Emergency Call Handling Protocols Flashcards
7 cards from real PSD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Call Handling Protocols flashcards as text
A caller reports a neighbor's child has been outside alone for hours and appears distressed. Which agency should be dispatched?
Answer: Law enforcement, and possibly child protective services notification
A potentially neglected or endangered child is a law enforcement matter, and CPS may need to be notified depending on jurisdiction protocol.
What is the purpose of 'call verification' before dispatching a burglar alarm?
Answer: To reduce false alarm dispatches by contacting the premises or key holder first
Enhanced call verification (ECV) reduces false alarm dispatches by attempting to reach the subscriber or keyholder before sending units.
During a flood event, a caller says water is rising rapidly inside their vehicle. What is the dispatcher's most critical instruction?
Answer: Instruct them to exit the vehicle immediately if safe and move to higher ground
Rapid vehicle flooding is immediately life-threatening; the standard protocol is to exit the vehicle before water immobilizes the doors.
A caller asks the dispatcher to 'just send someone' without providing details about the emergency. What should the dispatcher do?
Answer: Attempt to gather minimum location and nature-of-call information while dispatching based on what is known
Dispatchers should gather at minimum a location and dispatch the most appropriate unit while continuing to obtain details from the caller.
When handling a call involving a subject in mental health crisis, which approach is generally recommended first?
Answer: Dispatch law enforcement and, if available, coordinate a mental health co-responder or CIT officer
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officers or co-responder mental health units are preferred to de-escalate mental health crises safely.
A caller reporting a house fire suddenly goes silent and the line remains open. What should the dispatcher do?
Answer: Continue broadcasting the address, attempt to re-engage the caller, and advise responding units of possible victim inside
A silent open line during a fire call may indicate the caller is incapacitated; dispatchers should treat this as a potential victim-inside scenario.
Which of the following best describes 'interrogation' in the context of emergency call handling?
Answer: Systematically questioning the caller to obtain complete and accurate incident information
In dispatch terminology, 'interrogation' refers to structured questioning techniques used to extract necessary incident details from a caller quickly.