What Is a 904 Police Code? 904 Police Code

The 904 police code meaning for the police forces is Fire.

The 904 Police Code is a commonly used law enforcement signal that stands for Fire. When emergency personnel or police officers report a situation involving a fire, they often communicate using the shorthand “Code 904”. This simple numeric code helps ensure fast, efficient, and clear communication—especially critical in high-pressure, high-risk situations where seconds matter.

Understanding the 904 Police Code: Fire Emergencies in Action

So, what is 904 police code in practical terms? It’s a signal used to alert dispatch and nearby units of an active fire or fire-related emergency. This can include anything from residential or commercial structure fires to vehicle fires, brush fires, or hazardous material blazes. Using police code 904 allows first responders to immediately grasp the severity and nature of the call without needing long verbal explanations.

Why Use Police Code 904? Speed and Clarity

The 904 police code is part of a larger communication system developed to streamline law enforcement dispatching. This code is especially important in large or chaotic scenes, where background noise or emotional stress can cause miscommunication. By simply stating “904,” responders and dispatchers know it’s a fire event, and can act accordingly—whether that’s sending the fire department, securing an area, or preparing for evacuation protocols.

Origins of the Police Code System

The police code system, including code 904, traces back to the 1930s and was formalized as the APCO Ten Signals between 1937 and 1940. These codes were developed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) to promote clarity and consistency in police communication nationwide. Over time, different departments adopted and adapted these codes for their own operational needs.

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Welcome to All Police Codes, your go-to online resource for understanding Police Codes used across the United States. Whether you’re exploring for curiosity or conducting serious research, this site was built to help you learn everything there is to know about the 904 Police Code—as well as every other police code used by law enforcement and emergency services in the U.S.

What Is the 904 Police Code?

The 904 Police Code is the official emergency signal for Fire. When law enforcement or emergency dispatchers use code 904, it typically indicates an active fire emergency—whether it’s a building fire, a vehicle fire, or another serious incident requiring fire department intervention. This shorthand plays a crucial role in reducing response times and preventing communication errors during high-stress situations.

Why Police Codes Like 904 Matter

Police codes like 904 are essential tools used in radio communication between law enforcement, dispatchers, and emergency responders. Instead of using long, descriptive phrases, responders can use short numeric codes—like the 904 Fire Code—to send quick, clear, and standardized messages. This helps prevent miscommunication and speeds up response coordination during emergencies.

Our team has spent years researching police radio codes, including how they’re used in real-world scenarios. The result is a collection of valuable, accurate, and easy-to-understand information now available to you for free.

Listen to 904 Police Code in Action

Want to hear a 904 Police Code call in real time? Police codes like 904 are frequently used during live dispatches and can be heard using a police scanner. These devices or scanner apps let you tap into local emergency radio traffic. When code 904 is broadcast, it means a fire-related emergency is underway and responders are on the move.

History of Police Codes

The 904 Police Code, like all Ten-Codes and law enforcement signals, traces its roots back to the late 1930s. Between 1937 and 1940, police codes were first introduced as part of the APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials) system. In 1974, the system was further expanded and standardized for modern use. These codes replaced longer, clunkier radio messages, making emergency response far more efficient.

APCO’s earliest communications procedures were adapted from U.S. Navy Morse code signals. Over time, these evolved into the familiar voice codes used today—including code 904 for Fire.

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Understanding the 904 Police Code

Whether you’re a first responder, an aspiring dispatcher, or simply fascinated by law enforcement procedures, understanding codes like 904 for Fire is an excellent step in learning how emergency services communicate effectively. Explore our site to discover more codes, from 10-42 (End of Tour) to 901 (Ambulance Call) and beyond.

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