CritiCall Dispatcher Test Multi-tasking Skills 2

Question 1

A dispatcher is actively talking with a caller about a domestic disturbance when a second call comes in reporting a building fire. What is the BEST approach?

Accepted Answer

Place the first caller on a brief hold, answer the fire call, dispatch units, and return to the first caller

Answer

Ignore the second call until the first call is resolved

Answer

Hang up on the first caller immediately

Answer

Transfer the first caller to voicemail

Question 2

Which cognitive skill is MOST critical for managing multiple simultaneous dispatch tasks?

Accepted Answer

Attention switching — the ability to rapidly shift focus between tasks without losing track of any

Answer

Photographic memory

Answer

Ability to work silently

Answer

Mathematical calculation speed

Question 3

You are typing an incident report, monitoring a radio channel, and tracking a unit on the CAD map when your supervisor asks you a question. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Answer briefly without stopping critical tasks, or ask the supervisor to wait a moment if the radio needs immediate attention

Answer

Stop all tasks and focus entirely on the supervisor

Answer

Ignore the supervisor until all tasks are complete

Answer

Transfer all active tasks to a colleague

Question 4

A dispatcher is managing three active incidents when a fourth call comes in. The dispatcher has no available units. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Log the fourth call, assign it a priority, and notify a supervisor that all units are engaged

Answer

Tell the fourth caller to call back later

Answer

Drop the call to avoid overload

Answer

Dispatch units already on scene to the new call immediately

Question 5

What technique do experienced dispatchers use to track multiple active incidents without losing information?

Accepted Answer

Using CAD system status boards, incident queues, and notes to maintain visual tracking of all active calls

Answer

Relying on memory alone

Answer

Handling only one call at a time until fully resolved

Answer

Using paper logs for each call

Question 6

During a multi-tasking assessment, a dispatcher is asked to monitor a scrolling map, listen to audio, and enter data simultaneously. What does this test evaluate?

Accepted Answer

The ability to divide attention across sensory channels and tasks simultaneously — a core dispatch skill

Answer

Physical stamina and keyboard speed only

Answer

Language comprehension alone

Answer

Single-task performance under time pressure