uniform crime reporting system sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
The development of the '''APCO Ten Signals''' began in 1937<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apconetforum.org/eweb/downloads/PolicyManual061509.pdf|title=APCO Project Series}}</ref> to reduce use of speech on the radio at a time when police radio channels were limited. Credit for inventing the codes goes to Charles "Charlie" Hopper, communications director for the [[Illinois State Police]], District 10 in [[Pesotum, Illinois]]. Hopper had been involved in radio for years and realized there was a need to abbreviate transmissions on [[State police|State Police]] bands.<ref name="end10codes">{{cite web|url=http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=3615|title=The End of 10-Codes?|date=August 2006|author=James Careless|access-date=15 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316230251/http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=3615|archive-date=16 March 2016}}</ref> Experienced radio operators knew the first syllable of a transmission was frequently not understood because of quirks in early electronics technology. Radios in the 1930s were based on [[vacuum tube]]s powered by a small motor-generator called a [[dynamotor]]. The dynamotor took from 1/10 to 1/4 of a second to "spin up" to full power. Police officers were trained to push the microphone button, then pause briefly before speaking; however, sometimes they would forget to wait. Preceding each code with "ten-" gave the radio transmitter time to reach full power. An APCO Bulletin of January 1940 lists codes assigned as part of standardisation.<ref name=Bulletin>[http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1940-01-p008-200.pdf http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1940-01-p008-200.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810212357/http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1940-01-p008-200.pdf |date=2017-08-10 }}, p.8</ref>

In 1954, APCO published an article describing a proposed simplification of the code, based on an analysis conducted by the San Diego Police Department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.apcohistory.org/apco-collection/search/profile/article/A30356|title=Codes And Signals - More Discussion On The Radio Code Problems}}</ref> In the September 1955 issue of the APCO Bulletin, a revision of the Ten-Signals was proposed,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1955-09-pp008-200.pdf|title=Proposed Revision Of "10" Signals}}</ref> and it was later adopted.

The Ten Signals were included in APCO Project Two (1967), "Public Safety Standard Operating Procedures Manual", published as study cards in APCO Project 4 (1973), "Ten Signal Cards", and then revised in APCO Project 14 (1974).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Origin of The Ten Code|url=http://www.freqofnature.com/index.php?m=articles&p=brevity%20codes|access-date=27 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618100816/http://www.freqofnature.com/index.php?m=articles&p=brevity%20codes|archive-date=18 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=APCO Projects|url=https://www.apcointl.org/about-apco/apco-projects.html|access-date=27 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618160414/https://www.apcointl.org/about-apco/apco-projects.html|archive-date=18 June 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.911dispatch.com/info/tencode.html 9-Code, 10-Code.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320040332/http://www.911dispatch.com/info/tencode.html |date=2015-03-20 }} Dispatch Magazine online.</ref><ref name="Rafik Jabbour">{{cite web|title=Official Ten-Code List Association of Public Communications Officers (APCO)|url=http://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013030055/http://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html|archive-date=2007-10-13}}</ref>

===In popular culture===
Ten-codes, especially "10-4" (meaning "understood") first reached public recognition in the mid- to late-1950s through the television series ''[[Highway Patrol (U.S. TV series)|Highway Patrol]]'', with [[Broderick Crawford]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Ten-codes were adapted for use by [[Citizens band radio|CB radio]] enthusiasts. [[C. W. McCall]]'s hit song "[[Convoy (song)|Convoy]]" (1975), depicting conversation among CB-communicating [[trucker]]s, put phrases like "10-4" and "what's your twenty?" (10-20 for "where are you?") into common use in American English.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

The movie ''[[Convoy (1978 film)|Convoy]]'' (1978), loosely based on McCall's song, further entrenched ten-codes in casual conversation, as did the movie ''[[Smokey and the Bandit]]''.

The New Zealand [[reality television]] show ''[[Ten 7 Aotearoa]]'' (formerly ''Police Ten 7'') takes its name from the New Zealand Police ten-code 10-7, which means "Unit has arrived at job".<ref name="Admin">{{Cite web |last=Admin |first=Blow on the Pie |title=NATIONAL RADIO CODES / POLICE {{!}} BlowonthePie - For New Zealand Scanner Codes and more |url=https://blowonthepie.co.nz/emergency-codes/national-radio-codes-police/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Screen |first=NZ On |title=Police Ten 7 {{!}} Series {{!}} Television {{!}} NZ On Screen |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/police-ten-7-2002/series#:~:text=Taking%20its%20name%20from%20police,began%20presenting%20in%20September%202015. |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.nzonscreen.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Police officer retirement (North America)==
Often when an officer retires, a call to dispatch is made. The officer gives a 10-7 code (Out of service) and then a 10-42 code (ending tour of duty).<ref name="FOX">{{cite news |last1=Suarez Sang |first1=Lucia I. |title=Cop son gives father -- a fellow officer -- a heartfelt sendoff on last radio call before retirement |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/cop-son-gives-fellow-officer-father-heartfelt-sendoff-on-last-radio-call-before-retirement |access-date=21 December 2019 |publisher=Fox News |date=8 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="Trib">{{cite news |title=Son surprises father by acknowledging his last radio call before retiring from Arkansas Highway Police |url=https://fox13now.com/2019/02/07/son-surprises-father-by-acknowledging-his-last-radio-call-before-retiring-from-arkansas-highway-police/ |access-date=21 December 2019 |agency=Fox 13 Now |publisher=Tribune Media Wire |date=7 February 2019}}</ref>

==Signals by time period (North America)==
{| class="wikitable"
!Signal
!
!
! colspan=5 | APCO Meaning
!
!
|-
!
!1937 APCO
!1939 First Published Set (17 signals)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1976-01-pp014-200.pdf|title=Happy Birthday}}</ref>
!1940 (APCO Standards Committee)<ref name=Bulletin/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1940-04-p012-200.pdf|title=Page Twelve The APCO Bulletin April 1940}}</ref>
!1955 (National Operating Procedure Committee)<ref name="standard">{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1957-04-pp007-200.pdf|title=Standard "Ten Signals"}}</ref>
!APCO Project 2 (1967)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/nationaltraining025505mbp|title=A NATIONAL TRAINING MANUAL AND PROCEDURAL GUIDE FOR POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL|year=1968|publisher=U.S.GOVT.PRINTING OFFICE}}</ref>
!APCO Project 4 (1973)
!APCO Project 14 (1974)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1974-proj14-apr-060.200.pdf|title=Public Safety Communication Aural Brevity Code}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncems.org/pdf/dialcode/0157%20APCO%2010-Codes.PDF|title=OFFICIAL TEN SIGNAL LIST|publisher=Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers, Inc.|access-date=2017-11-18|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044253/http://www.ncems.org/pdf/dialcode/0157%20APCO%2010-Codes.PDF|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!Clear Speech
(c. 1971)

(plain language to replace Ten Codes)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.911dispatch.com/reference/tencodestudy.pdf|title=Ten Code Versus Clear Speech Communication|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313192708/http://www.911dispatch.com/reference/tencodestudy.pdf|archive-date=2006-03-13|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
!Phrase Word Brevity Code (c. 1979)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/87025NCJRS.pdf|title=Phrase Word Brevity Code|access-date=2020-03-25|page=29}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Procedure and Officer Details'''
|
|-
|10-MAX
|
|AWOL
| -
| -
| -
|
|Corrupt Officer
|Officer not following orders
|Insubord{{shy}}ination/{{zwsp}}Rogue Officer
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Go Ahead
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Under Control
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|In Pursuit
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Traffic Stop
|-
|10-0
|
|
|—
|—
|—
|
|—
|Use caution
|
|-
|10-1
|
|
| colspan="2" |Receiving poorly.
|Unable to copy - change location
|
|Signal Weak
|Unable to copy - change location
|Unreadable
|-
|10-2
|
|
| colspan="2" |Receiving well.
|Signals good
|
|Signal Good
|—
|
|-
|10-3
|
|
|Stop transmitting.
|Disregard last information
|Stop transmitting
|
| colspan="2" |Stop Transmitting
|
|-
|10-4
|
|
|Acknowl{{shy}}edgement.
|Message received
|Acknowl{{shy}}edgement
|
|Affirmative (Ok)
|Roger
|Roger/{{zwsp}}Affirmative
|-
|10-5
|
|
| colspan="3" |Relay.
|
|Relay (To)
|Relay
|
|-
|10-6
|
|
|Busy.
|Busy, stand by
|Busy -Stand by unless urgent
|
|Busy
|Busy
|
|-
|10-7
|
|
| colspan="2" |Out of service.
|Out of service (Give location and/or telephone number)
|
|Out of Service
|Out at ...
|Out of Service
|-
|10-7 A
|
|
|
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|Not Available
|-
|10-7 B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Off Radio
|-
|10-8
|
|
| colspan="3" |In service.
|
|In Service
|Clear
|In Service
|-
|10-9
|
|
|Repeat, conditions bad.
| colspan="2" |Repeat
|
| colspan="3" |Say Again
|-
|10-10
|
|
|Out of service—subject to call.
|On minor detail, subject to call
|Fight in progress
|
|Negative
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|-
|10-11
|
|
|Dispatching too rapidly.
|Stay in service
|Dog Case
|
|... On Duty
|On Radio
|-
|10-12
|
|
|Officials or visitors present.
|Visitors or officials present
|Stand by (stop)
|
|Stand By (Stop)
|Stand by
|Stand By
|-
|10-13
|
|
|Advise weather and road conditions.
|Weather and road conditions
|Weather and road report
|
|Existing Conditions
|Weather report/{{zwsp}}road report
|
|-
|10-14
|
|
|Convoy or escort.
|Convoy or escort
|Report of prowler
|
|Message/{{zwsp}}Information
|—
|Prepare to Copy
|-
|10-15
|
|
| colspan="2" |We have prisoner in custody.
|Civil disturbance
|
|Message Delivered
|Disturbance
|
|-
|10-16
|
|
| colspan="2" |Pick up prisoner at ...
|Domestic trouble
|
|Reply to Message
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|-
|10-17
|
|
| colspan="2" |Pick up papers at ...
|Meet complainant
|
|Enroute
|Responding
|-
|10-17 A
|
|
| rowspan="3" |—
| rowspan="3" |—
| rowspan="3" |—
|
| rowspan="3" |—
|Theft
|
|-
|10-17 B
|
|
|
|Vandalism
|
|-
|10-17 C
|
|
|
|Shoplifting
|
|-
|10-18
|
|
|Complete present assignment as quickly as possible.
|Anything for us?
|Complete assignment quickly
|
| colspan="2" |Urgent
|Priority
|-
|10-19
|
|
|Return to your station.
|Nothing for you
|Return to ...
|
|(In) Contact
|Return to ...
|
|-
|10-20
|
|
|What is your location?
|Location
|Location
|
|Location
|Location
|
|-
|10-21
|
|
|Call this station by telephone.
| colspan="2" |Call ... by phone
|
|Call (...) by Phone
|Call ...
|Telephone
|-
|10-22
|
|
|Take no further action last information.
|Report in person to ...
|Disregard
|
| colspan="3" |Disregard
|-
|10-23
|
|
|Stand by until no interference.
| colspan="2" |Arrived at scene
|
|Arrived at Scene
|On scene
|
|-
|10-24
|
|
|Trouble at station—unwelcome visitors—all units vicinity report at once.
|Finished with last assignment
|Assignment completed
|
|Assignment Completed
|—
|Available
|-
|10-25
|
|
|Do you have contact with...?
|Operator or officer on duty?
|Report in person to (meet) ...
|
|Report to (Meet) ...
|Meet ... or contact ...
|
|-
|10-26
|
|
|Can you obtain automobile registration information?
|Holding subject, rush reply
|Detaining subject, expedite
|
|Estimated Arrival Time
|Detaining subject, expedite
|
|-
|10-27
|
|
|Any answer our number...?
|Request driver's license information
|Drivers license information
|
|License/{{zwsp}}Permit Information
|Drivers license information on ...
|
|-
|10-28
|
|
|Check full registration information.
|Request full registration information
|Vehicle registration information
|
|Ownership Information
|Registration information on ...
|
|-
|10-29
|
|
|Check for wanted.
|Check record for wanted
|Check records for wanted.
|
|Records Check
|Check for wanted on ...
|
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Emergency or Unusual'''
|
|-
|10-30
|
|
| colspan="2" |Does not conform to rules and regulations.
|Illegal use of radio
|
|Danger/{{zwsp}}Caution
|—
|Use Caution
|-
|10-31
|
|
|Is lie detector available?
|Emergency basis, all squads, 10-11
|Crime in progress
|
|Pick Up
|—
|
|-
|10-31 A
|
|
| rowspan="5" |—
| rowspan="5" |—
| rowspan="5" |—
|
| rowspan="5" |—
|Burglary
|
|-
|10-31 B
|
|
|
|Robbery
|
|-
|10-31 C
|
|
|
|Homicide
|
|-
|10-31 D
|
|
|
|Kidnapping
|
|-
|10-31 E
|
|
|
|Shooting
|
|-
|10-32
|
|
|Is [[Breathalyzer|drunkometer]] available?
|Chase, all squads stand by
|Man with gun
|
|... Units Needed (Specify)
| rowspan="6" |—
|
|-
|10-33
|
|
|Emergency traffic at this station—clear?
|Emergency traffic this station
|EMERGENCY
|
|Help Me Quick
|Help Officer
|-
|10-34
|
|
|Clear for local dispatch?
|Trouble at station, assistance needed
|Riot
|
|Time
|
|-
|10-35
|
|
|Confidential information.
|Major crime, blockade
|Major crime alert
|
| rowspan="5" |—Reserved—
|
|-
|10-36
|
|
|Correct time?
|—
|Correct time
|
|
|-
|10-37
|
|
|Operator on duty?
|No rush
|Investigate suspicious vehicle
|
|
|-
|10-38
|
|
|Station report—satisfactory.
|Hurry, but do not use red light or siren
|Stopping suspicious vehicle (Give station complete description before stopping).
|
|Traffic stop on ...
|
|-
|10-39
|
|
|Your Nr...delivered to addressee.
|Use red light and siren
|Urgent-Use light and siren
|
|—
|
|-
| colspan="7" |'''General Use'''
|'''Private Use'''
|
|
|-
|10-40
|
|
|Advise if Officer...available for radio call.
|Notification
|Silent run - No light or siren
|
|
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|-
|10-41
|
|
|Tune to ... kcs. for test with mobile unit or emergency service.
|Car change at ...
|Beginning tour of duty
|
|
|
|-
|10-42
|
|
| rowspan="8" |—
|Crew change at ...
|Ending tour of duty
|
|
|Off duty
|
|-
|10-43
|
|
|Take school crossing
|Information
|
|
|—
|
|-
|10-44
|
|
| rowspan="5" |—
|Request permission to leave patrol ... for ...
|
|
|Request for ...
|
|-
|10-45
|
|
|Animal carcass in ... lane at ...
|
|
|—
|
|-
|10-46
|
|
|Assist motorist
|
|
|Assist motorist
|
|-
|10-47
|
|
|Emergency road repairs needed
|
|
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|-
|10-48
|
|
|Traffic standard needs repairs
|
|
|
|-
|10-49
|
|
|Hourly report mark
|Traffic light out
|
|
|East bound green light out (etc.)
|
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Accident and Vehicle Handling'''
|
|-
|10-50
|
|
| rowspan="10" |—
|Auto accident, property damage only
|Accident—F, PI, PD
|
|
|Traffic (F, PD)
Traffic

* Hit and run
* Injury
* No injury reported
* Unknown
* Private property, location
|
|-
|10-51
|
|
|Auto accident, wrecker sent
|Wrecker needed
|
|
| rowspan="5" |—
|
|-
|10-52
|
|
|Auto accident, personal injuries, ambulance sent
|Ambulance needed
|
|
|
|-
|10-53
|
|
|Auto accident, fatal
|Road blocked
|
|
|
|-
|10-54
|
|
|—
|Livestock on highway
|
|
|
|-
|10-55
|
|
|Drunken driver
|Intoxicated driver
|
|
|
|-
|10-56
|
|
|—
|Intoxicated pedestrian
|
|
|Drunk pedestrian
|
|-
|10-57
|
|
|—
|Hit and run—F, PI, PD
|
|
| rowspan="3" |—
|
|-
|10-58
|
|
|Is wrecker on the way?
|Direct traffic
|
|
|
|-
|10-59
|
|
|Is ambulance on the way?
|Convoy or escort
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Net Message Handling'''
|
|-
|10-60
|
|
|What is next item (message) number?
|What is your next message number?
|Squad in vicinity
|
|
| rowspan="3" |—
|
|-
|10-61
|
|
|Stand by for CW traffic on ... kcs.
|CW traffic
|Personnel in area.
|
|
|
|-
|10-62
|
|
|Unable to copy phone—use CW.
|Any answer our Nr. ...
|Reply to message
|
|
|
|-
|10-63
|
|
|Net directed.
|Time
|Prepare to make written copy
|
|
|Prepare to copy
|
|-
|10-64
|
|
|Net free.
|—
|Message for local delivery
|
|
| rowspan="6" |—
|
|-
|10-65
|
|
|Clear for item (message) assignment?
|Clear for message assignment
|Net message assignment
|
|
|
|-
|10-66
|
|
|Clear for cancellation?
|Clear for cancellation
|Message cancellation
|
|
|
|-
|10-67
|
|
|Stations...carry this item (message).
|Clear for net message
|Clear to read net message
|
|
|
|-
|10-68
|
|
|Repeat dispatch.
| rowspan="2" |—
|Dispatch information
|
|
|
|-
|10-69
|
|
|Have you dispatched...?
|Message received
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Fire'''
|
|-
|10-70
|
|
|Net message (State net traffic).
|Fire, phone alarm
|Fire alarm
|
|
|Fire
|
|-
|10-71
|
|
|Proceed with traffic in sequence (busy here).
|Box alarm
|Advise nature of fire (size, type, and contents of building)
|
|
| rowspan="3" |—
|
|-
|10-72
|
|
| rowspan="8" |—
|Second alarm
|Report progress on fire
|
|
|
|-
|10-73
|
|
|Third alarm
|Smoke report
|
|
|
|-
|10-74
|
|
|Fourth alarm
|Negative
|
|
|Negative
|
|-
|10-75
|
|
|Fifth alarm
|In contact with
|
|
|—
|
|-
|10-76
|
|
|Fire equipment needed
|En Route
|
|
|En route ...
|
|-
|10-77
|
|
|Fire, grass
|ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
|
|
|ETA (Estimated time of arrival)
|
|-
|10-78
|
|
|Set up command post
|Need assistance
|
|
|Request Assistance
|
|-
|10-79
|
|
|Report progress on fire
|Notify coroner
|
|
|Notify coroner (to be done by phone whenever possible)
|
|-
| colspan="4" |'''The 80 series is reserved for assignment by nets for local use.'''
|'''Personal Favors'''
|—
|
|
|
|
|-
|10-80
|
|
|... tower lights at this station burned out.
| rowspan="2" |—
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|
|Chase
|
|-
|10-81
|
|
|Officer Nr. ... will be at your station ...
|
|
| rowspan="8" |—
|
|-
|10-82
|
|
|Reserve room with bath at hotel for officer Nr. ...
|Reserve hotel room
|Reserve lodging
|
|
|
|-
|10-83
|
|
|Have officer Nr. ... call this station by telephone.
| rowspan="5" |—
|—
|
|
|
|-
|10-84
|
|
|Advise telephone Nr. ... your city that officer Nr. ... will not return this date.
|If meeting ... advise ETA
|
|
|
|-
|10-85
|
|
|Officer ... left this station for ... (Jefferson City) (Des Moines) at ...
|Will be late
|
|
|
|-
|10-86
|
|
|Officer ... left this station for ... at ...
|—
|
|
|
|-
|10-87
|
|
|Officer Nr. ... will be in ... if officer Nr. ... will be in.
|Meet the officer at ______.
|
|
|
|-
|10-88
|
|
|What phone number shall we call to make station to station call to officer Nr. ...?
|Advise phone number for station to station call
|Advise present telephone number of ...
|
|
|
|-
|10-89
|
|
|Request radio service man be sent to this station...
|Radio transmission
|—
|
|
|Bomb threat
|
|-
| colspan="9" |'''Technical'''
|
|-
|10-90
|
|
|Radio service man will be at your station ....
|Transmit on alternate frequency
|Bank alarm
|
|
|Alarm (type of alarm)
|
|-
|10-91
|
|
|Prepare for inspection (date) ... (time) ...
| rowspan="2" |—
|Unnecessary use of radio
|
|
|Pick up prisoner
|
|-
|10-92
|
|
|Your quality poor—transmitter apparently out of adjustment.
|—
|
|
|Parking complaint
|
|-
|10-93
|
|
|Frequencies to be checked this date.
|Frequency check
|Blockade
|
|
| rowspan="2" |—
|
|-
|10-94
|
|
|Test—no modulation—for frequency check.
|Give me a test
|Drag racing
|
|
|
|-
|10-95
|
|
|Test intermittently with normal modulation for ...
| rowspan="5" |—
|—
|
|
|Prisoner in custody
|
|-
|10-96
|
|
|Test continuously with tone modulation for ...
|Mental subject
|
|
|—
|
|-
|10-97
|
|
| rowspan="3" |—
|—
|
|
|Check traffic signal
|
|-
|10-98
|
|
|Prison or jail break
|
|
|Prison/jail break
|
|-
|10-99
|
|
|Records indicate wanted or stolen
|
|
|Wanted/{{zwsp}}stolen
|
|}

== Usage by Areas ==

=== New Zealand ===
The [[New Zealand Police]] use a variety of radio communication codes including its own version of 10-codes seen below.<ref name="Admin"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Code
!Meaning
!Activity
|-
|10-0
|Off duty
|In use
|-
|10-1
|Broadcast to all units
|In use
|-
|10-2
|Enroute to job/event
|In use
|-
|10-3
|Available
|In use
|-
|10-4
|Repeat your last message
|In use
|-
|10-5
|Out of service for a short time
|Not in use
|-
|10-6
|Change radio channel
|In use
|-
|10-8
|Arrived at job/event
|In use
|-
|10-9
|Busy but Available
|In use
|-
|10-10
|Officer requires immediate assistance (call for help)
|In use
|}

=== Philippines ===

== TxtFire Philippines Fire-Specific 10-Codes ==

'''TxtFire Philippines''' employs a subset of its standard 10-codes exclusively for fire-response operations. These fire-specific signals are used to dispatch and coordinate firefighting resources on VHF/UHF radio.

== Fire-specific code list ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Code !! Meaning
|-
| 10-23 || Arrived at scene
|-
| 10-45 || Fire-service vehicle
|-
| 10-70 || For Verification, Fire alarm (structure)
|-
| 10-71 || Advise nature of fire
|-
| 10-73 || Request additional fire truck
|-
| 10-74 || Negative Fire
|}

== Fire response protocols ==
* Codes 10-70 through 10-73 automatically trigger dispatch of firefighting units and apparatus.
* Code 10-45 is used to identify any fire-service vehicle (engine, ladder, tanker, etc.) on the air.
* All fire-specific traffic takes priority over routine and non-fire messages on the main frequency.

== Operational procedures ==

=== Emergency protocols ===

Codes 10-70 through 10-73 are designated as fire-specific codes that trigger automatic dispatch protocols within the TxtFire network.

Code 10-33 is reserved exclusively for life-threatening emergencies, requiring all non-essential radio traffic to cease immediately.

=== Communication guidelines ===

Before initiating non-emergency communication with another station, operators must first request permission using code "10-75" from base control and complete the communication within three minutes, or transfer to a secondary channel.

During curfew hours (22:00–06:00), only emergency traffic is permitted on the main frequency; routine communications are prohibited.

Base control strictly prohibits vulgar language and commercial or personal advertisements on all frequencies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/85146964/10Codes-and-Rules |title=10Codes and Rules |website=Scribd |access-date=2025-07-26}}</ref>

== Replacement with plain language ==
While ten-codes were intended to be a terse, concise, and standardized system, the proliferation of different meanings can render them useless in situations when officers from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate.

In the fall of 2005, responding to inter-organizational communication problems during the rescue operations after [[Hurricane Katrina]], the United States [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) discouraged the use of ten-codes and other codes due to their wide variation in meaning.<ref>[http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=19&id=26605 The End of the Ten-Code?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722201256/http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=19&id=26605|date=2009-07-22}}. Tim Dees, Officer.com, 9 November 2005</ref><ref>[http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/article_5e02f577-c15d-5848-89b8-3f03ea7da3b5.html?mode=print 10-4 no more?]. Megan Scott, asap (AP), 23 November 2005</ref> The [[Department of Homeland Security]]'s SAFECOM program, established in response to communication problems experienced during the [[September 11 attacks]] also advises local agencies on how and why to transition to plain language,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf|title=Plain Language Guide|work=SAFECOM program|publisher=Department of Homeland Security|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527234725/http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-27|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-01-23}}</ref> and their use is expressly forbidden in the nationally standardized [[Incident Command System]], as is the use of other codes.<ref name="nimsfaq">Federal Emergency Management Agency. ''NIMS Frequently Asked Questions''. Retrieved on 2014-12-01 from {{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/nims-frequently-asked-questions|title=NIMS Frequently Asked Questions &#124; FEMA.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223190939/http://www.fema.gov/nims-frequently-asked-questions|archive-date=2014-12-23|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-12-02}}.</ref>

APCO International stated in 2012 that plain speech communications over public safety radio systems is preferred over the traditional 10-Codes and dispatch signals.<ref>[http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html#plainspeech APCO position statement on Plain Speech in Public Safety Communications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509005027/http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html|date=2012-05-09}}</ref> Nineteen states had changed to plain English by the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language/|title=Maine police dropping 10-code, switching to plain language|last=Mack|first=Sharon Kiley|date=January 1, 2010|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118082538/http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language|archive-date=January 18, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2011}}, ten-codes remained in common use in many areas, but were increasingly being phased out in favor of plain language.<ref name="plain" />

=== Phrase Word Brevity Code ===
About 1979, APCO created the Phrase Word Brevity Code as a direct replacement for the Ten-code.<ref name=":1" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+Phrase Word Brevity Code
!Phrase word
!English meaning
!APCO Ten-code
|-
|Use Caution
|Caution: dangerous condition is suspected to exist.
|10-0
|-
|Unreadable
|Radio signal is too weak to receive.
|10-1
|-
|Out of Service
|Unit, vehicle or person is not working
|10-7
|-
|In Service
|Unit, vehicle or person is working but not necessarily "available" or "on radio."
|10-8
|-
|Available
|Unit is in service ready to accept assignment, not necessarily by radio.
|10-24
|-
|Not Available
|Unit cannot accept another assignment, but may be "on radio."
|10-7A
|-
|Prepare to Copy
|Dispatcher is about to give lengthy message.
|10-14
|-
|Go
|You have been given clearance to transmit your message.
| - -
|-
|Roger (Received)
|Message received and understood.
|10-4
|-
|Say Again (Repeat)
|Repeat your message.
|10-9
|-
|Stand By
|Stop transmitting and wait for further instructions.
|10-12
|-
|Disregard (Recall)
|Cancel your present assignment.
|10-22
|-
|Off Radio
|Unit is not capable of being contacted by radio, but may be "available."
|10-7B
|-
|On Radio
|Unit is capable of being contacted by radio, but not necessarily "available."
|10-11
|-
|Responding
|Unit is en route to assigned location.
|10-17
|-
|Under Control
|Situation is under control when no further assistance is anticipated.
| - -
|-
|Telephone (Tel. # or person)
|Call by telephone specified number or person.
|10-21
|-
|Priority
|When transmitted, means that the following transmission must have immediate attention.
| - -
|-
|In Pursuit
|Unit is chasing a vehicle and requires assistance from other units.
| - -
|-
|Traffic Stop
|Unit is going to stop a motorist.
| - -
|-
|Help Officer
|Help me quick (emergency).
|10-33
|-
|Affirmative
|Yes.
|10-4
|}

=== ICS Clear Text ===
In 1980, the [[National Incident Management System]] published a document, ICS Clear Text Guide, which was another attempt to create a replacement for Ten-codes. The list of code words was republished in the 1990 Montana Mutual Aid and Common Frequencies document.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/mutualaidcommonf1990mont|title=1990 Montana Mutual Aid and Common Frequencies|year=1990}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ICS Clear Text Guide<ref name=":2" />
!Procedure word
!Meaning
|-
|Unreadable
|Used when signal received is not clear. In most cases, try to add the specific trouble. Example: "Unreadable, background noise."
|-
|Loud and Clear
| rowspan="2" |Self-explanatory
|-
|Stop Transmitting
|-
|Copy, Copies
|Used to acknowledge message received. Unit radio identifier must also be used. Example: "Engine 2675, copies."
|-
|Affirmative
|Yes
|-
|Negative
|No
|-
|Respond, Responding
|Used during dispatch – proceed to or proceeding to an incident. Example: "Engine 5176, respond ..." or "St. Helena, Engine 1375 responding."
|-
|Enroute
|Normally used by administrative or staff personnel to designate destinations. Enroute is NOT a substitute for responding. Example: "Redding, Chief 2400 enroute RO II."
|-
|In-quarters, with Station Name or Number
|Used to indicate that a unit is in a station. Example: "Morgan Hill, Engine 4577 in-quarters, Sunol."
|-
|Uncovered
|Indicates a unit is not in-service, because there are no personnel to operate it.
|-
|Out-Of-Service
|Indicates a unit is mechanically out of service. Example: "Aburn, transport 2341, out-of-service." Note, when repairs have been completed the following phrase should be used: "Aburn transport 2341, back in-service, available."
|-
|In-Service
|This means that the unit is operating, not in response to a dispatch. Example: "Fortuna, Engine 1283, in-service, fire prevention inspections."
|-
|Repeat
| rowspan="2" |Self-explanatory
|-
|Weather
|-
|Return to
|Normally used by communications center to direct units that are available to a station or other location.
|-
|What is your Location?
| rowspan="6" |Self-explanatory
|-
|Call ____ by Phone
|-
|Disregard Last Message
|-
|Stand-By
|-
|Vehicle Registration Check
|-
|Is ____ Available for a Phone Call?
|-
|At Scene
|Used when Units arrive at the scene of an incident. Example: "Perris, Engine 6183, at scene."
|-
|Available at Residence
|Used by administrative or staff personnel to indicate they are available and on-call at their residence.
|-
|Can Handle
|Used with the amount of equipment needed to handle the incident. Example: "Susanville Battalion 2212, can handle with units not at scene."
|-
|Burning Operations
| rowspan="3" |Self-explanatory
|-
|Report on Conditions
|-
|Fire under Control
|-
|Emergency Traffic Only
|Radio users will confine all radio transmissions to an emergency in progress or a new incident. Radio traffic which includes status information such as responding, reports on conditions, at scene and available will not be authorized during this period.
|-
|Emergency Traffic
|Term used to gain control of radio frequency to report an emergency. All other radio users will refrain from using that frequency until cleared for use by the communications center.
|-
|Resume Normal Traffic
|Self-explanatory
|}

==Related codes==
{{Main|Police code}}
Brevity codes other than the APCO 10-code are frequently used, and include several types:

*The [[California Highway Patrol]] uses ten-codes, along with an additional set of eleven- and higher codes.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://cad.chp.ca.gov/htm.net/glossary.htm|title = CHP Glossary|publisher = California Highway Patrol|access-date = 2015-11-25|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151126100443/http://cad.chp.ca.gov/htm.net/glossary.htm|archive-date = 2015-11-26}}</ref>
*[[California Penal Code]] sections were in use by the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] as early as the 1940s, and these [[Police code#The Hundred Code|Hundred Code]] numbers are still used today instead of the corresponding ten-code.  Generally these are given as two sets of numbers{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
*The New York Fire Department uses its own ten-code system.<ref>[http://www.nyfd.com/radio.html F.D.N.Y. Radio Codes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915175458/http://www.nyfd.com/radio.html |date=2010-09-15 }} The Unofficial Home Page of FDNY.</ref>
*[[Fire and Emergency New Zealand]] uses a system of "K-codes" to pass [[fire appliance]] availability statuses as well as operational messages. For example, "K1" means "proceeding to incident", "K99" means "Structure fire, well involved", and "K41" means "fatality" (a reference to the [[Ballantynes fire|Ballantyne's fire]], New Zealand's deadliest, which killed 41 people).<ref>[http://neighbourhood.org.nz/fire_codes.html "K-Codes"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510045941/http://neighbourhood.org.nz/fire_codes.html |date=2016-05-10 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.radiowiki.org.nz/index.php/Fire_Radio_Codes "Fire radio codes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419072833/http://www.radiowiki.org.nz/index.php/Fire_Radio_Codes |date=2016-04-19 }}</ref><ref name="Christchurch_library_article">{{cite web |title=Ballantynes' fire – 18 November 1947 |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ballantynes-fire/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914223140/http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/ballantynes-fire/ |archivedate=14 September 2016 |accessdate=31 December 2019 |publisher=[[Christchurch City Libraries]]}}</ref> The [[New Zealand Police]] also use some K-codes,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiowiki.org.nz/index.php?title=Police_K_codes |title=Police K code |publisher=Radio Wiki |date=2012-06-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207045316/http://radiowiki.org.nz/index.php?title=Police_K_codes |archive-date=2013-02-07 }}</ref> with completely unrelated meanings to those used by FENZ; Police code "K1" means "no further police action required".
*Telegraph and teletype procedures
**[[Q code]] and [[prosigns for Morse code]] are used in [[amateur radio]], aviation, and [[marine radio]]. They provide specific abbreviations for concepts related to aviation, shipping, RTTY, radiotelegraph, and amateur radio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cbradiosource.com/archives/q_codes.pdf |title=Q Codes |publisher=CB Radio Source |access-date=2010-01-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814025822/http://cbradiosource.com/archives/q_codes.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-14 }}</ref> In [[radiotelegraph]] operation, a Q code is often shorter,<ref name=Qcode_10code>Ten-codes require transmission of three prefix characters "10-" and two numbers, so five characters, on top of which digits and punctuation are all long sequences in Morse (5&ndash;6&nbsp;dits or dahs). Letters are all short sequences in Morse (1&ndash;4&nbsp;dits or dahs), so the prefix "Q" and two letters is fewer characters and shorter code sequences.</ref> and provides codes standardized by meaning in all languages &ndash; essential for international [[shortwave]] radio communications.
**[[Z code]]s are used for military radio communications [[NATO]] countries, and like Q&nbsp;codes are standardized across languages.

==See also==
*[[Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System]]
*[[Emergency service response codes]]
*[[List of CB slang]]
*[[List of international common standards]]
*[[Medical Priority Dispatch System]]
*[[NATO phonetic alphabet]]
*[[Radiotelephony procedure]]
**[[Procedure word]]
*[[Spelling alphabet]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://txtfire.net Official TxtFire Philippines website]

==External links==
* [http://28011b0082f55a9e1ec0-aecfa82ae628504f4b1d229bd9030ae1.r13.cf1.rackcdn.com/1940-01-p008-200.pdf The APCO Bulletin, January 1940] – The first official publication showing the 10-codes.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013030055/http://spiffy.ci.uiuc.edu/~kline/Stuff/ten-codes.html Official Ten-Code List Association of Public Communications Officers (APCO)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ten-Code}}
[[Category:Emergency communication]]
[[Category:Fire departments of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Brevity codes]]
[[Category:Encodings]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in the United States]]
[[Category:Telegraphy]]
[[Category:Telecommunications-related introductions in 1937]]