Ten-code: Difference between revisions

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While ten-codes were intended to be a terse, concise, and standardized system, the proliferation of different meanings can render them useless in situations when officers from different agencies and jurisdictions need to communicate.

In the fall of 2005, responding to inter-organizational communication problems during the rescue operations after [[Hurricane Katrina]], the United States [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) discouraged the use of ten-codes and other codes due to their wide variation in meaning.<ref>[http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=19&id=26605 The End of the Ten-Code?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722201256/http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=19&id=26605|date=2009-07-22}}. Tim Dees, Officer.com, 9 November 2005</ref><ref>[http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/article_5e02f577-c15d-5848-89b8-3f03ea7da3b5.html?mode=print 10-4 no more?]. Megan Scott, asap (AP), 23 November 2005</ref> The [[Department of Homeland Security]]'s SAFECOM program, established in response to communication problems experienced during the [[September 11 attacks]] also advises local agencies on how and why to transition to plain language,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf|title=Plain Language Guide|work=SAFECOM program|publisher=Department of Homeland Security|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527234725/http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/5945AFE3-ADA9-4189-83B0-4D8218D0CA2F/0/PlainLanguageGuide.pdf|archive-date=2010-05-27|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-01-23}}</ref> and their use is expressly forbidden in the nationally standardized [[Incident Command System]], as is the use of other codes.<ref name="nimsfaq">Federal Emergency Management Agency. ''NIMS Frequently Asked Questions''. Retrieved on 2014-12-01 from {{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/nims-frequently-asked-questions|title=NIMS Frequently Asked Questions &#124; FEMA.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223190939/http://www.fema.gov/nims-frequently-asked-questions|archive-date=2014-12-23|url-status=livedead|access-date=2014-12-02}}.</ref>

APCO International stated in 2012 that plain speech communications over public safety radio systems is preferred over the traditional 10-Codes and dispatch signals.<ref>[http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html#plainspeech APCO position statement on Plain Speech in Public Safety Communications] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509005027/http://www.apcointl.org/advocacy/position-statements.html|date=2012-05-09}}</ref> Nineteen states had changed to plain English by the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language/|title=Maine police dropping 10-code, switching to plain language|last=Mack|first=Sharon Kiley|date=January 1, 2010|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118082538/http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1984858-Maine-police-dropping-10-code-switching-to-plain-language|archive-date=January 18, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2011}}, ten-codes remained in common use in many areas, but were increasingly being phased out in favor of plain language.<ref name="plain" />