Re: 911:: Ten Code versus Plain Talk

[Guest guest]

We eliminated 10 codes a few years ago.

As far as 10-4 v. copy. To me that doesn't matter, what should be included is

an echo of the transmission.

Cliff Cernek

Cresskill PD Communications

Cresskill, NJ

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/22/2000 2:56:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jckillian@... writes:

<< To what extent are departments abandoning " Ten Code " dispatching in favor

of

" Plain Talk " ? >>

Our Department no longer uses Ten codes for dispatching. We use plain

language on Fire/Ems and Signals for Police.

Kristy Rohm

Supervisor, Clayton Co 911

boro, Ga.

NitePrey2@...

[Guest guest]

I agree. I think codes are too limiting in the descriptiveness. It never fails

that if I give an officer a code they are going to call me back and ask for more

information or for me to clarify. If I'm going to have to turn around and

explain an already existing code, aren't I wasting my time? If I give that

plain talk description right off the bat both parties are better off from the

beginning and we avoid this ambiguity.

Charlottesville, Va Fire Dept.- plain talk

Fluvanna County Sheriff's Office- 10 codes

[Guest guest]

What's the difference between " 10-4 " and " copy " ? They are both using two

syllables. Plus, " 10-4 " can be used in many different ways - to say " I

copy " or " I'm clear " or " Yes " . You said counted 16 times in one minute the

use of phrase " 10-4 " . Would it be better to hear 16 times in one minute the

use of word " copy " ? I'm not trying to be argumentative, but this particular

example is not a very good one.

If sixteen officers changed status with the dispatcher, then of course you

would hear 16 different acknowledgements. I don't know if this was the case

though. It could have been a case of poor traffic management, rather than

abuse of the phrase " 10-4 " .

Now for using 10 codes versus plain language to dispatch calls, I personally

prefer plain language. Everyone knows what you are talking about. We DO

have special codes for " Hey, we need to tell you something important but we

don't want your suspect there listening to what we are telling you. Please

secure your mic. " Now THAT is extra verbage...

annette hallmark

ahallmark@...

<<snip>>

I prefer

the Air Force or NASA method of saying, " Copy " at the end of transmission.

How about you? Radio time is too valuable to waste on unnecessary verbage.

[Guest guest]

I was in the Air Force when we did away with the 10 codes in the late

70's. Never missed it (and I spent 15 years more in the AF police after

that). I now use ten codes dispatching for Fayetteville police and

fire. I don't mind it, but it's not better than plain speech. Just

more stuff to remember when training.

EJ

Fayetteville Communications

>This is a web form response sent in by

>john killian jckillian@... on Monday,

>May 22, 2000 at 14:53:52

>Message: To what extent are departments

>abandoning " Ten Code " dispatching in favor of

> " Plain Talk " ? I was pleased to see that some

>are eliminating the " Ten-Four " only. I was

>listening to a conversation between a

>dispatcher and another Saturday, within one

>minute i arrived at a count of 16 times " 10-4 "

>was spoken. I prefer the Air Force or NASA

>method of saying, " Copy " at the end of

>transmission. How about you? Radio time is

>too valuable to waste on unnecessary

>verbiage. This is my opinion and does not

>reflect any other.

[Guest guest]

I prefer plain English over 10 codes. This way there is no misunderstanding

of the call. It also helps when the neighboring agencies are monitoring and

close by that they also know what's happening.

As far as answering with 10-4, I have to admit I get tired of doing it myself

sometimes and try to break it up with alternating with 10-4, copy, and

affirmative. I only echo the transmissions on serious calls, pursuits,

chases, descriptions, etc., and always on locations.

[Guest guest]

At 05:04 PM 05/22/2000 -0400, you wrote:

>We eliminated 10 codes a few years ago.

>

>As far as 10-4 v. copy. To me that doesn't matter, what should be included is

>an echo of the transmission.

>

>

>Cliff Cernek

>Cresskill PD Communications

>Cresskill, NJ

I agree with this to an extent--but not on everything. I know some

dispatchers who repeat EVERYTHING a crew says back. The only times I echo

something is when A) there's a high-priority call, like a robbery, pursuit,

shooting, etc, or when it's hard to copy the radio, but I'm *pretty*

sure I know what was said (that way, if I'm wrong, they can correct

me). To echo back every transmission just wastes too much air time, I think.

As far as using 10-4, I use it, but usually I use it as meaning " yes " , not

" copy " . It's probably just that I'm not used to it (since no one around

where I work does it), but I can't stand it when someone just says

" copy " . I can't really explain it--I just don't like it. I like to end

just about everything by giving the time. This signifies to the other

crews that whatever conversation was taking place has ended, and the radio

is available for someone else--which should help to eliminate crews walking

on each other. I know some of the officers I work with have said the same

thing--they usually wait to hear the dispatcher say the time before they

start talking, so they know they aren't cutting in front of someone else.

I know everyone does it differently--this is just my preferred method.

Take care,

Guthrie

--------------------------------------

Communications Officer

Trotwood, OH PD

http://www.trotwood.org/police

--------------------------------------

Dispatcher

Brookville, OH PD

--------------------------------------

Police Officer

Township (Montgomery Co, OH) PD

http://www.cmplus.com/public/ptpd.htm

--------------------------------------

mailto:cwguth@...

[Guest guest]

Sorry guys, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I happen to like the ten codes.

They all have their purpose, ie, if you're running someone for an officer and

he has a warrant, we clear the officer back advising that his subj has 10-49.

Which means we have confidential info on subj, advise when you can copy.

Saying 10-49 is a heck of a lot easier and shorter than the alternative.

Terry

[Guest guest]

If radio time is too valuable, then wouldn't the 10 codes eliminate verbage

(is that verbal garbage?)

Lyn

magik@...

911:: Ten Code versus Plain Talk

Radio time is too valuable to waste on unnecessary verbage. This is my

opinion and does not reflect any other.

[Guest guest]

>Sorry guys, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I happen to like the ten

codes.

They all have their purpose

I like the 10 codes also, they're great for brevity. I worked for an

agency that tried to go to plain talk... soon reverted to using several

of the 10 codes...

It the situation arises where plain talk works better.. I talk...

But for smooth operation... give me the codes.

Weintraut

[Guest guest]

Yeah, me too. I grumbled and growled a lot when I had to learn them, but as

chatty as I am, I'd be on the radio for 10 minutes explaining a loud music

complaint.

Lyn

whose love of the English language has been reduced to numbers

magik@...

> >Sorry guys, maybe I'm in the minority here, but I happen to like the ten

> codes.

> They all have their purpose

>

> I like the 10 codes also, >

>

[Guest guest]

Yup...I love using the ten codes...for example...gotta call once of a w/m

masturbating (can I say that here...heheheheh?) in front of a local 24 hr

mini mart.

Only with ten codes could I dispatch it as a w/m, black trench coat...doing

10-37

(sex crime) to himself...and the officers " got the picture " without me

going-on about it....they ALL KNEW what I meant...<<<<grin...anda wink>>>>

hehehe

we use the codes...they work for us...intermingled with appropriate english

language...

Cin in good ole Ohio

happy day, be safe.....

[Guest guest]

The thread that won't die. I've used both codes and plain

language (and the transition). Well, my vote and reasons

haven't changed -- Plain language. Until radios are perfectly

clear all the time, plain language is better.

'I'M OUT WITH A TEN-FIF<crackle> AT WEST AND BROAD

Ten-fifteen? Fifty? Fifty-five?

TEN-NINE <repeat in our old code>

Except he heard only 'Ten' and a horn honking but figured that

it was 'Ten-four' because that's what he expected. Better is:

'I'M OUT WITH A TWO CAR <crackle>SION AT WEST AND

BROAD'

'COLLISION AT WEST AND BROAD. DO YOU NEED

RESCUE?'

When a unit hears 'Ten-four', the assumption is that dispatch

heard the last transmission. Except that the '10-4' may have

been directed at another unit. I prefer plain language and an

echo as acknowledgment. Radio time is too precious to

waste on repeats and misunderstandings.

Calls occur randomly... all at the same time.

R J 'Tree' Greenwood

tree.greenwood@...

doctree@... on 911 Console

Falls Church City & Fauquier County, VA

___________________________________________________________________

Get smart - get your FREE email at http://email.looksmart.com

[Guest guest]

---My great online peer and friend, " Tree " Greenwood,

doctree@... wrote:

> The thread that won't die. I've used both codes and

> plain

> language (and the transition). Well, my vote and

> reasons

> haven't changed -- Plain language. Until radios are

> perfectly

> clear all the time, plain language is better.

How about if we all agree to disagree, if that's the

case? <grin>

I believe the original (most recent) initiating

inquiry was " which agencies are considering changing

from 10-Codes? " ... not: Which do y'all prefer, on a

personal basis?

<bigger grin>

=====

Happy to be here, proud to serve.

Olmstead

http://www.gryeyes.com

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/24/00 11:11:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

doctree@... writes:

<< When a unit hears 'Ten-four', the assumption is that dispatch

heard the last transmission. Except that the '10-4' may have

been directed at another unit. >>

-- this is why i rarely acknowledge with a 10-4 -- i usually say the unit #

of whoever i'm talking to -- just my 2 cents --kim

[Guest guest]

To: <911consoleegroups>

Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 4:40 AM

Subject: Re: 911:: Ten Code versus Plain Talk

> Yup...I love using the ten codes...for example...gotta call once of a w/m

> masturbating (can I say that here...heheheheh?) in front of a local 24 hr

> mini mart.

> Only with ten codes could I dispatch it as a w/m, black trench

coat...doing

> 10-37

> (sex crime) to himself

-------------------------------------------------------------

Our dpt uses 10-60 for indecent exposure, so I dispatch this type of call as

a10-60 Active

We get quite a bit of this on the interstate with guys doing their thing

pulling up beside the ladies,

Recently our Det. Captain was close on one of these and just for the heck of

it did a felony traffic stop

on the guy, talk about wilting on the vine

[Guest guest]

.....wilting on the vine is right...ROFLMAO....hheheeheheh..I could come up

(hehe) with a few more...but best not here...LOL...thanks for the reply...

only in our job would this conversation seem totally normal...;-)

Cin in good ole Ohio

happy day, be safe