We have all heard everything over our scanners from the words Roger to SOB recently and if you were ever wondering who came up with some of these terms here is a short definition of some of the terms and there meanings:

• 'Roger' is not only the famous peanut vendor at the Dodger Games but in LAFD terms it means:

  "I understand what you have said and acknowledge."

• 'SOB' yes it’s true you can say SOB on radio especially when your attempting to say SHORTNESS OF BREATH.
   
• 'Manual Mode' means that Tech. Control has taken the computers down at OCD and their dispatching in the MANUAL MODE..like via telephone or over the radio.
   
• Sometimes when listening to the CHP radio they use the term 'IN THE BLIND' no, officers aren't asking for seeing eye dogs it means whoever is talking on the radio knows the other party cannot answer.
   
• 'CTCSS' Radio technology today has leaped with the use of computers and chips, radios are getting smaller and the range is getting better. The radio with the 'Batman Wings'(aka Motorola) once the leader in radio technology, now has competition from several other radio manufacturers such as Bendix-King, now known as BK radio, Icom, Vertex, G.E. RCA and several others. Some of the terms used by different radio companies are attached to their patents. Trademark names such as Motorola- best known for (PL) 'private line'; G.E. is known for their (CG) 'Channel Guard', RCA/Tactec is known for (QC) 'Quiet Guard' and BK Radio aka Bendix/King owns the rights to 'Code Guard'. The purpose of the above listed squelching devices is to make radio listening pleasurable. This is where the term CTCSS comes from and each company provides tones and frequencies to accompany their patented system.
   
• 'FLIR Equipped' Many times, while listening to today's police and fire departments, you can hear a chief or officer ask a helicopter if they're FLIR equipped (some departments such as Burbank Police use 'are you special equipped') and this means FLIR FORWARD LOOKING INFRARED. The FLIR is a camera type device mounted on the outside of the helicopter that seeks heat and transmits it findings to a black & white T.V inside the airship. Everything gives off some type of heat and this is useful when looking for a suspect hiding under a tree or overhang at night or during a fire. You can see where a hot spot is in a brush area, and it can even see through smoke and haze.
   
• 'Wheels' - A gurney (aka stretcher).
   
• 'ALOC' - Altered Level of Consciousness.
   
• 'ETOH' - Medical term for Alcohol Related.
   
• 'M.F.D' - Multi Family Dwelling.
   
• 'S.F.D.' - Single Family Dwelling.
   
• 'DRIP' - The amount of I.V. liquid .

  "That's a Roger engine 60 O.C.D. is in manual mode."