Practice Test Geeks(PSD) Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Practice Test
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Telecommunications Technology and 9-1-1 Systems 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.

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  1. What is the standard, nationally recognized abbreviation a dispatcher should use to open communication with a TDD/TTY user?

    Answer: GA (Go Ahead)

    The standard greeting is the agency's name or abbreviation, followed by '911', and then 'GA', which stands for 'Go Ahead'. This immediately signals to the silent caller that they have reached a TDD/TTY-equipped call taker and invites them to begin typing their message.

  2. Which of the following capabilities is a key feature of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) that is not available in traditional E9-1-1 systems?

    Answer: Receiving text messages, images, and video.

    NG9-1-1 is an IP-based system that allows for the transmission of digital data beyond just voice. This enables the public to send text messages, images, and videos to 9-1-1 centers, providing dispatchers with more detailed and accurate information about an emergency.

  3. In the context of a 9-1-1 call, what is the difference between ANI and ALI?

    Answer: ANI is the phone number, and ALI is the location information.

    ANI stands for Automatic Number Identification, which is the caller's phone number. ALI stands for Automatic Location Information, which is the address or geographical coordinates associated with that number. The ANI is delivered to the PSAP first, which then uses it to query the ALI database for the location.

  4. Upon receiving a 'silent' or 'open-line' 9-1-1 call where no voice is heard, what is the dispatcher's first priority after ensuring the line is open?

    Answer: Initiate a TDD/TTY query to check for a silent communicator.

    A silent call could be from someone who cannot speak or make noise, such as during a home invasion, or from a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired. The standard procedure is to perform a TDD/TTY query to determine if the caller is attempting to communicate via a text device.

  5. What is the function of a 'selective router' in the E9-1-1 network infrastructure?

    Answer: It directs 9-1-1 calls to the correct PSAP based on the caller's location.

    The selective router is a specialized switch in the telephone network that serves as the 'brain' of the 9-1-1 system. It analyzes the caller's phone number (ANI) and uses a database to determine which Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is responsible for that location, then routes the call accordingly.

  6. What is a primary challenge that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology presents for 9-1-1 systems?

    Answer: VoIP makes it difficult to accurately determine the caller's physical location.

    Traditional phone lines have a fixed physical location. VoIP services can be used anywhere with an internet connection, making it difficult to automatically and accurately determine the caller's current physical location. While advancements have been made, this 'nomadic' nature of VoIP remains a challenge for providing precise ALI data to dispatchers.

  7. What does the acronym 'PSAP' stand for in the field of emergency communications?

    Answer: Public Safety Answering Point

    PSAP stands for Public Safety Answering Point. This is the official term for a 9-1-1 call center or communications facility where 9-1-1 calls are received and then processed, and where dispatching of police, fire, or EMS resources is initiated.