Incident Types

AID

Automatic Aid (AA)
Automatic aid, or "auto aid," is when emergency units from a neighboring jurisdiction are dispatched automatically, without a specific request, under a pre-arranged agreement between agencies. This usually means the closest available unit responds, no matter which side of a boundary the incident is on. Unlike mutual aid, which is requested during an incident, automatic aid is built into the dispatch plan ahead of time.

Mutual Aid (MU)
Mutual aid is an agreement between agencies to send help across jurisdictional boundaries when requested. "Mutual" refers to the two-way nature of the arrangement: each agency agrees to assist the other. No agency can staff every day for its largest possible incident or busiest possible day, so public safety organizations rely on their neighbors during major emergencies or periods of unusually high demand. Unlike automatic aid, mutual aid is requested as needed during an incident rather than built into everyday dispatch.

Strike Team/Task Force (ST)
A strike team is a group of resources of the same kind and type working under a single leader, such as five wildland engines led by a chief officer. A task force is similar but combines different types of resources for a specific mission, such as two engines, a water tender, and a bulldozer. Grouping resources this way keeps large-scale incidents manageable. Incident commanders direct a handful of team leaders instead of dozens of individual units, which keeps each supervisor's "span of control" to a workable size.

AIRCRAFT

Aircraft Crash (AC)
A report that an aircraft has crashed or may have crashed.

Aircraft Emergency (AE)
A broad category for aircraft emergencies in flight or on the ground, such as a fire aboard a parked aircraft or a medical emergency on an arriving flight. Some agencies use this single type for all aircraft-related incidents.

Aircraft Emergency Standby (AES)
An inbound aircraft has reported a mechanical problem, such as engine trouble or a landing gear malfunction, and a difficult landing is possible. Emergency crews are sent to wait at the airport in case they're needed when the aircraft lands.

Landing Zone (LZ)
Crews are sent to set up a safe landing area for a helicopter, most often an air ambulance transporting a patient to a hospital. Tasks include securing the area, alerting the pilot to power lines and other hazards, and providing lighting at night.

ALARM

AED Alarm (AED)
An alarm indicating that an AED cabinet connected to a monitoring system has been opened. Because the AED may have been retrieved for a sudden cardiac arrest, agencies typically send medical units to the location.

Alarm (OA)
A general alarm type used when the kind of alarm is unknown or doesn't fit another alarm category, such as an alarm activation reported without further details.

Carbon Dioxide (CDA)
A carbon dioxide (CO2) detector has detected elevated levels of the gas, often from a leaking tank used for beverage systems in restaurants and bars. High levels of CO2 can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. This is different from carbon monoxide, which is coded as Carbon Monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide (CMA)
A carbon monoxide (CO) detector has detected elevated levels of this odorless, colorless gas. Crews typically check the building with gas meters to find the source and make sure it's safe.

Fire Alarm (FA)
A building's fire alarm system has been activated, but the specific trigger (such as a smoke detector, sprinkler flow, or pull station) wasn't reported. Crews typically respond to investigate and confirm whether there is a fire.

Manual Alarm (MA)
Someone has activated a fire alarm by hand, such as by pulling a manual pull station inside a building or using a street-corner fire alarm box.

Medical Alarm (MEA)
A personal medical alarm has been activated, such as when someone presses a button on a pendant or wall unit, and a monitoring company has requested help. Details about the person's condition may be limited.

Smoke Detector (SD)
A smoke detector connected to a monitored alarm system has activated. The cause may be a fire, or something harmless such as cooking smoke, steam, or dust. Crews typically respond to investigate.

Trouble Alarm (TRBL)
A fire alarm or sprinkler system is reporting a problem with itself, such as a power loss or low water pressure, rather than a fire. Crews may respond to check the system, since a faulty system may not work during an actual fire.

Waterflow Alarm (WFA)
Water is flowing in a building's fire sprinkler system, such as from a sprinkler head activated by heat or from a broken pipe. Crews typically respond to check for fire and limit water damage.

ASSIST

Flooding (FL)
Water is flooding a building or area, such as from a broken pipe, overflowing drain, or heavy rain. Crews may help stop the source, remove water, or divert it to limit damage.

Ladder Request (LR)
Another agency, often law enforcement, has requested a fire department ladder, such as to reach a rooftop while searching for a person or conducting an investigation.

Lift Assist (LA)
Help for a person who isn't injured but can't get up on their own, often after a fall, because of limited mobility.

Police Assist (PA)
Law enforcement has requested fire department help, such as tools, lighting, or forcible entry.

Public Service (PS)
A catch-all type for lower-priority, non-emergency calls. Its use varies by agency, but it commonly covers things like a leaking hydrant, a low-hanging sign, or an appliance problem. Even the classic "cat stuck in a tree" call would likely be coded as Public Service.

Welfare Check (WC)
A request to check on someone's well-being, such as a person who can't be reached by family or hasn't been seen in some time.

EXPLOSION

Explosion (EX)
A report of an explosion, such as from a gas leak, fireworks, or a chemical reaction. The cause is often unknown at first, and some reports turn out to be loud noises from another source.

Transformer Explosion (TE)
A report of an explosion involving an electrical transformer, such as one mounted on a utility pole or in a ground-level box. These often cause a loud bang, a bright flash, and a local power outage. The utility company is usually notified to make repairs.

FIRE

Appliance Fire (AF)
A fire reportedly limited to an appliance, such as an oven or clothes dryer.

Chimney Fire (CHIM)
A fire reportedly limited to the inside of a chimney, flue, or stovepipe, usually caused by built-up soot or creosote catching fire. Crews check that the fire hasn't spread into the surrounding structure.

Commercial Fire (CF)
A fire reported in a commercial building, such as an office building, retail store, or warehouse.

Confirmed Structure Fire (WSF)
A fire in a building that crews on scene have confirmed is actively burning (a "working fire").

Confirmed Vegetation Fire (WVEG)
A fire in grass, brush, or other vegetation that crews on scene have confirmed is actively burning (a "working fire").

Controlled Burn/Prescribed Fire (CB)
A fire set on purpose under carefully controlled conditions to clear dry vegetation and other fuel, reducing the risk of larger wildfires later. Smoke from these burns may be visible from a distance.

Electrical Fire (ELF)
A fire involving electrical equipment or wiring that may still be energized. These fires need special handling because water can conduct electricity.

Extinguished Fire (EF)
A fire reported to be already out. Crews respond to confirm it's fully extinguished and won't reignite or spread.

Farm Machinery Fire (FMF)
A fire involving farm equipment, such as a tractor, combine, or baler. These fires can spread quickly to nearby crops, hay, or dry fields.

Fire (FIRE)
A general type for reported fires with no additional detail.

Full Assignment (FULL)
A group of fire units, such as two engines, a ladder truck, and a battalion chief, dispatched together to a more complex incident. The exact makeup and use vary by agency. It generally means the incident needed more than a single unit, but it doesn't indicate what type of incident it is, such as a fire, collision, or rescue.

Illegal Fire (IF)
Open burning that violates local regulations, such as burning household garbage.

Marine Fire (MF)
A fire aboard a boat or other vessel. May also include fires on piers or other marina structures.

Outside Fire (OF)
A broad category for typically smaller fires outdoors, such as a burning fence, tree, highway median, or peat.

Pole Fire (PF)
A fire involving a utility pole or the equipment mounted on it, such as power lines, transformers, or street lights.

Refuse/Garbage Fire (GF)
A fire involving trash or discarded material, typically a dumpster, trash can, or debris pile.

Residential Fire (RF)
A fire reported in a residential building, such as a single-family home, apartment, or condominium.

Structure Fire (SF)
A fire reported in a building.

Tank Fire (TF)
A fire involving a storage tank, such as one holding fuel, propane, or other flammable liquids or gases.

Tunnel Fire (TNLF)
A fire inside a road, rail, or utility tunnel. Tunnel fires are especially dangerous because smoke and heat are trapped, making access and evacuation difficult.

Vegetation Fire (VEG)
A fire in an area of grass, brush, or other vegetation. Also commonly called a brush fire, wildland fire, or grass fire.

Vehicle Fire (VF)
A fire involving a motor vehicle. Also commonly called a car fire or auto fire.

Working Commercial Fire (WCF)
A fire in a commercial building that crews on scene have confirmed is actively burning.

Working Fire (WF)
An active fire confirmed by crews on scene, where the type of fire isn't specified. "Working fire" is the fire service term for a fire that is actively burning and requires crews to go to work, as opposed to a reported fire that may turn out to be minor or a false alarm.

Working Residential Fire (WRF)
A fire in a residential building that crews on scene have confirmed is actively burning.

HAZARD

Bomb Threat (BT)
A threat to detonate an explosive device, whether or not a device is known to exist. Fire and EMS units often stage, or wait at a safe distance, while law enforcement investigates.

Electrical Hazard (EE)
An incident involving an electrical hazard, such as sparking wires or outlets, or equipment that may be energized.

Emergency (EM)
A general type for a possible emergency where additional details were not provided.

Emergency Response (ER)
A general type for an emergency with no additional detail, such as a "still alarm" (a report received directly by a fire station instead of through 911) or a "station walk-in" (someone coming to a fire station in person for help).

Evacuation (EVAC)
People are being ordered or advised to leave an area because of a threat to safety, such as an approaching wildfire, flooding, a hazardous materials release, or a gas leak.

Hazardous Condition (HC)
A catch-all type for situations that pose a potential hazard. Its use varies by agency, but it commonly covers things like a small fuel leak or a low-hanging wire. Even a "snake in the house" call could be coded as Hazardous Condition.

Hazmat Response (HMR)
An incident involving the release or potential release of hazardous materials (hazmat), such as chemical, biological, or radiological substances. Examples include spills, leaks, illegally dumped hazardous waste, and industrial accidents.

Response (RSPN)
A general type for an emergency or non-emergency response where additional details were not provided.

Tree Down (TD)
A fallen tree creating a hazard, typically one that has fallen onto a building or across a roadway.

Unstable Structure (US)
A building or other structure that may be at risk of collapse, such as from a structural defect, overloading (like heavy snow on a roof or an overcrowded deck), or damage from a fire, vehicle crash, earthquake, or storm. If part of the structure has already fallen, the incident is typically coded as Structural Collapse.

Water Emergency (WE)
A significant water problem, such as a water main break or major leak.

INVESTIGATION

Fire Investigation (AI)
An investigation into the cause of a fire, typically after it's been put out, to determine whether it was accidental or intentionally set (arson).

Fireworks Investigation (FWI)
A response to a complaint about fireworks, such as illegal fireworks or use in a restricted area or during high fire danger.

Hazmat Investigation (HMI)
A response to check out a possible hazardous materials situation, such as an abandoned drum, a chemical odor, or an unknown leaking fluid. If a hazardous release is confirmed, it may be upgraded to a Hazmat Response.

Investigation (INV)
A general type for calls where crews are sent to check out a report or unusual condition.

Odor Investigation (OI)
A response to find the source of an unusual odor, such as a burning or chemical smell. A natural gas odor is typically coded as a Gas Leak.

Smoke Investigation (SI)
A response to find the source of smoke that someone has seen or smelled, such as smoke in the area or the smell of smoke in a building.

LOCKOUT

Commercial Lockout (CL)
A response to get into a locked business or commercial space, typically when waiting could create a risk, such as equipment or processes left running.

Lockout (LO)
A response to get into a locked space, typically when waiting could put someone or something at risk. Routine lockouts without an urgent risk are usually handled by a locksmith.

Residential Lockout (RL)
A response to get into a locked home or interior room, typically when waiting could create a risk, such as a young child inside or food left cooking on the stove.

Vehicle Lockout (VL)
A response to get into a locked vehicle, typically when waiting could create a risk, such as a young child or pet left inside.

MARINE

Boater Assist (BAS)
Non-emergency help for a boat or its passengers, such as a vessel that is disabled, out of fuel, or aground, with no injuries or immediate danger reported.

Boating Accident (BAC)
A collision or accident involving a boat or other watercraft, such as a crash with another vessel, a dock, or an object, or someone thrown overboard. Injuries may be involved.

Marine Medical Emergency (MME)
A medical emergency aboard a boat or other vessel, or at a marina or pier. Crews may need to reach the patient by water or meet the vessel at shore.

Vessel Sinking (VS)
A report of a boat or other vessel that is sinking or taking on water.

MEDICAL

Community Paramedicine (CP)
A non-emergency visit by a paramedic, such as a home check-in after a hospital stay or help managing a chronic condition. Community paramedicine programs expand paramedics' role beyond emergency response to improve access to care and reduce avoidable 911 calls and ER visits.

CPR Needed (CPR)
A cardiac arrest where bystander CPR could save a life. PulsePoint alerts nearby CPR-trained users who are close enough to help before emergency responders arrive.

Interfacility Transfer (IFT)
An ambulance transport moving a patient between hospitals or other healthcare facilities, such as to a hospital that offers specialized care.

Medical Emergency (ME)
A general type used for nearly all medical incidents.

Multi Casualty (MCI)
A multi-casualty incident (often shortened to MCI), sometimes called a mass casualty incident, is an incident with significant casualties (e.g., multiple-vehicle collision, train derailment).

NATURAL DISASTER

Earthquake (EQ)
An informational type indicating that an earthquake has occurred in the region.

Flood Warning (FLW)
An informational type indicating that flooding is imminent, expected, or occurring, typically based on a warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Landslide / Mudslide (SLD)
Earth, rock, or mud sliding down a slope, often after heavy rain, an earthquake, or a wildfire that has stripped away vegetation. Slides can block roads, damage buildings, or trap people.

Lightning Strike (LST)
A lightning strike on a person, building, tree, or other object. Strikes can cause injuries, start fires, or damage electrical systems.

Tornado Warning (TOW)
An informational type indicating that a tornado is imminent, expected, or occurring, typically based on a warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Tsunami Warning (TSW)
An informational type indicating that a tsunami capable of causing widespread coastal flooding is imminent, expected, or occurring, typically based on a warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Weather Incident (WX)
A general type for weather-related emergencies, such as storm damage, high winds, or hail.

OTHER

Burn Permit (BP)
A permitted outdoor burn, typically of dead vegetation on a residential property. These are logged so that smoke reported in the area can be matched to an approved burn.

Community Activity (CA)
Crews assigned to a community event, such as a race, parade, or street fair.

Drone Deployment (DD)
A drone has been launched to support emergency crews, such as to get an aerial view of a fire, search for a missing person, or assess damage.

Fire Watch (FW)
Crews assigned to stay at the scene after a large fire, sometimes for hours, to make sure it doesn't reignite and to handle any other hazards or related reports that come up.

Move-up/Cover (MC)
Units relocated to a different station or location to cover an area whose usual crews are currently assigned to incidents. This keeps response times balanced across the region.

Notification (NO)
An informational type used to share messages with on-duty crews, such as nearby police activity, a hospital diversion (an emergency room temporarily not accepting ambulances), or a road closure or detour.

Pre-alert (PREA)
An early notification sent to on-duty crews before full call details are available, so they can begin preparing to respond. The incident is typically updated to a more specific type and location once more information is known, or canceled if no response is needed.

Special Assignment (SA)
Crews or personnel assigned to a task outside their normal emergency response, such as supporting a planned operation or special detail.

Standby (STBY)
Crews positioned in advance at a location so they can respond quickly if needed, such as at a sporting event or during a high-risk activity.

Test (TEST)
A test generated by the dispatch system. No actual emergency is involved.

Training (TRNG)
Crews assigned to training activities, such as drills or exercises. No actual emergency is involved.

RESCUE

Animal Rescue (AR)
A response to an animal that is trapped, entangled, or otherwise in danger.

Backcountry Rescue (BCR)
A rescue in a remote area away from roads, such as a hiker who is injured or stranded on a trail or in the wilderness, where the person's location is generally known. These rescues can take hours and may involve off-road vehicles, helicopters, or crews on foot. If the person must be found first, the incident is typically coded as Search and Rescue.

Cliff Rescue (CR)
A rescue of someone stranded or injured on a cliff or steep terrain, typically using ropes and specialized equipment to reach and remove them safely.

Confined Space Rescue (CSR)
A rescue of someone trapped or injured inside a confined space, such as a tank, silo, manhole, or underground vault, where entry and exit are limited.

Elevator Rescue (ELR)
A response to free people trapped in a stalled elevator.

Elevator/Escalator Rescue (EER)
A response to free people trapped in a stalled elevator or caught in an escalator.

Ice Rescue (IR)
A rescue of a person or animal that has fallen through ice or is in danger in icy or freezing water.

Industrial Accident (IA)
An accident at an industrial facility, such as a fall, burn, or someone trapped in machinery.

Rescue (RES)
A general type for rescue operations that don't fit a more specific rescue type or where details are unknown.

Rope Rescue (RR)
A rescue using ropes and rigging systems to reach and remove someone from a high or low location, such as a building, tower, or ravine.

Search and Rescue (SAR)
A search for a person who is lost or missing, often in a remote or wilderness area, followed by a rescue once they're found. Searches may involve ground teams, dogs, drones, or aircraft, and can last for hours or days.

Structural Collapse (SC)
A response to a partial or full building collapse, such as from construction activity, an earthquake, an explosion, or severe weather.

Technical Rescue (TR)
A general type for complex rescues that need specialized training and equipment, such as rope, confined space, trench, or structural collapse rescues.

Trench Rescue (TNR)
A rescue of someone trapped in a collapsed trench or excavation. Crews brace the walls to prevent further collapse before digging the person out.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
A response by specialized search and rescue teams trained for major incidents, such as collapsed buildings after an earthquake or explosion.

Vehicle in Water (VIW)
A vehicle that has gone into a body of water, such as a lake, river, canal, or flooded roadway.

Water Rescue (WR)
A general type for water rescues, such as a swimmer in distress, a person swept away in fast-moving water, or people stranded by floodwater.

UTILITY

Gas Leak (GAS)
A report of escaping gas or signs of a leak, such as the smell of natural gas or a hissing sound. Crews typically secure the area and support the gas utility, which may be called to stop the leak.

Pipeline Emergency (PE)
A leak, fire, or other failure involving a pipeline that carries natural gas, petroleum, or other hazardous materials.

Powerline Emergency (PLE)
A safety concern involving utility lines, such as a low-hanging or downed power line.

Sheared Hydrant (SH)
A fire hydrant has been broken off, usually when a vehicle hits it, and water is flowing freely. Crews respond to shut off the water at a nearby valve.

Utility Hazard (UH)
A general type for hazards involving utilities, such as gas, water, or electric service, when the specific problem isn't known. It may be a gas leak, downed wires, a broken water line, or damaged utility equipment.

Wires Arcing (WA)
A report of power lines arcing, where electricity jumps between wires or to the ground, often with sparks, flashes, or a buzzing sound.

Wires Down (WD)
A report of power lines that have fallen to the ground. Always stay away from downed lines and assume they are live.

Wires Down/Arcing (WDA)
A report of power lines that are down, arcing, or both, when the details aren't clear.

VEHICLE

Collision Involving Pedestrian (TCP)
A vehicle collision involving a pedestrian or cyclist. These are often more serious because pedestrians and cyclists have little protection.

Collision Involving Structure (TCS)
A vehicle that has crashed into a building or other structure.

Collision Involving Train (TCT)
A train that has collided with a vehicle, pedestrian, or object.

Expanded Traffic Collision (TCE)
A traffic collision with a higher likelihood of serious injuries, multiple patients, or a complex rescue. Examples include high-speed crashes, collisions involving several vehicles, people trapped who need to be cut out (extrication), or a vehicle that has rolled over or left the roadway. More units are typically sent, sometimes with specialized equipment.

Railroad/Train Emergency (RTE)
A general type for emergencies involving trains, such as a fire or derailment.

Traffic Collision (TC)
A vehicle that has collided with another vehicle, an animal, road debris, or other object.