CED Crisis Management & Decision-Making 2

Question 1

A caller reports a multi-vehicle highway accident with possible entrapment. What is the dispatcher's FIRST priority?

Accepted Answer

Dispatch appropriate resources while gathering additional information

Answer

Dispatching resources immediately while continuing to gather information minimizes response delay and follows the simultaneous dispatch principle.

Question 2

During a large-scale emergency, multiple units request guidance simultaneously. The best strategy is to:

Accepted Answer

Prioritize life-safety requests first, then property and resource needs

Answer

Triage of communications mirrors triage of patients — life-safety transmissions always take precedence.

Question 3

A caller becomes hysterical and cannot provide a location. Which technique should a dispatcher use FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Use ANI/ALI data to identify location while calmly coaching the caller

Answer

ANI/ALI provides automated location data while the dispatcher simultaneously works to calm the caller, ensuring response is not delayed.

Question 4

Which decision-making model is most commonly recommended for emergency dispatchers under stress?

Accepted Answer

Recognition-Primed Decision (RPD) model

Answer

The RPD model allows experienced dispatchers to quickly recognize situations and act on trained patterns, which is ideal under time pressure.

Question 5

An off-duty officer calls in to report a situation and wants to handle it without official dispatch. The dispatcher should:

Accepted Answer

Document the call and dispatch appropriate resources per standard protocol

Answer

Protocol requires proper documentation and dispatch regardless of the caller's credentials, ensuring accountability and officer safety.

(CED) Certified Emergency Dispatcher Practice Test