Transitioning from 10-codes to plain language
Decades ago, law enforcement agencies began to develop their own proprietary "10-code" system for radio communications. But these days, 10-codes can result in miscommunication and confusion when multiple agencies and disciplines respond to an incident. This interoperability challenge has resulted in a push for implementing plain language across agencies for mutual aid events to that various disciplines can effectively share information.
The first step in migrating to plain language radio communications is to assess the environment your agency, jurisdiction or state is working in, and identify potential obstacles and allies.
The Commonwealth of Virginia used to statewide questionanaires to collect input on plain language from the emergency response community. The Commonwealth's Initiative Action Team sent the questionnaires to police chiefs, fire chiefs, sheriff's offices, EMS supervisors, 911 center supervisors, agencies participating in the Statewide Agencies Radio System, and the police department of local universities. The first questionnaire identified which organizations were using plain language strategies, such as reprogramming the CAD systems. The action team used these surveys to identify which implementation strategies could be reasonably applied on a statewide level.
For more information, please visit the SAFECOM communications program of the Department of Homeland Security. www.SAFECOMprogram.gov
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