In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-72 means "Brush Fire" or "Vehicle Fire". It is used by officers, dispatchers, and fire units to report fires involving grass, brush, wildland areas, or vehicles, enabling rapid and coordinated emergency response while protecting life, property, and the environment.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Dispatch: "Unit 11, 10-72 reported on Highway 45, vehicle fully involved."
- Officer/Fire Unit: "10-4, dispatch, en route with suppression units and EMS standby."
In this exchange, dispatch informs responders about a brush or vehicle fire. Using 10-72 ensures that the appropriate units are dispatched, including fire suppression teams, law enforcement for traffic control, and emergency medical services if injuries are possible.
Operational Purpose
10-72 is critical for quickly managing non-structure fires that can spread rapidly or pose hazards to motorists, pedestrians, or nearby properties. Prompt reporting allows dispatch to allocate resources efficiently, establish perimeters, and prevent escalation into larger incidents such as wildfires or multi-vehicle accidents.
This code is commonly used for vehicle fires on roadways, brush or grass fires along highways or rural areas, and controlled or uncontrolled fires in open spaces that require immediate attention.
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-72 ensures that all responding units maintain situational awareness and safety. Units may report location with 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, or indicate temporary unavailability with 10-6. Coordinated communication helps manage traffic, protect bystanders, and facilitate suppression and cleanup operations safely.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies differentiate between brush fires and vehicle fires for reporting and resource allocation. Local protocols may require additional details, such as fire size, location hazards, traffic conditions, or involvement of hazardous materials, to ensure proper tactical deployment and safety measures.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-72 with phrases such as:
- "Vehicle fire reported."
- "Brush or grass fire detected."
- "Emergency fire response required for non-structure fire."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-72 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-70 (fire report), and 10-71 (structure fire). Together, these codes support coordinated, safe, and effective response to brush and vehicle fire incidents.