PSD Call Classification and Prioritization Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A caller reports seeing someone slumped over a steering wheel in a parked car. What information is most critical to classify the call correctly?
- The make and model of the vehicle
- Whether the person is breathing and responsive (Correct answer)
- How long the car has been parked
- Whether parking is legal at that location
Correct answer: Whether the person is breathing and responsive
Determining if the person is breathing and responsive is the key factor that distinguishes a medical emergency (Priority 1) from a welfare check (lower priority).
Question 2: In the Priority Dispatch system, what does the suffix 'D' (e.g., 32-D-2) indicate?
- Delta — the most critical response level (Correct answer)
- Delta — delayed response authorized
- Delta — dispatcher-initiated call
- Delta — duplicate call received
Correct answer: Delta — the most critical response level
In MPDS/FPDS, the letter 'D' (Delta) indicates the most life-threatening determinant level, requiring the most urgent response.
Question 3: Which scenario is the best example of a Priority 2 (urgent) police call?
- Active shooter inside a school
- A fender-bender with no injuries, vehicles blocking traffic (Correct answer)
- A report of graffiti found this morning
- A request for a noise ordinance check
Correct answer: A fender-bender with no injuries, vehicles blocking traffic
A traffic accident blocking a roadway with no injuries is urgent due to secondary collision risk, making it Priority 2 — not life-threatening but requiring a prompt response.
Question 4: When a caller's account of an incident changes significantly during the call, the dispatcher should:
- Retain the original priority assigned at call intake
- Reassess and update the priority based on new information (Correct answer)
- End the call and start a new incident report
- Ask a supervisor to take over the call
Correct answer: Reassess and update the priority based on new information
Call classification must be dynamic; dispatchers are trained to continuously reassess and upgrade or downgrade priority as new information is received.
Question 5: A child calls 9-1-1 reporting their parent is 'acting weird and won't wake up.' What is the dispatcher's first priority?
- Determine the child's age before proceeding
- Classify as Priority 1 and begin EMS pre-arrival instructions (Correct answer)
- Advise the child to call a neighbor
- Wait for an adult to confirm the situation
Correct answer: Classify as Priority 1 and begin EMS pre-arrival instructions
An unresponsive person reported by any caller — including a child — immediately triggers Priority 1 classification and pre-arrival instructions.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of call triage in a public safety answering point (PSAP)?
- To reduce dispatcher workload
- To allocate limited resources efficiently based on urgency (Correct answer)
- To eliminate low-priority calls from the queue
- To document incidents for legal purposes
Correct answer: To allocate limited resources efficiently based on urgency
Call triage ensures that the most urgent calls receive immediate resources while others are queued appropriately, maximizing efficient use of limited responders.
Question 7: A caller reports a structure fire with people possibly trapped inside. Which agencies should typically be dispatched simultaneously?
- Fire only — EMS and police are secondary
- Fire and EMS simultaneously; police optional based on protocol (Correct answer)
- Police only until fire units are available
- EMS only until scene is declared safe
Correct answer: Fire and EMS simultaneously; police optional based on protocol
Structure fires with possible entrapment require simultaneous dispatch of fire (suppression/rescue) and EMS (medical standby), with police per local protocol.
PSD Call Classification and Prioritization Protocols 3
A caller reports seeing someone slumped over a steering wheel in a parked car.
What information is most critical to classify the call correctly?