Mixed Deck — All CritiCall Dispatcher Test Topics Flashcards
99 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 20 Mixed Deck — All CritiCall Dispatcher Test Topics flashcards as text
What is the fastest way to improve typing speed?
Answer: By focusing on accuracy and consistency first.
The fastest way to improve typing speed is counter-intuitively by prioritizing accuracy and consistency over raw speed initially. Building a solid foundation of correct finger placement and rhythm reduces errors, which in turn prevents time lost on corrections. Once accuracy is established, speed will naturally increase with practice without sacrificing precision.
A log entry reads: 'Caller reports male subject pacing outside bank, making calls on cell phone, wearing all black, looking into windows.' What should the dispatcher consider when evaluating this call?
Answer: Dispatch a unit to investigate—the behavior is suspicious and warrants a check
Suspicious behavior near a bank warrants a police check even without a confirmed crime in progress, as early intervention can prevent crimes.
A unit travels east, then turns right, then turns right again. Which direction is it heading?
Answer: West
Two right turns from east result in heading west.
Pick the right spelling.
Answer: pigeon
This question tests common English spelling. The correct spelling of the word is 'pigeon,' with the 'eo' vowel combination. Options A, C, and D present common misspellings, often transposing the vowels or using incorrect vowel combinations.
A caller describes an armed robbery in progress at a store. The correct action is to:
Answer: Dispatch police immediately and keep gathering details
An in-progress armed robbery is an active danger requiring immediate police response.
An alert reads: 'Hazmat situation at 800 Industrial Blvd. Unknown chemical spill. Wind from SW at 12 mph. Evacuate 500-ft radius.' Which direction should evacuation routes be directed?
Answer: Away from the southwest, toward the northeast
Evacuation should move people upwind (away from southwest, toward northeast) to avoid exposure to the airborne chemical.
You are entering a vehicle description while a second caller is placed on hold. The priority is to:
Answer: Finish the description, then return to the held caller
Completing the active data entry before switching prevents lost information, unless the held call is a higher emergency.
A unit is traveling at 60 mph and needs to reach an incident 3 miles away. Approximately how many minutes will it take?
Answer: 3 minutes
At 60 mph, a vehicle travels 1 mile per minute. 3 miles ÷ 1 mile/min = 3 minutes.
What does the abbreviation 'ETA' stand for in dispatch communications?
Answer: Estimated Time of Arrival
ETA stands for 'Estimated Time of Arrival,' used to communicate how long it will take a unit to reach the scene or destination.
A vehicle heading north turns left, then left again, then right. Which direction is it now heading?
Answer: East
North to left is west, left again is south, then right from south is east.
A caller reports a vehicle fire on the highway and then the line goes silent. What is the BEST immediate action?
Answer: Dispatch fire and EMS units to the last known location while attempting to re-establish contact
When contact is lost during an active emergency, dispatchers must act on the last known information and dispatch appropriate units immediately.
What is the purpose of 'active listening' in emergency dispatch?
Answer: To fully comprehend both verbal and emotional cues from callers to extract accurate information
Active listening involves processing tone, words, and emotional state to gather the most complete and accurate picture of an emergency situation.
A dispatcher is handling a high-volume period and takes 8 calls in 30 minutes. Afterward, a supervisor asks how many were medical emergencies. The dispatcher recalls: 3 traffic calls, 2 domestics, 1 noise complaint, 1 cardiac arrest, and 1 unconscious person. How many were medical emergencies?
Answer: 2
The cardiac arrest and unconscious person calls are both medical emergencies, totaling 2.
An officer driving south needs to reach an address that is directly behind them. Which way should they turn at the next intersection to begin heading back?
Answer: Make a U-turn to head north
Directly behind a southbound vehicle is north, requiring a reversal.
How can you ensure that your message is understood clearly during a call?
Answer: Use clear language, check for understanding, and confirm the message.
To ensure your message is clearly understood, using clear and concise language minimizes ambiguity. Actively checking for understanding, such as asking if they have questions, engages the customer and allows for immediate clarification. Confirming the message ensures both parties are on the same page, preventing future issues and fostering effective communication.
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?
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.
On the prioritization portion, which call should be handled first?
Answer: A reported armed robbery in progress
An armed robbery in progress is a life-threatening emergency and takes priority.
You need to describe a location to a unit using the clock-face method. A suspect last seen is directly to the left of the unit's forward direction. What clock position is that?
Answer: 9 o'clock
In the clock-face method, 12 o'clock is forward, 3 o'clock is directly right, 9 o'clock is directly left, and 6 o'clock is directly behind.
A dispatcher enters an incident time as '1430' but the actual time reported was '1340'. This is an example of what kind of data entry error?
Answer: Transposition error
A transposition error occurs when two or more characters are entered in the wrong order — '1430' versus '1340' swaps the '4' and '3' digit positions.
A note in a call log reads: 'RP is hearing impaired, using TTY device.' How should the dispatcher adjust their communication?
Answer: Use short, clear typed responses without abbreviations through the TTY relay
TTY (text telephone) users communicate through typed relay; dispatchers should use clear, brief language and avoid spoken-only abbreviations.