CritiCall Dispatcher Call Prioritization and Decision-Making Questions and Answers

Question 1

You receive four calls simultaneously. Which of the following situations requires the HIGHEST priority for dispatch?

Accepted Answer

A multi-vehicle accident on the highway with reports of serious injuries and road blockage.

Answer

Incidents that pose an immediate and ongoing threat to life are the highest priority. A major vehicle accident with serious injuries is an active, life-threatening event requiring immediate medical and police response. The other options, while requiring a response, are not as time-critical as the active injury accident.

Question 2

A caller reports a man is breaking into their neighbor's house right now. The caller can see the suspect inside the home. This type of call is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

An in-progress crime, requiring immediate dispatch.

Answer

A crime that is happening at the present moment is considered "in-progress." These calls are among the highest priority because there is an immediate threat to life and property, and a chance to apprehend the suspect on scene.

Question 3

When prioritizing multiple incoming calls, which of the following factors is the MOST critical consideration for a dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

The potential for immediate threat to life or property.

Answer

The core principle of call prioritization is to address the most life-threatening situations first. While other factors are important for context, the immediate threat to life or major property is the primary determinant for assigning priority.

Question 4

You receive a call from a person stating their spouse, who has a known heart condition, is experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. At the same time, another line rings with a report of a fistfight outside a bar with no weapons mentioned. How should you prioritize these calls?

Accepted Answer

Dispatch EMS to the chest pain call first, as it is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Answer

A patient with a known heart condition experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing is a classic sign of a heart attack, a time-critical, life-threatening medical emergency. While the fight requires a police response, an immediate medical emergency where life is in imminent danger takes precedence over a fight with no reported weapons.

Question 5

Which of the following is the best example of a 'just occurred' crime?

Accepted Answer

A caller reporting a bank robbery where the suspects fled in a vehicle two minutes ago.

Answer

A 'just occurred' crime is an incident that has concluded, but so recently that responding units have a high probability of apprehending the suspect nearby. A robbery that happened two minutes prior fits this description perfectly, making it a very high priority. An active shooter or ongoing vandalism would be 'in-progress'.

Criticall Test Practice Test

Criticall Test Practice Test

CritiCall Dispatcher Call Prioritization and Decision-Making Questions and Answers