911 Operator Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield 911 Operator Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. You receive four calls in rapid succession. Which of the following should be prioritized for immediate dispatch? → A report of a strong smell of natural gas outside a residential building.
2. When a dispatcher says 'stand by' to a caller, what should the caller do? → Remain on the line and wait
3. Examples of: Poor work ethics, low morale, and trouble focusing and staying focused → Mental stress
4. What is the PRIMARY purpose of using a phonetic alphabet during radio transmissions? → To ensure letters are clearly understood despite noise or static
5. What does the radio code '10-4' typically mean in dispatch communications? → Acknowledged/Message received
6. When a 911 operator is giving telephone CPR instructions for an adult, how should compression depth be communicated to an untrained caller? → Push down about 2 to 2.4 inches on the center of the chest
7. There are 5 stages in the communications cycle. Which section is the content reference? → Message
8. Should you call 911 or Telephone Crime Reporting if a car has been abandoned on your street? → Telephone Crime Reporting Unit (313)267-4600
9. The following details are required in order to properly question a Telecommunicator: → Where, what, when, weapons, who and how
10. When should a 911 dispatcher instruct a bystander to begin CPR? → When an unresponsive adult is reported and EMS has not yet arrived
11. When a caller reports severe, uncontrolled bleeding, what is the first pre-arrival instruction a 911 operator should give? → Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound
12. Which of the following situations would warrant dialing 911? → An electric wire is down.
13. When providing instructions for a conscious adult who is severely choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe, what should the 911 operator instruct? → Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
14. If a caller disconnects during a medical emergency before EMS has been dispatched, what should the 911 operator do? → Attempt to call back immediately and dispatch EMS to the last known address
15. What kind of facility is an example of that provides surgeons, other medical staff, and equipment to care for seriously injured patients around-the-clock? → Trauma
16. When a caller reports that someone is unconscious and not breathing, what is the 911 operator's first action? → Begin providing CPR instructions immediately
17. The other driver gets hurt in an automobile collision in which you are also involved. Which number do you dial first? → 911
18. A caller reports an infant under one year old appears unconscious and is not breathing. How should the operator's CPR instructions differ from adult CPR? → Use two fingers for compressions and give small gentle puffs of air
19. What is the recommended communication style for a dispatcher delivering pre-arrival emergency instructions? → Calm, clear, and deliberate
20. Which phone number should you call if someone in your neighborhood is playing loud music after dark? → Telephone Crime Reporting Unit (313)267-4600
21. Officers can locate the number on a material by looking for it on the: → Orange panel
22. A caller is verbally abusive toward the dispatcher. What is the appropriate response? → Remain professional, gather emergency information, and dispatch resources
23. A caller says an adult is conscious but clutching their chest and sweating heavily. Which condition should the 911 operator prioritize preparing for? → Cardiac arrest
24. What does '10-33' typically mean in many US dispatch systems? → Emergency — all units clear the channel
25. A caller reports a domestic disturbance then goes silent. What should the dispatcher do? → Keep the line open and dispatch units while attempting communication
26. When providing CPR instructions by phone, where on the sternum should the operator instruct the caller to place their hands? → On the lower half of the sternum, above the xiphoid process
27. Which of the following techniques is most effective for improving memory recall of critical details during a high-stress call? → Repeating key information back to the caller for confirmation.
28. Telecommunicators must be able to tell when a piece of information is inappropriate. All of the following are acceptable, but not: → Listen to the caller only, block out all background noises
29. On a standard gridded map page, what is the primary purpose of the alphanumeric coordinates (e.g., D-8, G-14) found in a street index? → To quickly guide the user to the general location of a street on the map page.
30. What information is MOST critical to obtain FIRST when someone calls 911? → Location of the emergency