In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-70 means "Fire Report" or "Fire Alarm". It is used by officers, dispatchers, or first responders to indicate the detection or report of a fire, whether it is a structure fire, vehicle fire, brush fire, or other emergency involving flames, enabling rapid and coordinated response.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 14, 10-70 reported at Pine Street, residential structure fire."
- Officer: "10-4, dispatch, en route with fire suppression units."
In this exchange, the dispatch informs the responding units that a fire has been reported. Using 10-70 ensures that all units and relevant agencies, including fire departments and emergency medical services, are alerted promptly for coordinated action.
Operational Purpose
10-70 is critical for rapid response to fire emergencies, protecting life, property, and the surrounding environment. Prompt reporting allows dispatch to allocate fire suppression resources, notify specialized units, establish perimeters, and provide situational awareness to all responders.
This code is commonly used for residential fires, commercial building fires, vehicle fires, wildland or brush fires, and any situation where flames or smoke pose an immediate threat to public safety.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-70 ensures officers, dispatch, and fire units maintain situational awareness and safety. Units may report location with 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability using 10-6. Proper coordination helps establish safe perimeters, facilitate evacuations, and deploy resources effectively.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies use 10-70 specifically for confirmed active fires, while others may also include fire alarms, smoke detection reports, or fire hazard situations. Local protocols may define the type of information required, priority levels, and coordination with fire suppression or emergency medical services.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-70 with phrases such as:
- "Fire reported at location."
- "Structure or vehicle fire confirmed."
- "Emergency fire response required."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-70 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-71 (structure fire), and 10-72 (brush/vehicle fire). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective fire response operations.