What Is A Code 4? Firefighter Radio Codes - SConFIRE

In the US, radio codes are universal among emergency medical services (EMS), such as paramedics and firefighters.

Given the radio code, the receiver will know what is happening, the urgency level of the emergency or condition of the patient concerned, and how to respond.

So, what exactly are the different radio codes?

What Are Firefighter Radio Codes?

Firefighter radio codes represent different emergencies, communicated between firefighters and other emergency medical services, such as paramedics.

There are several radio codes, each representing a different level of emergency and how the receiver should acknowledge it.

The radio codes can report that an emergency response is needed, or that the medical situation is under control.

What Is A Code 4?

A Code 4 means that the situation is under control and no further assistance is needed. In other words, there are enough responders on the scene, and that the receiver does not need to send any further personnel or vehicles.

Code 4 also signifies the end of the call.

Code 4 is not widely used by fire departments and emergency medical services, however. Whether it is used or not depends on the department itself and the location.

Many departments prefer to simply use Codes 1, 2, and 3.

For this reason, the person calling a Code 4 must make sure beforehand that the code applies to that department or area.

What Is A Code 3?

A Code 3 means that urgent assistance is needed. Referred to as a “hot response”, Code 3 means that the situation is life-threatening for the patient and that it should be treated as a top priority.

In this case, there might be several casualties on the scene.

All responders should also travel quickly to the scene as soon as possible, using flashing lights and sirens.

Code 3 is high priority and the most urgent of all the radio codes.

What Is A Code 2?

A Code 2 means that there is, or might be, an emergency on the scene. 

Sometimes, a Code 3 can be re-reported as a Code 2 once further assistance arrives and assesses the situation. In this case, the radio message would instruct the receiver to “reduce code”. 

A Code 2 warrants that assistance should be provided, however it does not have to be treated urgently. EMS vehicles can make their way to the scene without using flashing lights and sirens.

A Code 2 is more of a high priority than a Code 1, but not as urgent as a Code 3.

What Is A Code 1?

A Code 1 is referred to as a “cold response”. This means that the situation is of low priority, and that further assistance is not urgently required.

Code 1 is the least urgent of all the emergency radio codes.

However, while Code 1 is the lowest priority of all the radio codes, it does not mean that the situation or emergency will not be acknowledged or actioned upon by the receiver.

What Are Priority Terms?

Now that you know the four different Codes used in emergency medical services, what are Priority Terms?

Priority Terms are sometimes used among emergency medical services - paramedics and firefighters - in conjunction with radio codes listed above. This helps to provide more details about the situation at hand and what the possible emergencies are and what they involve.

With a better understanding of the situation, the receiver will be able to respond more specifically.

Again, the usage of Priority Terms depends on the EMS department and the location of the department.

Priority 1

Priority 1 signifies a “DOA”. This means that the patient is dead on arrival, or a trauma patient. CPR might be required, depending on the patient’s condition.

Priority 2

Priority 2 means that emergency assistance is required, or that the situation is an emergency and should be treated with urgency.

In this case, assistance should arrive as quickly as possible using flashing lights and sirens.

Priority 3

Priority 3 means that the situation is not an emergency, but the patient on the scene needs to be transported for further medical attention.

Priority 4

Priority 4 signifies that the situation, or emergency, is under control. 

It is more of an update than a call for action. In other words: no further assistance, or action, needs to be organized by the receiver.

Priority 5

Priority 5 is the most urgent of all the Priority Terms, despite the order of urgency de-escalating from Priority 2 through to Priority 4.

Priority 5 means that there are multiple casualties on the scene, and that emergency assistance is urgently required.

As Priority 5 can be interchangeable with a Code 3, it is the reason Priority Terms are not used by all EMS departments.

What Are Ten-Codes?