In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-71 means "Structure Fire" or "Building Fire". It is used by officers, dispatchers, and fire units to report an active fire within a building, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, enabling rapid and coordinated emergency response.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 7, 10-71 reported at 345 Elm Street, two-story residential structure."
- Officer/Fire Unit: "10-4, dispatch, en route with suppression and EMS units."
In this exchange, the dispatch alerts responding units about an active structure fire. Using 10-71 ensures all appropriate units—including fire suppression, emergency medical services, and law enforcement for perimeter control—are notified and prepared for immediate action.
Operational Purpose
10-71 is critical for saving lives, protecting property, and coordinating an organized response. Early and accurate reporting allows dispatch to allocate resources efficiently, direct units to staging areas, and provide necessary support such as water supply, ventilation, and evacuation assistance.
This code is commonly used for residential houses, apartments, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, or any structure where fire presents immediate risk to occupants or neighboring properties.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-71 ensures situational awareness and safety for all responders. Units may report location with 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability using 10-6. Coordinated communication is essential for safe entry, establishing perimeters, and supporting evacuation or rescue operations.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies differentiate between confirmed structure fires and alarm reports. Local protocols may require additional details such as the type of building, number of floors, known occupants, presence of hazardous materials, and immediate hazards to ensure proper tactical deployment.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-71 with phrases such as:
- "Building fire reported."
- "Structure fire confirmed at location."
- "Emergency fire response required at structure."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-71 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-70 (fire report), and 10-72 (brush/vehicle fire). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective structural fire response operations.