911 Call Flashcards
7 cards from real 911 Operator Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 911 Call flashcards as text
A child calls 911 and says their parent is 'sleeping and won't wake up.' What should the operator assume?
Answer: It may be a medical emergency such as unconsciousness or overdose
A child's description of an unresponsive adult must be treated as a potential medical emergency until first responders can assess the situation.
Which of the following is NOT an appropriate question to ask a caller reporting a burglary in progress?
Answer: Why didn't you install a security system?
Criticizing the caller's security choices is inappropriate, counterproductive, and can damage trust during an emergency.
An operator receives a 911 call where the caller speaks only Spanish and the operator does not speak Spanish. What is the correct procedure?
Answer: Use the agency's language interpretation service immediately
Most PSAPs have access to language interpretation services that must be engaged immediately to ensure the caller receives assistance.
What is the primary purpose of asking 'Is the person breathing?' early in a medical 911 call?
Answer: To determine whether CPR pre-arrival instructions should begin
Knowing whether the patient is breathing determines if life-threatening cardiac or respiratory arrest is occurring and if dispatcher-assisted CPR is needed.
A caller reports that a neighbor is waving a firearm in the street. Which detail is LEAST critical to obtain first?
Answer: The suspect's date of birth
Date of birth is an administrative detail that can be obtained later; location, description, and whether shots were fired directly affect responder safety and deployment.
What should a 911 operator do when a caller provides an address in a jurisdiction outside the operator's PSAP coverage area?
Answer: Take the call information and transfer it to the appropriate PSAP
Operators must transfer out-of-jurisdiction calls to the correct PSAP while ensuring continuity so the caller is not abandoned.
When gathering information about a suspect's clothing during a 911 call, what order of description is recommended?
Answer: Head to toe (hat, shirt, pants, shoes)
A head-to-toe description (hat, shirt, pants, shoes) provides a systematic and complete picture that officers can use for identification.