911 Operator Test Geographic Knowledge and Map Reading 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'jurisdiction boundary file' loaded into a CAD mapping system?
- To block calls from outside the city
- To automatically route calls to the correct agency based on the caller's geographic location (Correct answer)
- To display historical crime statistics by area
- To limit the number of units dispatched per zone
Correct answer: To automatically route calls to the correct agency based on the caller's geographic location
Jurisdiction boundary files allow CAD to automatically identify which agency is responsible for a given location and route the call accordingly.
Question 2: A caller reports a structure fire at '500 Oak Street' but there are two Oak Streets in the dispatch area. What should the dispatcher do first?
- Dispatch to both Oak Streets simultaneously
- Ask the caller for a cross street, zip code, or other identifying detail to determine the correct location (Correct answer)
- Flip a coin and document the decision
- Wait for the caller to provide more information without prompting
Correct answer: Ask the caller for a cross street, zip code, or other identifying detail to determine the correct location
When duplicate street names exist, the dispatcher must immediately gather clarifying information to avoid sending responders to the wrong location.
Question 3: In map reading, what does a 'scale bar' indicate?
- The bar represents the highest elevation on the map
- It shows the ratio between map distances and actual real-world distances (Correct answer)
- It marks the boundary between two jurisdictions
- It indicates priority response corridors
Correct answer: It shows the ratio between map distances and actual real-world distances
A scale bar on a map provides a visual reference that allows users to convert distances on the map to actual physical distances.
Question 4: A caller states they are at a location with no street address, only a GPS coordinate. What should the dispatcher do?
- Refuse the call until an address is provided
- Enter the coordinates into the CAD mapping system or relay them to responders for GPS navigation (Correct answer)
- Ask the caller to find the nearest street sign
- Automatically treat it as a non-emergency
Correct answer: Enter the coordinates into the CAD mapping system or relay them to responders for GPS navigation
GPS coordinates can be entered directly into CAD or provided to responders using GPS devices to locate the caller even without a traditional address.
Question 5: What geographic feature is most important to note when dispatching to a location described as being 'across the bridge'?
- The height clearance of the bridge
- The specific bridge name and which body of water it crosses, to avoid confusion with nearby bridges (Correct answer)
- The number of lanes on the bridge
- Whether the bridge has a toll
Correct answer: The specific bridge name and which body of water it crosses, to avoid confusion with nearby bridges
Identifying the specific bridge by name and the water body it crosses eliminates ambiguity when multiple bridges exist in the same area.
Question 6: A dispatcher notices on the CAD map that the nearest unit to an incident is across a river with no bridge for 5 miles. What should the dispatcher consider?
- Dispatch that unit anyway since map distance is what matters
- Dispatch the next closest unit that has a viable route, accounting for travel obstacles (Correct answer)
- Wait for a helicopter to become available
- Close the incident and reopen it with a different address
Correct answer: Dispatch the next closest unit that has a viable route, accounting for travel obstacles
Map proximity does not always equal fastest response; geographic obstacles like rivers require dispatchers to consider actual road access and travel routes.
Question 7: What does 'GIS' stand for and how is it used in 911 dispatch?
- General Incident System — tracks call history
- Geographic Information System — provides spatial mapping data to support accurate location identification and dispatch (Correct answer)
- Government Identification Service — verifies caller identity
- Grid Intercept Software — scans radio frequencies
Correct answer: Geographic Information System — provides spatial mapping data to support accurate location identification and dispatch
GIS (Geographic Information System) integrates map layers, address data, and spatial analysis to help dispatchers precisely locate incidents and manage resources.
911 Operator Test Geographic Knowledge and Map Reading 5
What is the purpose of a 'jurisdiction boundary file' loaded into a CAD mapping system?