Utah POST Dispatcher Terminology

ABANDONMENT

Leaving a patient who is known to be in a life-threatening condition.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act.

ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (ALS)

Includes basic life support (BLS), airway, breathing and circulation (the ABC's) and definitive therapy such as advanced airway techniques, cardiac monitoring, administration of cardiac medications, and use of defibrillation as invasive procedures.

AEMT

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician.

AFFIDAVIT

A written statement, made signed under oath, usually before a notary public or other authorized person, making a declaration of fact.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

Any person intentionally causes serious bodily injury to another or uses a dangerous weapon or other means or force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury.

AIR OR BREATHING SUPPORT UNIT

Carries replacement air cylinders for firefighter's breathing apparatus.

ALARM

An audible or visual signal indicating the existence of a supposed fire or emergency.

ALERT TONES

Electronic tones preceding a radio message, broadcast or dispatch to advise personnel of the type of information being dispatched.

ALI

Automatic Location Identification.

ALS UNIT or MEDIC UNIT

A team capable of performing Advanced Life Support.

AFIS

Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

ALTERNATE ROUTING

The capability of automatically rerouting 9-1-1 calls to a designated alternate location if all 9-1-1 trunks are busy, out of service, or not answered in a pre-determined time.

AMBER ALERT

A voluntary partnership between law enforcement, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases.

ANI

Automatic Number Identification (specific to 9-1-1 calls).

AOA

Angle of Arrival; a technology used in locating cell phones.

AP&P

Adult Probation and Parole.

APPARATUS

A motorized machine used to transport personnel and equipment to the scene of any emergency.

ARFF

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting units that distribute foam or chemical extinguishing agents.

ARSON

The intentional setting of a fire to a building or other property to defraud or for any other illegal or malicious purpose.

ASPHYXIATION

A loss of consciousness due to too little oxygen or too much carbon dioxide in the blood.

ASSAULT

An attempt with unlawful force or violence to do bodily injury to another.

ATL

Attempt To Locate.

AUTOMATIC AID

A pre-determined area in which two or more fire departments agree in advance to protect by dual initial response without requiring a special request.

AVL

Automatic Vehicle Location; usually utilizing GPS.

BA / BAC

Blood Alcohol / Blood Alcohol Content.

BACKDRAFT

An explosion or rapid burning of heated gases resulting from the introduction of oxygen into an oxygen-depleted fire area.

BACKFIRE

Deliberate setting of a fire in the path of a spreading wildland fire to stop its spread.

BACK UP

Officer sent to support another.

BAIL

Monetary guarantee that an arrested individual will appear in court.

BAILIFF

A court executive officer, usually a deputy sheriff.

BASE STATION

A receiver, transmitter, and power supply assembled as a unit at a fixed location to communicate with mobile stations.

BASIC 9-1-1

A system allowing 9-1-1 calls to connect to a PSAP via dedicated facilities; provides the 10-digit calling number.

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS)

Provides support for airway, breathing, and circulation without the aid of invasive equipment (First Aid).

BCI

Bureau of Criminal Identification.

BENCH WARRANT

A document issued by the court directing a law enforcement officer to bring a person before the court after failure to obey an order.

BLACK OUT

To suppress flames so that the area is darkened out.

B.L.E.V.E.

Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapor Explosion.

BLS UNIT

An engine, truck, or ambulance team capable of performing Basic Life Support.

BLUE ALERT

A system providing fast apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure law enforcement officers.

BOILOVER

Overflow of flammable liquid from a container due to heating from a fire or excessive water application.

BOLO

Be On the Look Out.

BOMB THREAT

A statement indicating the intention of placing or detonating an explosive device.

BOOKING

The process to record charges on an individual arrest.

BRANDISHING

Exhibiting a weapon in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, except in self-defense.

BROADCAST

A radio transmission.

BRUSH FIRE

A fire in wild vegetation growth denser and higher than grass, but not as large as trees.

BRUSH TRUCK

An apparatus for fighting wildland or grass fires (typically a tank and pump on a 4WD pick-up).

BURGLARY

Entering an enclosed area to commit a felony or take property not belonging to them.

CAD

Computer Aided (or Computer Assisted) Dispatch.

CALL BACK

Assignment of apparatus to standby in an area lacking coverage due to an active emergency elsewhere.

CARJACKING

Taking a vehicle by force or fear.

CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON

Carrying an unauthorized concealed firearm or weapon on a person or inside a vehicle under their control.

CFP

Concealed Firearm Permit.

CHAIN OF COMMAND

A series of management positions in order of authority.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY / EVIDENCE

The personnel handling evidence from collection to final disposition.

CHEMTREC

Chemical manufacturer-sponsored agency providing responders with info during hazmat incidents.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE

A mild exposure over a long period of time.

CI

Confidential Informant.

CIVIL

Enforcing or protecting an individual's personal or private rights.

CLASS "A" FIRES

Fires involving ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth) usually extinguished by water.

CLASS "C" FIRES

Fires involving energized electrical equipment.

CLASS "D" FIRES

Fires involving metals that contain their own oxygen.

CLASS "E" FIRES

Fires involving flammable liquids (gasoline, kerosene, alcohol).

CO

Carbon Monoxide.

CO (Phone)

Central Office of the phone company.

COMBUSTIBLE

A material or structure that ignites and burns at ordinary fire temperatures.

COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID

Liquids with a flash point between 100°F and 200°F.

COMMAND POST (CP)

Temporary field headquarters for special events or operations.

COMMITTED

Status of firefighting equipment actively tied up at an emergency scene.

COMMUNITY PROPERTY

Co-tenancy held by spouses in property acquired during marriage.

COMPANY

Basic firefighting unit, usually consisting of five personnel.

COMPUTER CRIMES

Crimes committed with the aid of a computer or existing because of computers.

CONCEAL

Withholding or hiding something which one has a duty to reveal.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Information obtained within employment cannot be discussed outside of work.

CONFINED SPACE RESCUE

Rescue from spaces not designed for continuous occupancy with restricted entry/exit (tanks, silos, vaults).

CONFLAGRATION

A major fire covering a large area crossing natural barriers like streets.

IMPLIED CONSENT

Assumed consent to medical treatment when a patient is unconscious or unresponsive.

ACTUAL CONSENT

Direct verbal or non-verbal communication requesting or allowing aid.

CONTROLLED BURN

A fire set intentionally to abate hazards or remove undesirable growth.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying real or personal property (vandalism).

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS

Stress caused by exposure to overwhelming, abnormal events beyond ordinary experience.

CTA

Control Terminal Agency.

CTO

Communications Training Officer.

C.Y.M.B.A.L.

Vehicle description acronym: Color, Year, Make, Body style, Anything else, License plate.

COMPENSATORY DAMAGES

Financial awards repaying plaintiffs for actual lost money/expenses.

PUNITIVE DAMAGES

Financial awards designed to punish the defendant.

DECONTAMINATION

System for removing contaminants from individuals exposed to hazardous materials.

DEFENDANT

A person against whom a lawsuit or charge is brought.

DISMEMBER

To cut off body limbs.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Knowingly and intentionally disturbing the peace or harassing others.

DISPATCH

To send or relay messages from the public to public safety personnel via radio or phone.

DISTURBING THE PEACE

Willfully and maliciously causing noise to disrupt community peace.

DL / DLD

Driver License / Driver License Division.

DMV

Department of Motor Vehicles.

DOA

Dead on Arrival.

DOB

Date of Birth.

DOE

Date of Emancipation (turning 18 or court-declared).

DOT

Direction of Travel / Department of Transportation.