Understanding Formats

CFP alerts follow a very standard format. Below is an example alert for a typical incident:

This version provides explanations for each "module" of an alert:

1 - CFP DIVISION NUMBER

See this map for an explanation of CFP Divisions.

2 - CITY or FIRE DEPARTMENT

3 - COUNTY

4 - INCIDENT TYPE/ALARM LEVEL

5 - ADDRESS and CROSS STREET

6 - SIZE-UP/DESCRIPTION of OPERATIONS

Incident size-up (smoke/fire showing, fully involved, well involved, heavy smoke condition, etc.), including building description (type of construction, number of floors, dimensions, occupancy), life hazard, specific fire department operations (attack/supply lines, defensive/offensive mode), injuries, special hazards, etc.

7 - UNITS

8 - FIREGROUND CHANNEL NAME/FREQUENCY

9 - AUTHORITY/CREDIT for INFO

Some abbreviations used include: HL (Hot Line), FC (Fire Comm, Nextel Direct Connect), FNN-911 or SCF-911 (website submissions), O/S (on scene), DIR (direct report), FR (email fire report submission).

10 - DISPATCHER NUMBER

11 - GROUP ALERT MODULE NUMBERS

Designates which group(s) incident was sent to. Asterisk indicates the alert will be posted at FireNews.net or SConFire.com