PSD Telecommunications Technology and 9-1-1 Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'heartbeat' signal in PSAP equipment monitoring?
- It records call volume statistics hourly
- It is a periodic signal confirming a system or circuit is operational (Correct answer)
- It alerts dispatchers to incoming priority calls
- It synchronizes clocks across multiple PSAPs
Correct answer: It is a periodic signal confirming a system or circuit is operational
A heartbeat signal is a routine status check sent between systems to confirm they remain active and functional.
Question 2: Which type of 9-1-1 call originates from a VoIP service and may present unique challenges for location accuracy?
- Wireless Phase II call
- Nomadic VoIP call (Correct answer)
- Landline POTS call
- Satellite phone call
Correct answer: Nomadic VoIP call
Nomadic VoIP calls are made from internet-based phone services that can be used from any location, making registered address data unreliable.
Question 3: In a 9-1-1 PSAP, what does CAD stand for?
- Call Accounting Database
- Computer-Aided Dispatch (Correct answer)
- Centralized Alert Display
- Communications Asset Directory
Correct answer: Computer-Aided Dispatch
CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) is the software platform used to create, manage, and track incident records and dispatching.
Question 4: A dispatcher notices the 9-1-1 trunk group shows all trunks busy. What does this indicate?
- The PSAP is in Night Mode
- All incoming 9-1-1 lines are in use and new callers may receive a busy signal (Correct answer)
- The selective router has rerouted calls
- The ALI database is offline
Correct answer: All incoming 9-1-1 lines are in use and new callers may receive a busy signal
When all trunks are busy, new 9-1-1 callers cannot connect until a trunk becomes available, risking delayed emergency response.
Question 5: What is the function of a PSAP's logging recorder?
- Stores CAD incident reports for billing
- Records all incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communications (Correct answer)
- Monitors dispatcher performance metrics in real time
- Backs up the ALI database nightly
Correct answer: Records all incoming and outgoing telephone and radio communications
The logging recorder captures all voice communications for quality assurance, liability documentation, and incident review.
Question 6: Which feature allows a PSAP to automatically transfer a 9-1-1 call along with its ANI/ALI data to another PSAP?
- Selective Transfer (Correct answer)
- Blind Transfer
- Speed Dial Routing
- Overflow Routing
Correct answer: Selective Transfer
Selective Transfer sends the call and its associated ANI/ALI data to the receiving PSAP, preserving caller location information.
Question 7: What does 'TTY' or 'TDD' allow in a 9-1-1 context?
- Tracking of telephone towers by dispatch
- Text communication for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing (Correct answer)
- Transfer of calls to tertiary dispatch centers
- Time-division multiplexing of 9-1-1 trunks
Correct answer: Text communication for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing
TTY/TDD devices allow individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to send text over telephone lines to communicate with a PSAP.
PSD Telecommunications Technology and 9-1-1 Systems 3
What is the purpose of a 'heartbeat' signal in PSAP equipment monitoring?