Emergency Services Terminology

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Call Priority

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An assignment given to a call based on its urgency. High-priority calls need an immediate response; low-priority calls can afford to wait.

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Cardinal Directions

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The use of North, South, East, and West to determine a location.

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Exigence

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An urgent need or demand; an emergency.

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Officer Safety

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A broad term used to describe situations or scenarios that may pose a threat to a first responder.

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SWAT

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Special Weapons and Tactics unit that can be called upon in unusually dangerous situations, such as hostages, heavily armed subjects, etc.

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10-Code

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A numerical code, usually starting with ten, followed by a number. The code is used in place of words.

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Phonetic Alphabet

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Easily understood words assigned to each letter of the alphabet.

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Telecommunicator

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Public safety dispatcher or 911 operator who receives and responds to requests for assistance.

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911

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A universal emergency telephone number used in the United States to access emergency services.

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Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)

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A facility that receives emergency calls and dispatches services.