911 Operator Test Emergency Call Prioritization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A caller reports a minor fender-bender with no injuries while simultaneously another caller reports a person collapsed and unresponsive. Which call receives the highest priority?
- The fender-bender, as traffic hazards affect more people
- The unresponsive person, as it is a life-threatening medical emergency (Correct answer)
- Both calls receive equal priority
- The first call received takes priority regardless of nature
Correct answer: The unresponsive person, as it is a life-threatening medical emergency
An unresponsive person represents an immediate life threat and always outranks property damage incidents with no injuries.
Question 2: During a mass-casualty incident, what triage priority designation is given to victims who are deceased or have unsurvivable injuries?
- Red (Immediate)
- Yellow (Delayed)
- Green (Minor)
- Black (Expectant/Deceased) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Black (Expectant/Deceased)
Black tags in START triage are assigned to deceased victims or those with injuries incompatible with survival given available resources.
Question 3: A caller describes chest pain radiating to the left arm in a 58-year-old male. What priority level should this call receive?
- Low — chest pain is common and rarely serious
- Moderate — send units when available
- High — potential cardiac emergency requiring immediate response (Correct answer)
- Hold for a supervisor to assess
Correct answer: High — potential cardiac emergency requiring immediate response
Chest pain with arm radiation in a middle-aged male are classic heart attack symptoms and demand an immediate Priority 1 response.
Question 4: Which factor most directly upgrades a domestic disturbance call to a Priority 1 response?
- Loud arguing reported by a neighbor
- Presence of a weapon or confirmed violence in progress (Correct answer)
- History of prior calls at the address
- Caller is visibly upset
Correct answer: Presence of a weapon or confirmed violence in progress
A confirmed weapon or active violence elevates a disturbance to an immediate life-safety event requiring Priority 1 dispatch.
Question 5: A caller reports a gas leak inside a residential building with occupants still inside. What is the correct dispatch priority?
- Low — gas leaks rarely ignite
- Moderate — dispatch when fire units are available
- High — immediate dispatch of fire and possible evacuation (Correct answer)
- Non-emergency — refer caller to the utility company
Correct answer: High — immediate dispatch of fire and possible evacuation
An active gas leak with occupants present is a life-safety hazard requiring immediate fire department response and potential evacuation.
Question 6: When two Priority 1 calls come in simultaneously and only one unit is available, what is the best immediate action?
- Dispatch to the call that came in first
- Dispatch to the call with the greatest immediate threat to life (Correct answer)
- Wait until a second unit is available before dispatching either
- Flip a coin to remain unbiased
Correct answer: Dispatch to the call with the greatest immediate threat to life
When resources are limited, the call posing the greatest immediate threat to human life takes precedence over arrival order.
Question 7: A caller reports a structure fire with a person confirmed trapped inside. Which resource should be dispatched first?
- Police only, to secure the scene
- Fire department with simultaneous EMS staging (Correct answer)
- Animal control to clear the area
- Utility crew to cut power
Correct answer: Fire department with simultaneous EMS staging
Structure fires with entrapment require fire suppression and rescue as the primary response with EMS staged for victim treatment.
911 Operator Test Emergency Call Prioritization 2
A caller reports a minor fender-bender with no injuries while simultaneously another caller reports a person collapsed and unresponsive.
Which call receives the highest priority?