MPDS Codes

Priority System
Response
Classification

Basic Life
Support
Level of
Response

Advanced Life
Support
Level of Response

Notes

Alpha

Cold

Cold

Non-Life Threatening

Bravo

Hot

Hot

Non-Life Threatening \ Interventions needed

Charlie

Hot

Cold

Possible Life Threatening

Delta

Hot

Hot

Life Threatening

Echo

Hot

Hot

Life Threatening \ Other Resources

Dispatched
Eg: Fire Dept, Security with an AED,
Lifeguard, ...

Omega

---

---

Other Resources Dispatched instead of EMS

Eg: Police, Medical Examiner, ...

1 - Abdominal Pain
Code

Sub Category

1D1

Not alert

1C1

Fainting or near fainting >50 y/o

1C2

Females fainting or near fainting 12-50 y/o

1C3

Males w/ pain above navel >45 y/o

1C4

Females w/ pain above navel >45 y/o

1A1

Abdominal pain

2 - Allergic Reaction
Code

Sub Category

2E1

Ineffective breathing

2D1

Severe respiratory distress

2D2

Not alert

2D3

Condition worsening

2D4

Swarm attack (bees)

2D5

Snakebite

2C1

Difficulty breathing or swallowing

2C2

Special medications or injections used

2B1

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

2A1

No difficulty breathing or swallowing

2A2

Spider bite

3 - Animal Bites
Code

Sub Category

3D1

Unconscious or arrest

3D2

Not alert

3D3

Dangerous body area

3D4

Large animal

3D5

Exotic animal

3D6

Attack or multiple attack

3B1

Possibly dangerous body part

3B2

Serious hemorrhage

3B3

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

3A1

Not dangerous body area

3A2

Non-recent injuries >6 hours

3A3

Superficial bites

4 Assault
(A=Assault / S=Sexual Assault)
Code

Sub Category

4D1

Unconscious or arrest

4D2

Not alert

4D3

Abnormal breathing

4D4

Dangerous body area

4D5

Multiple victims

4B1

Possibly dangerous body area

4B2

Serious hemorrhage

4B3

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

4A1

Not dangerous body area

4A2

Non-recent injuries >6 hours

5 - Back Pain
Code

Sub Category

5D1

Not alert

5C1

Fainting or near fainting >50 y/o

5A1

Non-traumatic

5A2

Non-recent injuries >6 hours

6 - Breathing Difficulty
(A=Asthma)
Code

Sub Category

6E1

Ineffective breathing

6D1

Severe respiratory distress

6D2

Not alert

6D3

Clammy

6C1

Abnormal breathing

6C2

Cardiac history

7 - Burn Subject
Code

Sub Category

7D1

Unconscious or arrest

7D2

Severe respiratory distress

7D3

Not alert

7D4

Explosion

7D5

Multiple victims

7C1

Building fire w/ persons inside

7C2

Difficulty breathing

7C3

Burns >18% BSA

7B1

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

7A1

Burns 35 y/o

7A2

Fire alarm unknown situation

7A3

Sunburn or minor burn

8 - Hazardous Exposure
Code

Sub Category

8D1

Unconscious or arrest

8D2

Severe respiratory distress

8D3

HAZMAT

8D4

Not alert

8D5

Multiple victims

8D6

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

8C1

Alert w/ difficulty breathing

8B1

Alert w/o difficulty breathing

8A1

CO alarm--EMS requested

9 - Cardiac Arrest
Code

Sub Category

9E1

Not breathing at all

9E2

Breathing uncertain

9E3

Hanging

9E4

Strangulation

9E5

Suffocation

9E6

Underwater

9D1

Ineffective breathing

9B1

Obvious Death

10 - Chest Pain
Code

Sub Category

10D1 Severe respiratory distress

10D2 Not alert
10D3 Clammy
10C1 Abnormal breathing
10C2 Cardiac history
10C3 Cocaine
10C4 Breathing normally >35 y/o
10A1 Breathing normally <35 y/o

11 - Choking
Code

Sub Category

11E1 Choking verified/ineffective breathing

11D1 Not alert
11D2 Abnormal breathing
11A1 Not choking now

12 - Seizures
Code

Sub Category

12D1 Not breathing

12D2 Continuous or multiple seizures
12D3 Irregular breathing
12D4 Breathing regularly not verified >35 y/o
12C1 Pregnancy
12C2 Diabetic
12C3 Cardiac history
12B1 Breathing regularly not verified <35
12A1 Not seizing now & breathing verified

13 - Diabetic Problems
Code

Sub Category

13D1 Unconscious
13C1 Not alert
13C2 Abnormal behavior
13C3 Abnormal breathing
13A1 Alert

14 - Drowning
Code

Sub Category

14D1 Unconscious
14D2 Not alert
14D3 Diving or neck injury
14D4 SCUBA accident
14C1 Alert w/ abnormal breathing

14B1 Alert & breathing normally w/ injuries

14B2 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
14A1 Alert & breathing normally w/o injuries

15 Electrocution
(E=Electrocution / L=Lightning)
Code

Sub Category

15E1 Not breathing/ineffective breathing

15D1 Unconscious
15D2 Not disconnected from power
15D3 Power not off
15D4 Long fall >6 feet
15D5 Not alert
15D6 Abnormal breathing
15D7 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
15C1 Alert & breathing normally

16 - Eye Problem
Code

Sub Category

16D1 Not alert

16B1 Severe eye injuries
16A1 Moderate eye injuries
16A2 Minor eye injuries
16A3 Medical eye problems

17 - Falls
Code

Sub Category

17D1 Dangerous body area

17D2 Long fall >6 feet
17D3 Not alert
17D4 Abnormal breathing
17B1 Possibly dangerous body area
17B2 Serious hemorrhage
17B3 Unknown status (3rd party caller)

17A1 Not dangerous body area

17A2 Non-recent injuries >6 hours

18 - Headache
Code

Sub Category

18C1 Not alert

18C2 Abnormal breathing
18C3 Speech problems
18C4 Sudden onset of severe pain
18C5 Numbness or paralysis
18C6 Change in behavior
18B1 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
18A1 Breathing normally

19 - Heart Problem
Code

Sub Category

19D1 Severe respiratory distress

19D2 Not alert
19D3 Clammy
19C1 Firing of AICD
19C2 Abnormal breathing
19C3 Chest pain >35 y/o
19C4 Cardiac history
19C5 Cocaine
19C6 Heart rate 130
19B1 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
19A1 Heart rate >50 or 5 months
19A2 Chest pain <35 y/o w/o symptoms

20 - Environmental Exposure
Code

Sub Category

20D1 Not alert

20C1 Cardiac history
20B1 Change in skin color
20B2 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
20A1 Alert

21 - Hemorrhage
Code

Sub Category

21D1 Dangerous hemorrhage

21D2 Not alert
21D3 Abnormal breathing
21C1 Hemorrhage through a tube
21B1 Possibly dangerous hemorrhage
21B2 Serious hemorrhage
21B3 Bleeding disorder or blood thinners
21A1 Non-dangerous hemorrhage
21A2 Minor hemorrhage

22 - Industrial Accidents
Code

Sub Category

22D1 Life status questionable

22D2 Caught in machinery
22D3 Multiple victims
22B1 Unknown status (3rd party caller)

23 Overdose
(A=Accidental / I=Intentional / P=Poisoning)
Code

Sub Category

23D1 Unconscious
23D2 Severe respiratory distress
23C1 Violent
23C2 Not alert

23C3 Abnormal breathing

23C4 Antidepressants
23C5 Cocaine
23C6 Narcotics
23C7 Acid or alkali
23C8 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
23C9 Poison Control request for response
23B1 Overdose w/o symptoms
23O1 Poisoning w/o priority symptoms

24 - Pregnancy
Code

Sub Category

24D1 Breech or cord

24D2 Head visible
24D3 Imminent delivery >5 months
24D4 3rd trimester bleeding
24D5 High risk complications
24D6 Baby born
24C1 2nd trimester hemorrhage or miscarriage
24C2 1st trimester serious hemorrhage
24B1 Labor >5 months
24B2 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
24A1 1st trimester hemorrhage or miscarriage

25 - Psychiatric Problem
Code

Sub Category

25D1 Not alert

25B1 Violent
25B2 Threatening suicide
25B3 Near hanging
25B4 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
25A1 Non-violent & non-suicidal

26 - Sick Call
Code

Sub Category

26D1

Not alert

26C1

Cardiac History

26B1

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

26A1

Non priority symptoms

26A2

Boils

26A3

Bumps

26A4

Cannot sleep

26A5

Cannot urinate

26A6

Catheter problems

26A7

Constipation

26A8

Cramps/spasms

26A9

Cut-off ring request

26A10 Deafness
26A11 Defecation/diarrhea
26A12 Earache
26A13 Enema
26A14 Gout
26A15 Hemorrhoids/piles
26A16 Hepatitis
26A17 Hiccups
26A18 Hungry
26A19 Nervous
26A20 Object stuck
26A21 Object swallowed
26A22 Penis problems
26A23 Rash/skin disorder
26A24 STD
26A25 Sore throat
26A26 Toothache
26A27 Transport only
26A28 Wound infected

27 - Stab/Gunshot/Penetrating Trauma
(S=Stabbing / G=Gunshot Wound / P=Penetrating Trauma)
Code

Sub Category

27D1 Unconscious or arrest

27D2 Not alert
27D3 Central wounds
27D4 Multiple wounds
27D5 Multiple victims
27B1 Non-recent injuries >6 hours / central wounds
27B2 Known single peripheral wound
27B3 Serious hemorrhage
27B4 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
27A1 Non-recent >6 hours / peripheral wounds

28 - Stroke
Code

Sub Category

28C1 Not alert

28C2 Abnormal breathing
28C3 Speech or movement problems
28C4 Numbness or tingling
28C5 Stoke history
28C6 Breathing normally >35 y/o
28B1 Unknown status (3rd party caller)
28A1 Breathing normally 6 hours

29 - Traffic Collision
Code

Sub Category

29D1A Major incident (aircraft)

29D1B Major incident (bus)
29D1D Major incident (train)
29D1E Major incident (watercraft)
29D2A High mechanism (all-terrain)
29D2B High mechanism (motorcycle)
29D2C High mechanism (auto-pedestrian)

29D2D High mechanism (ejection)

29D2E High mechanism (personal watercraft)
29D2F High mechanism (rollover)
29D2G High mechanism (vehicle off bridge/height)
29D3

HAZMAT

29D4

Pinned

29D5

Not alert

29B1

Injuries

29B2

Multiple victims (one unit)

29B3

Multiple victims (additional units)

29B4

Serious hemorrhage

29B5

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

29A1

1st party caller w/ non-dangerous injury

30 - Traumatic Injury
Code

Sub Category

30D
30B
30A

Unknown status (3rd party caller)

31 - Subject Unconscious
Code

Sub Category

31E1 Ineffective breathing

31D1 Unconscious
31D2 Severe respiratory distress
31D3 Not alert
31C1 Alert w/ abnormal breathing
31C2 Cardiac history
31C3 Multiple fainting episodes
31C4 Single or near fainting episodes & alert
31C5 Female 12-50 y/o w/ abdominal pain

32 - Medical Nature Unknown

Code

Sub Category

32D1 Life status questionable

32B1 Standing, moving, sitting, or talking
32B2 Medical alert notification
32B3 Unknown status (3rd party caller)

33 Transfer
(T=Transfer / I=Interfacility)
Code

Sub Category

33D1 Suspected cardiac or respiratory arrest

33C1 Not alert (acute change)
33C2 Abnormal breathing
33C3 Significant hemorrhage or shock
33C4 Possible acute heart problems or MI
33C5 Acute severe pain
33C6 Emergency response requested
33A1 No priority symptoms

AMPDS
In addition, some systems, mostly those who dispatch for Fire Departments who either have EMS
responders, or areas where one centralized dispatch center dispatches both fire and medical calls,
Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS) codes may also be used. Fire codes start at 51,
and expand to 73.
Priority is similar to medical dispatch:
Priority System

Alpha Response=Code 1--Low Priority

Bravo Response=Code 2--Mid Priority

Charlie Response=Code 3--Possible threat to life or property

Delta Response=Code 3--Immediately threatening life or property

Echo Response=Code 3--Fires or emergencies that involve an imminent threat to life

Omega Response=Code 1--Lowest Priority

Typically confirmed fires (Units on scene confirming flames visible) are encoded at the Delta level, and
confirmed fires in occupied structures are encoded at the Echo level.

Fire codes: (51-73)

51 - Aircraft Emergency
51-O-1 Airborne Aircraft
51-A-1

Stand BY

51-B-1

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

51-C-1

Aircraft Incoming - Full Emergency (Alert II)

51-C-2

Aircraft Incoming - Minor Emergency (Alert II)

51-D-1

Aircraft Crash (Alert III)

51-D-2

Aircraft Crash Involving Structure (Alert III)

51-D-3

Aircraft Fire on Ground (Alert III)

52 - Alarms

52-O-1 Burglar Hold-up Alarm

52-O-2 Medical Alarm
52-B-1

Residential (Multiple)

52-B-2

Residential (Single)

52-B-3

Non-Dwelling Structure (Shed, Garage, Call Box)

52-B-4

Mobile Home, House Trailer, Portable Office

52-B-5

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

52-C-1

High Life Hazard

52-C-2

High Rise

52-C-3

Commercial Structure
53 - Citizen Assist / Service Call

53-O-1 Locked Out of Vehicle (Unoccupied)

53-O-2 Down Trees and Objects
53-O-3 Hydrant Problems
53-O-4 Sewer Problems
53-O-5 Water Main Break
53-O-6 Other
53-A-1

Locked in Vehicle (Non-Medical Assistance)

53-A-2

Locked in/Out of Dwelling (Non-Medical Assistance)

53-A-3

Citizen Assist (Non-Medical Assistance)

53-A-4

Animal Rescue

53-A-5

Water Problem

53-B-1

Locked in Vehicle (Possible Medical Assistance)

53-B-2

Locked in/Out of Dwelling (Possible Medical Assistance)

53-B-3

Citizen Assist (Possible Medical Assist)

53-B-4

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

53-C-1

Water Problem with Electrical Hazard

54 - Confined Space / Structure Collapse

54-B-1

Entrapment (Unconfirmed)

54-C-1

Entrapment (Unconfirmed) with Hazardous Materials

54-D-1

Entrapment (confirmed)

54-D-2

Entrapment (Confirmed) with Hazardous Materials

55 - Electrical Hazard

55-A-1

Transformer Outside (Wire or Pole)

55-A-2

Appliance with No Odor Present

55-B-1

Electrical Arching

55-B-2

Wires Down with No Smoke or Arching

55-B-3

Appliance with Odor Present

55-B-4

Electrical Odor

55-B-5

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

55-C-1

Electrical Hazard with or near Water

55-C-2

Wires Down with smoke or arching

56 - Elevator / Escalator Rescue

56-O-1 Elevator Malfunction - No Occupants Inside

56-O-2 Escalator Incident - Not Caught (with or without injuries)
56-A-1

Elevator Malfunction - Occupants Inside

56-B-1

Elevator Malfunction - Occupants Inside (Medical Condition Present)

56-B-2

Caught (Escalator) with no injuries

56-B-3

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

56-D-1

Entrapment (Escalator) with injuries

57 - Explosion

57-B-1

Vehicle Explosion

57-B-2

Non-Structure Explosion

57-B-3

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

57-D-1

High Life Hazard

57-D-2

High Rise

57-D-3

Commercial Structure

57-D-4

Residential (Multiple)

57-D-5

Residential (Single)

57-D-6

Large Non-Dwelling Structure (Barn, Storage Building)

57-D-7

Small Non-Dwelling Structure (Shed, Detached Garage)

57-D-8

Large Fuel/Fire Load Vehicle

57-D-9

Mobile Home, House Trailer, Portable Office

58 - Extrication / Entrapped (Machinery, Vehicle)

58-B-1

Entrapment (Unconfirmed)

58-B-2

No Longer trapped

58-D-1

Entrapment (Confirmed)
59 - Fuel Spill

59-B-1

Uncontained Spill <50 Gallons

59-B-2

Contained Spill <50 Gallons

59-C-1

Uncontained Spill >50 Gallons

59-C-2

Contained Spill >50 Gallons

59-C-3

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

60 - Gas Leak (Natural and LP Gases)

60-B-1

Outside Tank Leak <5 Gallons

60-B-2

Outside Odor

60-C-1

Outside Tank Leak >5 Gallons

60-D-1

Inside Rupture/Tank Leak (Odor)

60-D-2

Outside Rupture (Odor)

61 - HazMat

61-A-1

Abandoned Waste

61-B-1

Small Spill (<5 Gallons)

61-C-1

HazMat (Contained)

61-C-2

Illegal Drug Lab

61-D-1

HazMat (Uncontained or moving)

61-D-2

HazMat Fire (Outside)

61-D-3

Illegal Drug Lab Fire (Outside)

61-D-4

Illegal Drug Lab (Uncontained or Moving)

62 - High Angle Rescue

62-B-1

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

62-D-1

High Angle Rescue

63 - Lightning Strike (Investigation)

63-B-1

Residential (Single)

63-B-2

Non-Dwelling Structure (Shed, Garage)

63-B-3

Mobile Home, House Trailer, Portable Office

63-B-4

Outside Lightning Strike

63-B-5

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

63-C-1

High Life Hazard

63-C-2

High Rise

63-C-3

Commercial Structure

63-C-4

Residential (Multiple)
64 - Marine Fire

64-B-1

Extinguished Fire

64-D-1

Threatened Structure or Other Boats

64-D-2

Docked in Coastal Water

64-D-3

Docked in Inland Water

64-D-4

Beached in Coastal Water

64-D-5

Beached in Inland Water

64-D-6

Coastal Water

64-D-7

Oceanic Water

64-D-8

Inland Water

64-D-9

Dry Dock
65 - Mutual Aid / Assist Outside Agency

65-A-1

Mutual Aid to Incident (Single Unit)

65-A-2

Assist Outside Agency (Single Unit)

65-A-3

Mutual Aid Move Up/Cover (Station Assignment)

65-A-4

Mutual Aid to Staging Area

65-B-1

Mutual Aid to Incident (Single Unit)

65-B-2

Assist Outside Agency (Single Unit)

65-D-1

Mutual Aid to Incident (Multiple Units)

65-D-2

Assist Outside Agency (Multiple Unit)

66 - Odor (Strange / Unknown)

66-A-1

Odor Inside

66-A-2

Odor Outside

66-C-1

Odor with Patients

67 - Outside Fire

67-O-1 Controlled Burn

67-A-1

Transformer (Wire or Pole)

67-A-2

Extinguished Fire

67-B-1

Small Outside Fire

67-B-2

Small Outside Fire with hazardous materials present

67-B-3

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

67-D-1

Wildland Fire

67-D-2

Brush/Grass Fire

67-D-3

Large Outside Fire

67-D-4

Large Outside Fire with hazardous materials

68 - Smoke Investigation (Outside)

68-A-1

Light Smoke

68-A-2

Odor of Smoke

68-C-1

Heavy Smoke
69 - Structure Fire

69-C-1

Appliance Fire (Contained)

69-C-2

Extinguished Fire

69-D-1

High Life Hazard

69-D-2

High Rise

69-D-3

Commercial Structure

69-D-4

Residential (Multiple)

69-D-5

Residential (Single)

69-D-6

Chimney

69-D-7

Large Non-Dwelling Structure (Barn, Storage Building)

69-D-8

Small Non-Dwelling Structure (Shed, Detached Garage)

69-D-9

Mobile Home, House Trailer, Portable Office

69-D-10 Unknown Situation (Investigation)

69-E-1

Person on Fire (Inside)

69-E-2

Trapped in Structure Fire

70 - Train / Rail Incident

70-O-1 Moving Train

70-B-1

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

70-D-1

Structure Involved

70-D-2

Derailment Below Ground

70-D-3

Derailment Elevated (Above ground)

70-D-4

Derailment at Ground Level

70-D-5

Derailment in Tunnel

70-D-6

Fire on Board Below Ground

70-D-7

Fire on Board Elevated (Above Ground)

70-D-8

Fire on Board at Ground Level

70-D-9

Fire on Board in Tunnel

70-D-10 Vehicle(s) Involved

71 - Vehicle Fire
71-A-1

Vehicle Fire (Extinguished)

71-B-1

Vehicle Fire

71-B-2

Large Fuel/Fire Load Vehicle (extinguished)

71-C-1

Vehicle Fire Threatening Non-Structure

71-C-2

Vehicle Fire in Parking Garage

71-D-1

Vehicle Fire with Threatened Structure

71-D-2

Tanker or Tractor-Trailer (Semi) with Flammable Cargo

71-D-3

Large Fuel/Fire Load Vehicle

71-E-1

Vehicle Fire (Occupants Trapped)

72 - Water Rescue

72-A-1

Animal Rescue

72-B-1

Stranded Motorist (Non-threatened)

72-B-2

Unknown Situation (Investigation)

72-E-1

Sinking Vehicle

72-E-2

Ice Rescue

72-E-3

Swift Water Rescue

72-E-4

Scuba Dive Accident

72-E-5

Swimming Pool Rescue

72-E-6

Coastal Water Rescue

72-E-7

Inland Water Rescue

72-E-8

Oceanic Water Rescue

73 - Watercraft in Distress

73-B-1

Out of Fuel

73-B-2

Engine Will Not Start

73-B-3

Run Aground

73-B-4

Flare Sighting (other than Orange or Red)

73-D-1

Taking on Water

73-D-2

Person Overboard

73-D-3

Flare Sighting (Orange or Red)

73-D-4

Unknown Situation (Investigation) test