ORIGINAL, FREE PRINTABLE
Printable Dispatcher Terminology Reference Sheet
Use these plain-English definitions to follow career information and preparation materials. Local policies, systems and meanings take priority in operational work. This reference is not a radio-code standard, medical protocol or substitute for agency training.
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How to use this resource
- Read the full terminology library for examples and official source links.
- Write down unfamiliar local terms when reviewing an agency’s public recruitment material.
- Do not assume a ten-code, status label or phonetic alphabet has the same meaning everywhere.
Call taking and systems
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| PSAP / ECC | Public safety answering point / emergency communications center; local titles and roles differ. |
| Call taker | Person who receives a request, confirms information and records or routes it under local procedures. |
| Callback number | Number used to attempt to reach the caller again; confirm it as directed by agency procedure. |
| Incident location | Where the event is happening; it may differ from the caller’s current location. |
| ANI / ALI | Automatic number identification / automatic location identification; displayed information still needs appropriate verification. |
| CAD | Computer-aided dispatch: software supporting incident records, unit information and dispatch workflow. |
| GIS | Geographic information system: mapped information used to organize and understand locations. |
| NG911 | Next Generation 911: modern network and technology approaches supporting emergency communications. |
Radio and unit status
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| Call sign / unit identifier | Label used to identify a radio user or resource. |
| Readback | Repeating key information to check it was understood correctly. |
| Plain language | Ordinary words used to communicate meaning; approved phrasing depends on context and agency. |
| Phonetic alphabet | Words used to clarify letters; the adopted alphabet can vary. |
| Available / busy | Locally defined indications of whether a unit can take an assignment. |
| En route / on scene | Generally traveling to / arrived at an incident; local status procedures govern. |
| BOLO | ‘Be on the lookout’: a notice about a person, vehicle or other subject; details and distribution are agency-specific. |
| Mutual aid | Assistance between jurisdictions or organizations under applicable arrangements. |
Fire, EMS and training
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| Apparatus | A fire-service vehicle or resource; type names and capabilities vary. |
| EMS | Emergency medical services; dispatch arrangements differ by area. |
| EMD | Emergency medical dispatch; required training, credentials and protocol systems vary. |
| Pre-arrival instructions | Agency-authorized instructions given before responders arrive; use requires appropriate training and protocols. |
| Priority / triage | Methods of ordering or evaluating incidents within an approved local system, not a universal numbered scale. |
| CTO | Communications training officer in many centers; job titles may differ. |
| Probation | An employer-defined initial period of evaluation and employment conditions. |
| QA | Quality assurance: review intended to maintain or improve performance under the organization’s standards. |
Local vocabulary to verify
For an unfamiliar term, record the agency, its official explanation and where you found it. Confirm the adopted phonetic alphabet and status labels before using them.