In APCO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials 10-codes, 10-90 means "Bank Alarm", "Emergency Alarm", or "Silent Alarm". It is used by officers, dispatchers, or security personnel to indicate that an alarm has been triggered, requiring immediate response to a potential robbery, security breach, or emergency situation.
Here’s how it might be used in a real-world scenario:
- Officer: "Dispatch, unit 6, 10-90 at Main Street Bank, silent alarm activated."
- Dispatch: "10-4, unit 6 noted, all available units respond and secure perimeter."
In this exchange, the officer communicates that an emergency alarm has been triggered. Using 10-90 ensures dispatch can coordinate an immediate response, alert additional units, and manage the situation to protect civilians and officers.
Operational Purpose
10-90 is essential for rapid deployment to potential emergency situations. Whether it is a bank alarm, a building security alert, or a silent alarm, reporting this code ensures timely response, situational awareness, and proper allocation of law enforcement resources.
This code is commonly used in situations such as:
- Bank or financial institution alarm activations
- Triggered emergency or silent alarms in commercial or residential buildings
- Suspicious activity or attempted break-ins requiring immediate response
- Coordinating rapid officer deployment to secure the area and protect civilians
Officer Safety And Coordination
Declaring 10-90 ensures dispatch, responding units, and security teams are aware of the urgency and location of the alarm. Units may report location with 10-20, acknowledge instructions with 10-4, request backup using 10-74, or indicate arrival with 10-23. Proper communication minimizes response time, reduces risk, and maximizes situational control.
Variations And Agency Practices
Some agencies differentiate between audible alarms, silent alarms, or panic alarms, with each requiring specific response protocols. Local procedures may define evacuation steps, secure perimeter requirements, reporting formats, and coordination with security or emergency management teams.
Plain-Language Alternatives
Agencies emphasizing plain-language communication may replace 10-90 with phrases such as:
- "Bank alarm triggered at location."
- "Emergency alarm activated, units respond."
- "Silent alarm reported, secure perimeter and assess threat."
Related 10-Codes
Codes commonly associated with 10-90 include 10-4 (acknowledgment), 10-20 (location), 10-23 (arrived on scene/standby), 10-74 (assist/backup requested), and 10-76 (en route/responding). Together, these codes ensure a coordinated, timely, and safe response to alarm situations.