Radio Communications

The Field Museum is equipped with two very important and effective means of internal communication.  First, the use of the telephone system puts you in touch with most exhibits and operational facilities within the Museum as well as important parties outside of the Museum.  However, the telephone is not always the most effective means of communication when trying to locate a specific individual within the Museum. In these instances, the Field Museum maintains a second means of communication: two-way radios. Radios enhance internal communication by allowing for quick, direct, and effective means of locating other personnel. Misuse of the radio is strictly forbidden. You should practice and be proficient in the proper use and operation of the radios. Please treat the radios carefully; you are responsible for them. All radios are to be signed-out on the Sign-In Sheet when you obtain a radio. 

Operation Guidelines


NOTE: The radios are monitored throughout the Museum, and can be heard easily by guests. It is very important that you not convey confidential information (such as specific details of an emergency) over the radio.  Please be discreet in what you say and how you say it. Remember, people are listening.


The following is a list of codes (“ten codes”) that we use to effectively and concisely communicate with each other over the radio:

Protection Services/Security Housekeeping

10-1   Officer needs assistance 10-51 Washroom Cleanup

10-2   Signal good 10-52 Replenish paper

10-3   Radio Silence (stop transmitting) 10-53 Clogged toilet

10-4   Affirmative (acknowledge, ok) 10-54 Sink clogged

10-7   Out of Services 10-55 Pan Up

10-8   In Services 10-56 Trash Overflow/Removal

10-9   Say Again (repeat) 10-57 Spill cleanup

10-10 Disgruntled visitor 10-58 Flood cleanup

10-12 Stand By 10-59 Blood cleanup

10-13 Pickpocket 10-60 Vomit cleanup

10-14 Suspicious Person (m=male f=female) 10-61 Chemical spill

10-17 Enroute to Assignment 10-62 Graffiti

10-18 Urgent 10-63 Outside/Inside entrance

10-20 Location 10-64 Grounds cleanup

10-21 Call by Phone 10-65 Ice/snow removal

10-22 Disregard 10-66 Glass cleanup

10-24 Assignment Completed 10-67 Gum removal

10-25 Report Meet

10-26 Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)

10-30 On break or lunch

10-44 Bomb threat

10-45 Looking for lost child

10-46 Have lost child

10-47 Medical Assistance

10-100 Bathroom Break


Code Blue – Major Medical Code Orange – Explosion

Code Red – Fire Code Green- Fight

Code Black - Active Shoot Code Silver - Firearm

Amber Alert - Child Abduction