Call Handling Flashcards
6 cards from real CritiCall Dispatcher Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Call Handling flashcards as text
Which piece of information should a dispatcher obtain FIRST when answering a 911 call?
Answer: The location of the emergency
Location is the most critical first piece of information because it determines where to send help. Everything else is secondary.
A caller describes chest pain and difficulty breathing in a 70-year-old. What type of call is this classified as?
Answer: Priority 1 life-threatening medical emergency
Chest pain and breathing difficulty in an elderly person are classic cardiac/respiratory emergency indicators classified as Priority 1.
What is the primary purpose of reading an incident report back to the caller for confirmation?
Answer: To verify accuracy and correct any errors before dispatching units
Reading back confirms key details are accurate. Errors caught at this stage prevent misdirected or improperly resourced responses.
A caller requests an ambulance for a non-life-threatening situation while a simultaneous caller reports an active shooting. How should you prioritize?
Answer: Immediately handle the active shooting call while flagging the ambulance call for the next available dispatcher
Active threats to life supersede non-life-threatening calls. Priority triage requires assigning the most urgent resource immediately.
What does it mean when a dispatch center uses 'CAD' (Computer-Aided Dispatch)?
Answer: Software that automates the logging, prioritizing, and routing of emergency calls and units
CAD systems are core tools in modern dispatch centers, automating call logging, unit tracking, and response routing.
A dispatcher receives a call from a child who seems frightened but cannot clearly describe the situation. What is the BEST response?
Answer: Ask simple yes/no questions to gather basic information and immediately dispatch units to the address
Child callers require adapted questioning. Using yes/no questions extracts critical information while keeping the child calm, and location data from the call can trigger immediate dispatch.