911 Operator Test Data Entry and Multitasking Questions and Answers

Question 1

While actively inputting details of a multi-vehicle accident into the CAD system, a second dispatcher alerts you to a fire alarm activation at a local school.
Which of the following demonstrates the MOST effective multitasking?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the fire alarm, complete the current sentence in the CAD, and then immediately switch focus to the fire alarm protocol.

Answer

Ignore the fire alarm until the current CAD entry for the accident is fully completed and submitted.

Answer

Immediately stop the CAD entry mid-sentence and ask the other dispatcher to handle the fire alarm.

Answer

Finish the entire accident report, including all narratives and unit assignments, before addressing the fire alarm.

Question 2

A caller is providing a rapid and sometimes frantic description of a suspect who just fled a robbery. What is the best data entry technique for the operator to use in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Use agency-approved abbreviations and shorthand to capture key details as they are spoken.

Answer

Type the caller's entire narrative verbatim to ensure no details are missed.

Answer

Wait for the caller to finish their entire story before starting to type any information.

Answer

Repeatedly interrupt the caller to ask them to spell out every name and description.

Question 3

Which of the following data entry errors is most likely to result in a delayed or incorrect emergency response?

Accepted Answer

Entering '123 Main St' instead of '132 Main St'.

Answer

Misspelling the caller's last name in the reporting party field.

Answer

Using the wrong ten-code for a minor traffic violation.

Answer

Forgetting to log the caller's phone number when it is automatically captured by E911.

Question 4

An operator is handling a non-emergency call about a noise complaint. Simultaneously, they are monitoring radio traffic and notice a field unit has not checked in after a traffic stop within the expected timeframe. What is the operator's primary responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Politely conclude the noise complaint call and immediately initiate an officer status check via radio.

Answer

Continue with the noise complaint call while also trying to contact the officer on a secondary radio channel.

Answer

Put the noise complaint caller on hold indefinitely to focus solely on the radio traffic.

Answer

Send another unit to the officer's last known location without attempting radio contact first.

Question 5

Which of the following is a primary function of a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in relation to multitasking and data entry?

Accepted Answer

To provide a structured format for entering call information, ensuring consistency and accuracy across incidents.

Answer

To automatically dispatch the closest unit without any operator intervention.

Answer

To provide a direct voice-to-text transcription of every incoming call.

Answer

To eliminate the need for operators to listen to radio traffic by displaying all transmissions as text.

Question 6

You are taking a report of a stolen vehicle. The caller provides the license plate, '2-SAM-ADAM-BOY-7-9'. While you are entering this, you hear a request for a background check on a subject from a field unit over the radio. What is the most effective action to take?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge the radio request with 'stand by', finish typing the full license plate, and then run the background check.

Answer

Ignore the radio traffic until the entire stolen vehicle report is complete.

Answer

Tell the caller to hold, run the background check immediately, then return to the license plate.

Answer

Attempt to type the license plate and the information for the background check simultaneously in the same entry field.

While actively inputting details of a multi-vehicle accident into the CAD system, a second dispatcher alerts you to a fire alarm activation at a local school.Which of the following demonstrates the MOST effective multitasking?

While actively inputting details of a multi-vehicle accident into the CAD system, a second dispatcher alerts you to a fire alarm activation at a local school.
Which of the following demonstrates the MOST effective multitasking?