CHP Emergency Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: At a multi-vehicle traffic collision on a California freeway, what is the FIRST action a CHP officer should take upon arrival?
- Begin interviewing witnesses
- Size up the scene for hazards before approaching (Correct answer)
- Direct traffic around the collision
- Call for additional units
Correct answer: Size up the scene for hazards before approaching
A scene size-up to identify hazards such as fire, fuel leaks, downed power lines, or oncoming traffic is always the first step upon arrival at any collision.
Question 2: Under California's "Move Over" law, what must drivers do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with activated lights?
- Slow to 25 mph regardless of speed limit
- Move one lane away or slow to a safe speed if unable to move over (Correct answer)
- Stop completely until the emergency vehicle moves
- Maintain normal speed but increase following distance
Correct answer: Move one lane away or slow to a safe speed if unable to move over
California Vehicle Code Section 21809 requires drivers to move one lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle or, if not possible, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed.
Question 3: When establishing a traffic break on a freeway, a CHP officer should weave the patrol vehicle across lanes at approximately what speed?
- 5–10 mph
- 15–20 mph (Correct answer)
- 25–30 mph
- 35–40 mph
Correct answer: 15–20 mph
A traffic break is conducted at 15–20 mph to safely slow and stop following traffic while the hazard ahead is addressed.
Question 4: At a major injury collision, a CHP officer determines one victim is trapped and unresponsive. Which resource should be requested?
- Coroner only
- Fire department with extrication equipment and paramedics (Correct answer)
- Tow truck and ambulance
- Air ambulance only
Correct answer: Fire department with extrication equipment and paramedics
An unresponsive trapped victim requires both fire department extrication capability and paramedics to provide immediate medical care upon release.
Question 5: During a traffic incident, a CHP officer notices a strong smell of natural gas near a vehicle. The officer should immediately:
- Place flares around the perimeter
- Move all persons upwind and away from the area and notify the gas company (Correct answer)
- Ventilate the area by opening vehicle doors
- Determine if the vehicle ignition is off before taking any action
Correct answer: Move all persons upwind and away from the area and notify the gas company
A natural gas smell requires immediate evacuation of everyone to an upwind location and notification of the utility company and fire department.
Question 6: The NIMS Incident Command System (ICS) used at CHP major incidents assigns overall management responsibility to the:
- Operations Section Chief
- Incident Commander (Correct answer)
- Logistics Section Chief
- Senior Officer on scene
Correct answer: Incident Commander
The Incident Commander holds overall management authority and responsibility for all activities at an ICS-managed incident.
Question 7: At a freeway incident scene, temporary traffic control using cones should begin at minimum how many feet behind the collision?
- 100 feet
- 200 feet
- 500 feet (Correct answer)
- 1,000 feet
Correct answer: 500 feet
CHP protocols require advance warning devices to begin at least 500 feet upstream of a freeway incident to give drivers adequate reaction time.
CHP Emergency Response 3
At a multi-vehicle traffic collision on a California freeway, what is the FIRST action a CHP officer should take upon arrival?