911 Operator Test Information Recall and Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A caller describes a suspect fleeing in 'a blue four-door sedan going east on Highway 12 about 2 minutes ago.' What limitation does this information have?
- The vehicle description is too vague to be useful
- The time delay means the suspect's location has likely changed (Correct answer)
- Highway information is not actionable for patrol officers
- The caller should have provided a license plate
Correct answer: The time delay means the suspect's location has likely changed
A 2-minute-old location for a moving vehicle means the suspect could be significantly farther away, making the stated location outdated.
Question 2: During a call, a hysterical caller is speaking too fast for the dispatcher to capture accurate information. What is the BEST approach?
- Hang up and wait for the caller to calm down before calling back
- Firmly but calmly ask the caller to slow down and repeat the key details (Correct answer)
- Dispatch units based on partial information and hope for the best
- Transfer the call to a supervisor immediately
Correct answer: Firmly but calmly ask the caller to slow down and repeat the key details
A calm, firm request to slow down helps gather accurate information without dismissing the caller or delaying the response.
Question 3: A caller reports: 'There's a fight outside Murphy's Bar, 5th and Central.' What is the MOST important follow-up question?
- How long has the fight been going on?
- Are any weapons involved? (Correct answer)
- How many people are watching?
- Has this happened before at this location?
Correct answer: Are any weapons involved?
The presence of weapons is the highest-priority follow-up because it directly affects the safety of responding officers.
Question 4: What does the acronym 'CAD' stand for in emergency communications?
- Central Alert Dispatch
- Computer-Aided Dispatch (Correct answer)
- Caller Assessment Database
- Critical Area Designation
Correct answer: Computer-Aided Dispatch
CAD stands for Computer-Aided Dispatch, the system used to log calls, assign resources, and track incident information.
Question 5: A caller says a child is not breathing and is unconscious. The dispatcher has already sent EMS. What should the dispatcher do next?
- End the call since help is on the way
- Begin pre-arrival CPR instructions while keeping the caller on the line (Correct answer)
- Ask the caller to drive the child to the hospital
- Transfer the call to the hospital's emergency department
Correct answer: Begin pre-arrival CPR instructions while keeping the caller on the line
Dispatchers trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) provide pre-arrival instructions to improve patient outcomes before EMS arrives.
Question 6: A caller provides a business name but no street address. Which resource should a 911 operator use FIRST to locate the address?
- Ask the caller to look it up online
- Check ANI/ALI data or a CAD-integrated address database (Correct answer)
- Call the non-emergency line for that business
- Wait for the caller to recall the address on their own
Correct answer: Check ANI/ALI data or a CAD-integrated address database
ANI/ALI (Automatic Number Identification/Automatic Location Identification) and CAD databases allow dispatchers to quickly verify or locate addresses.
Question 7: When logging a call, a dispatcher records the nature of the incident as 'disturbance' rather than the more specific 'domestic violence.' Why does this distinction matter?
- It doesn't matter as long as officers are dispatched
- The specific nature determines the type and number of resources sent and officer preparation (Correct answer)
- Only supervisors need specific incident classifications
- Specific codes are only used for reporting, not for dispatch
Correct answer: The specific nature determines the type and number of resources sent and officer preparation
Incident type determines resource allocation, officer safety protocols, and legal reporting requirements, so specificity is critical.
911 Operator Test Information Recall and Comprehension 3
A caller describes a suspect fleeing in 'a blue four-door sedan going east on Highway 12 about 2 minutes ago.' What limitation does this information have?