911 Dispatcher 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 Dispatcher flashcards as text
A caller reports smoke coming from a building but is unsure if anyone is inside. How should the dispatcher handle uncertainty about occupants?
Answer: Dispatch fire and EMS, and have units treat as occupied until confirmed otherwise
Dispatchers should always err on the side of safety by treating an uncertain occupancy situation as occupied until responders confirm otherwise.
What is the significance of 'NENA' in the 911 industry?
Answer: National Emergency Number Association — the standards body for 911 systems and training
NENA (National Emergency Number Association) develops standards, training guidelines, and best practices for 911 systems across the United States.
A dispatcher receives a 911 call but hears only silence and no response after speaking. What is the correct action?
Answer: Announce your presence, attempt to elicit a response, and if unsuccessful, dispatch units to the traced address
Silent 911 calls may indicate a caller who is unable to speak, so dispatchers must announce themselves, listen for clues, and dispatch based on the traced address.
What is a 'BOLO' and when would a dispatcher issue one?
Answer: Be On LookOut — issued to alert patrol units of a suspect or vehicle description to watch for
A BOLO (Be On LookOut) is a broadcast alert dispatchers send to field units describing a wanted person or vehicle connected to an incident.
During a mass casualty incident, a dispatcher's role includes:
Answer: Coordinating multiple units, activating mutual aid, and maintaining communication between all responding agencies
During a mass casualty incident, the dispatcher is the communication hub — coordinating resources, requesting mutual aid, and keeping all agencies informed.
A caller reports a gas leak inside their home. What pre-arrival instruction should the dispatcher provide?
Answer: Instruct the caller to evacuate immediately without operating any switches or electrical devices
Electrical sparks from switches can ignite gas; callers should evacuate immediately without touching any switches or electrical devices.
What is the purpose of 'incident priority codes' used by dispatch centers?
Answer: To rank the urgency of incidents so that resources are allocated to the most critical situations first
Priority codes allow dispatchers to quickly rank incident urgency and ensure that life-threatening emergencies receive the fastest response.