AFA-Automatic Fire Alarm-This is an alarm from a business or residence that is monitored by an alarm company and could be a smoke detector, heat sensor or sprinkler activation.
Berks-Not only the name of the county but the call sign used when police, fire or ambulance units are calling on the radio to give information to the emergency services dispatch center.
CO Alarm–Carbon monoxide alarm-An alarm similar to a smoke detector in appearance and function but goes off to alert the occupants to the presence of carbon monoxide which is colorless, odorless, tasteless and can cause flu like symptoms or even death.
Hazmat-Hazardous Materials Incident-This type of call can cover anything from a natural gas leak, an unknown odor in a building or a call that involves acids, asbestos, explosives or any one of the thousands of types of chemicals that exist
MVA or MVC–Motor Vehicle Accident or Crash-One or more vehicles that collide with each other or a tree, pole or building. These can range from relatively minor to one where the occupants are injured or trapped and have to be removed from the car using the rescue tools.
RIT-Rapid Intervention Team-A company that is dispatched to a structure fire but has no specific firefighting duties. Their job is to survey the building, place additional ground ladders, open up additional exit points and stand by in the event a firefighter needs assistance due to becoming disoriented, injured or trapped.
SF-Structure Fire-A fire, whether in a house, high rise or business is dispatched as a structure fire. This type of response calls for much more fire apparatus than a vehicle or trash fire.
VF-Vehicle Fire-A fire that involves a car, truck or bus is dispatched as a vehicle fire and usually involves only a few pieces of fire apparatus. If the vehicle is inside of a garage or close to a house or another building it will be dispatched as a structure fire.
