PSD Crisis Management & Decision-Making Skills 2

Question 1

A caller reports a multi-vehicle accident with possible entrapment and fires. What is the dispatcher's FIRST priority?

Accepted Answer

Dispatch fire, EMS, and law enforcement simultaneously

Answer

Multi-hazard incidents require immediate simultaneous dispatch of all relevant resources to minimize response time.

Question 2

During a mass casualty incident, a dispatcher receives calls from five different witnesses with conflicting information. What is the best approach?

Accepted Answer

Dispatch based on the worst-case scenario reported and update units as information clarifies

Answer

Dispatching based on the worst-case scenario ensures adequate resources are sent while updates refine the response.

Question 3

A dispatcher is managing three simultaneous high-priority calls. Which action best demonstrates effective crisis prioritization?

Accepted Answer

Assess life-safety threat levels and dispatch units to the most critical incident first

Answer

Triage-based prioritization ensures that incidents posing the greatest immediate threat to life receive resources first.

Question 4

A caller becomes hysterical and is unable to provide a location during a medical emergency. What should the dispatcher do?

Accepted Answer

Use calm, directive questioning and attempt to obtain location through ANI/ALI data

Answer

Using structured questioning combined with ANI/ALI technology helps gather critical location data even when callers are distressed.

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes the 'rule of nines' as it relates to a dispatcher's role in burn victim calls?

Accepted Answer

A body surface area estimation tool dispatchers relay to EMS to help determine severity

Answer

The rule of nines estimates the percentage of body surface area burned, helping dispatchers provide EMS with severity information.

(PSD) Certified Public Safety Dispatcher Practice Test