CritiCall Dispatcher Test Dispatcher Map Reading and Directions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A unit traveling westbound on Central Avenue reaches an intersection and is told to turn to head toward the river, which runs along the southern edge of the city. Which turn should the unit make?
- Turn left (south) (Correct answer)
- Turn right (north)
- Continue straight (west)
- Make a U-turn (east)
Correct answer: Turn left (south)
If the unit is traveling west and the river is to the south, a left turn from westbound travel puts the unit heading south — toward the river. Right would go north, away from the river.
Question 2: Dispatch receives a call about a vehicle fire 'at the third block east of City Hall on Broad Street.' City Hall sits at Broad Street and 1st Avenue. What address block should units be directed to?
- Broad St and 4th Ave (Correct answer)
- Broad St and 3rd Ave
- Broad St and 2nd Ave
- Broad St and 1st Ave
Correct answer: Broad St and 4th Ave
City Hall is at 1st Ave. The first block east is between 1st and 2nd Ave, the second is between 2nd and 3rd Ave, and the third block east puts units at the intersection of Broad St and 4th Ave.
Question 3: A unit is parked facing south on Oak Street. The officer reports a suspect running to the officer's left. In which cardinal direction is the suspect fleeing?
- East (Correct answer)
- West
- North
- South
Correct answer: East
When facing south, your left hand points east. So a suspect running to the officer's left is fleeing eastbound.
Question 4: You are directing a unit from Point A in the northwest quadrant of the city to Point B in the southeast quadrant. The most direct path crosses a bridge that is currently closed. Which alternative routing strategy is MOST appropriate?
- Identify the next nearest bridge or crossing and route the unit via that alternate path (Correct answer)
- Tell the unit to wait until the bridge reopens
- Route the unit in a full loop around the entire city perimeter
- Ask the unit to use the closed bridge anyway if the situation is urgent
Correct answer: Identify the next nearest bridge or crossing and route the unit via that alternate path
The correct dispatcher action is to immediately identify an alternate crossing and reroute. Waiting, using a closed bridge, or routing around the full perimeter all delay or endanger the response.
Question 5: A caller describes their location as 'the southwest corner of the park.' On a standard north-up map, which corner of the park's boundary box represents the southwest corner?
- Bottom-left corner of the park (Correct answer)
- Bottom-right corner of the park
- Top-left corner of the park
- Top-right corner of the park
Correct answer: Bottom-left corner of the park
On a north-up map, south is at the bottom and west is to the left. The southwest corner is therefore the bottom-left corner of any mapped area.
Question 6: Two units are approaching the same intersection from different directions — Unit 1 from the north heading south, and Unit 2 from the west heading east. At the intersection, Unit 1 is told to contain the north side. Which side should Unit 2 be directed to contain to prevent a suspect from escaping westbound?
- The west side (Correct answer)
- The east side
- The south side
- The north side
Correct answer: The west side
A suspect fleeing westbound would exit through the west side of the intersection. Unit 2, which arrived from the west, is already positioned to cover that egress point and should be directed to contain the west side.
CritiCall Dispatcher Test Dispatcher Map Reading and Directions 1
A unit traveling westbound on Central Avenue reaches an intersection and is told to turn to head toward the river, which runs along the southern edge of the city.
Which turn should the unit make?