911 Operator Test Call Prioritization and Decision-Making 4

Question 1

A caller reports a person with a knife threatening others in a parking lot. Which consideration should NOT influence dispatch priority?

Accepted Answer

The caller's opinion about the neighborhood being 'always like this'

Answer

Caller bias about a neighborhood is irrelevant; dispatch decisions must be based on the objective nature of the threat.

Question 2

What is the purpose of a CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) system in call prioritization?

Accepted Answer

To track incidents, manage unit availability, and assist in assigning priority

Answer

CAD systems log incidents, display unit status, and help dispatchers assign and manage call priorities efficiently.

Question 3

You are managing three active calls. One involves a missing child, one is a car alarm, and one is a reported shooting. In what order should you prioritize dispatch?

Accepted Answer

Shooting, missing child, car alarm

Answer

Active violence (shooting) poses the most immediate life threat, followed by a vulnerable missing child, then a property-only car alarm.

Question 4

A caller describes a suspicious person 'just standing around.' How should this call be classified?

Accepted Answer

Low to medium priority for a routine patrol check when available

Answer

Suspicious person calls without specific threat indicators are typically low-to-medium priority, dispatched for routine officer check when units are available.

Question 5

During a shift, all available units are committed to calls. A new call comes in reporting a structure fire. What should the dispatcher do?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify a supervisor and attempt to free or recall nearest available units

Answer

When resources are exhausted, a supervisor must be notified immediately to authorize recalls or mutual aid for a life-safety emergency like a structure fire.

911 Operator Test Practice Test

911 Operator Test Practice Test

911 Operator Test Call Prioritization and Decision-Making 4