Croton Responding Codes

[x635 4,066]

I heard Croton FD dispatched to a commercial alarm at the Metro North Croton-Harmon Locomotive repair facilty.

I wasn't paying attention to the first Engine sign on, but I think it was Engine 119 and they said "Engine 119 responding code three"....

Rescue 18 then signed on and stated "Rescue 18 responding code 1". A few minutes later, Tower Ladder 44 stated they were responding "Code 2".

Is this related to the typical use of warning light and sirens, or do the codes mean something else?

[NOZ45ZLE 42]

Ussally means how much personell they are responding with

[x635 4,066]

So Code 1 would be 1 Interior FF, etc.....?

[Tanker 10eng 140]

Yes.... and E119 responded code 1...

[x635 4,066]

Yes.... and E119 responded code 1...

Is the apparatus operator and officer included in the count?

[x4093k 654]

Yes.... and E119 responded code 1...

No, Engine 119 rolled Code 3 to the AFA at Croton Harmon today. Tanker 10 rolled 0! LOL

[Tanker 10eng 140]

No, Engine 119 rolled Code 3 to the AFA at Croton Harmon today. Tanker 10 rolled 0! LOL

seeing how I was the officer on E119 and I contacted 60 with code 1, I think I and right...

Tanker 10 remained in quarters as it was not dispatched...

[x4093k 654]

seeing how I was the officer on E119 and I contacted 60 with code 1, I think I and right...

Tanker 10 remained in quarters as it was not dispatched...

My bad, I saw there were 3 guys in the truck so I figured that's how the code thing went. Sowwy!

I knew T10 wasn't dispatched was just busting chops..

[Remember585 815]

The "Code" only applies to Interior personnel, and not the Driver. It used to include the Driver if they are an Interior FF but some felt it shouldn't count. I won't offer my personal feeling on the matter here...

[AFS1970 504]

OK, so no matter if they are a good or bad idea, or what they may or may not say about a specific department of company, what do the codes mean? Also how are they used, do a certain number of a certain code add units to a response (like the FDNY 10-14 Engine)?

[Remember585 815]

OK, so no matter if they are a good or bad idea, or what they may or may not say about a specific department of company, what do the codes mean? Also how are they used, do a certain number of a certain code add units to a response (like the FDNY 10-14 Engine)?

The code means the number of Interior Firefighters on each apparatus, not including the driver. Between this and the use of I Am Responding, an Incident Commander can call for additional resources right away if they feel it is warranted, or can return units knowing one apparatus is packed. (IE for a commercial alarm, the IC can keep one rig coming in to investigate and return others knowing that one rig is well staffed).

Does that make sense?

[Dinosaur 844]

The code means the number of Interior Firefighters on each apparatus, not including the driver. Between this and the use of I Am Responding, an Incident Commander can call for additional resources right away if they feel it is warranted, or can return units knowing one apparatus is packed. (IE for a commercial alarm, the IC can keep one rig coming in to investigate and return others knowing that one rig is well staffed).

Does that make sense?

Absent a system that provides for a common response it makes a lot of sense and is far more proactive than most places that don't do that until they're in way over their heads. Kudos to you for dealing with it!

When are we going to standardize the training for FF in NYS, though? Wouldn't it be nice if everyone called "firefighter" had the same credentials and qualifications????

[mfc2257 464]

Used a similar system in a previous life... When you'd mark up as responding, if you said Engine X is responding, it was implied that you had a full complement of folks on board that met the requirement for the type of job you were going to. If not, you said Engine X is responding "lite with 3" or "lite with 1"... The number being the number of individuals who were qualified for the type of job you were going to. This way the IC while still enroute could determine if he was going to assign or call for additional resources.

[Remember585 815]

When are we going to standardize the training for FF in NYS, though? Wouldn't it be nice if everyone called "firefighter" had the same credentials and qualifications????

[AFS1970 504]

Sort of related to this is a bit of a story.

I heard of one department that had a somewhat secret way of letting members know how many were on board. This was not an official method and to the best of my knowledge the Chiefs were unaware. It was just a clue to other FF's to high tale it to the station if the secret code was not used. I thought it was an innovative way of doing this but the problem with any secret is that in order for it to work, people have to know what it means and if people know what it means those you are keeping the secret will eventually learn the truth. I don't think this is used any more in that department.

This idea was when responding to a call and having less than 4 FF's or (as it was explained to me) less than 4 GOOD FF's the unit signed on the way everyone else did "Engine X responding"

If the unit had a full crew of GOOD FF's the officer would simply insert the word company into the phrase and say "Engine Company X responding"

To most people it would not sound odd and if it did would be taken as a buff thing, not a secret code. The members listening to pagers would know if they heard the word company they were probably not going to the scene.