MPOETC Emergency Response Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), what is the recommended maximum span of control for a supervisor?
- 2–4 subordinates
- 3–7 subordinates (Correct answer)
- 8–10 subordinates
- No defined limit
Correct answer: 3–7 subordinates
NIMS recommends a span of control ratio of 1:5 (one supervisor to five subordinates), with an acceptable range of 1:3 to 1:7.
Question 2: An officer encounters a vehicle that struck a utility pole, downing live power lines across the road. What is the SAFEST immediate action?
- Drive over the lines to reach the victim quickly
- Approach on foot staying at least 30 feet away
- Call the power company and establish a safe perimeter (Correct answer)
- Use a baton to move the lines off the vehicle
Correct answer: Call the power company and establish a safe perimeter
Downed power lines require the utility company to de-energize the lines; officers must establish a perimeter and keep everyone away until that occurs.
Question 3: During a bomb threat call, officers are told an explosive device is in a building. What is the FIRST step?
- Search the building immediately
- Evacuate occupants and establish a perimeter (Correct answer)
- Use radio communications to coordinate inside the building
- Detonate the device in a controlled manner
Correct answer: Evacuate occupants and establish a perimeter
Evacuating the building and establishing a safe perimeter protects lives while awaiting the bomb disposal unit.
Question 4: What is 'secondary device awareness' in the context of bombing or explosion scenes?
- Using a second radio channel for communications
- The possibility that a second explosive is placed to target responders (Correct answer)
- A backup detonation system
- Documenting evidence with a second camera
Correct answer: The possibility that a second explosive is placed to target responders
Secondary devices are explosives deliberately placed near primary blast sites to injure or kill emergency responders who rush to help.
Question 5: A child is reported missing from a local park. Which protocol is typically activated for endangered missing children?
- AMBER Alert (Correct answer)
- Code Adam
- Silver Alert
- Missing Person Bulletin
Correct answer: AMBER Alert
The AMBER Alert system is the national broadcast system activated for abducted children believed to be in imminent danger.
Question 6: When dealing with a person experiencing a mental health crisis who is not violent, what approach is MOST effective?
- Approach loudly with multiple officers to show force
- Use calm, clear communication and give the person space (Correct answer)
- Immediately apply handcuffs as a precaution
- Withdraw and wait for a mental health professional before speaking
Correct answer: Use calm, clear communication and give the person space
De-escalation through calm speech and providing personal space is the recommended first approach for non-violent mental health crises.
Question 7: In a multi-agency emergency response, what is the purpose of a Unified Command structure?
- To place one agency in complete charge over all others
- To allow agencies with different jurisdictions to manage an incident jointly (Correct answer)
- To eliminate the need for an Incident Commander
- To ensure federal agencies always lead the response
Correct answer: To allow agencies with different jurisdictions to manage an incident jointly
Unified Command allows multiple agencies with jurisdictional or functional responsibility to manage an incident together under one integrated plan.
MPOETC Emergency Response Procedures 3
Under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), what is the recommended maximum span of control for a supervisor?