APCO Exam Prep: Key Concepts in Public Safety Communication, Exams of Advanced Education

A series of questions and answers related to public safety communication, specifically focusing on the roles and responsibilities of emergency communicators. It covers topics such as call prioritization, active listening, radio broadcasting protocols, and legal aspects of emergency communication. The material is structured as a midterm exam review, providing insights into the knowledge expected of public safety communication professionals. It includes definitions of key terms, explanations of communication cycle components, and scenarios for handling emergency calls, making it a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field. The document emphasizes the importance of accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism in emergency communication, highlighting the critical role communicators play in ensuring public safety.

Typology: Exams

2024/2025

Available from 08/22/2025

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APCO Midterm Exam 20252026 Accurate Real
Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST
RELEASED
Explain the difference between a "primary PSAP" and a "secondary PSAP". - answer>>>a primary PSAP is
the original answering point and the secondary is the location a call can be transferred to for further
assistance
According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", unlike hearing, which for the most part is a
natural function, listening is a skill that cannot be improved through training and practice in the art of
"active listening" - answer>>>False
According to the APCO article "Customer Service in Emergency Services", when dealing with an upset
caller, you should say things like: - answer>>>Let me help you
The emergency communicator should always verify the: - answer>>>Incident location
According to the APCO article "The art of active listening",reflecting feelings helps the speaker vent
emotions - answer>>>True
According to the APCO article "Customer Service in Emergency Services", the caller gets their first
impression about public safety from: - answer>>>Call taker
According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", non-verbal attending helps the listener stay
focused - answer>>>True
Explain the difference between an observation and an inference. - answer>>>An observation is "the act
or practice of noting and recording facts and events" - observation is based on what a person actually
sees; while an inference is "the deriving of a conclusion based upon something known or assumed" -
inference is based on what a person assumes based on what they observe.
Where the observation is the factual component of what the person actually saw or were told inference
is what the person "assumed" based on this information.
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APCO Midterm Exam 2025–2026 Accurate Real

Exam Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST

RELEASED

Explain the difference between a "primary PSAP" and a "secondary PSAP". - answer>>>a primary PSAP is the original answering point and the secondary is the location a call can be transferred to for further assistance

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", unlike hearing, which for the most part is a natural function, listening is a skill that cannot be improved through training and practice in the art of "active listening" - answer>>>False

According to the APCO article "Customer Service in Emergency Services", when dealing with an upset caller, you should say things like: - answer>>>Let me help you

The emergency communicator should always verify the: - answer>>>Incident location

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening",reflecting feelings helps the speaker vent emotions - answer>>>True

According to the APCO article "Customer Service in Emergency Services", the caller gets their first impression about public safety from: - answer>>>Call taker

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", non-verbal attending helps the listener stay focused - answer>>>True

Explain the difference between an observation and an inference. - answer>>>An observation is "the act or practice of noting and recording facts and events" - observation is based on what a person actually sees; while an inference is "the deriving of a conclusion based upon something known or assumed" - inference is based on what a person assumes based on what they observe.

Where the observation is the factual component of what the person actually saw or were told inference is what the person "assumed" based on this information.

List and describe the five components of the communications cycle. - answer>>>The five components of the communications cycle are:

  1. Sender- The person who initiates the communication
  2. Receiver- The person or group who is the target of the communication
  3. Message- The idea itself, in whatever forms it may be
  4. Medium- The manner in which the message is transfered from the sender to the receiver
  5. Feedback- Communication from the receiver to the sender to verify the message was understood.

Expand on the acronym "RCMP" - answer>>>Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Expand on the acronym "DNR" - answer>>>Do Not Resuscitate

Taking property by force or threat of force is: - answer>>>Robbery

The unauthorized removal or concealment of property - answer>>>Theft

The AMBER Alert system is a nationwide system organized under provincial or regional plans to assist in the recovery of abducted or endangered children - answer>>>True

Family disturbances present the highest potential for assault against responders - answer>>>True

In handling law enforcement calls for service, proper prioritization of calls is essential - answer>>>True

Fires in mobile homes, travel trailers and camping trailers are classified as structure fires - answer>>>False

A program that helps telecommunicators properly categorize emergency EMS calls and provide pre- arrival instructions - answer>>>Emergency Medical Dispatch

The abbreviation "DNR" stands for: - answer>>>do not resuscitate

Probably the most complex and highly skilled part of an emergency communicator's job is the radio - answer>>>True

The "echo procedure" is used in radio transmissions to assign response units - answer>>>False

Clarity means that when you can say something in five words don't say it in twenty - answer>>>False

Radio broadcasts should last no longer than: - answer>>>30 seconds

The abbreviations "BOLO' and "ATL" refer to the same type of radio broadcasts - answer>>>True

The phonetic alphabet is used in radio broadcasting to: - answer>>>distinctly spell words which could be misinterpreted

Any person using profane or obscene language on the radio could be fined but not imprisoned - answer>>>False

The agency that enforces the Communications Act rules which include limitations on power, antenna height and frequency use is: - answer>>>Industry Canada

Performing regular radio status checks on response units can enhance: - answer>>>unit safety

Expand on the acronym "BOLO" - answer>>>Be On The Look Out - BOLO is a broadcast issued from any law enforcement agency to its personnel, or to other law enforcement agencies. It typically contains information about a wanted suspect who is to be arrested or a person of interest, for whom law enforcement officers are to look. They are usually dangerous or missing persons.

BOLO could also apply to a missing or stolen vehicle. Information that is received from the caller should include type of incident, the time lapse, the place of occurrence and any descriptions of vehicles, people and weapons.

Expand on the acronym "ATL" - answer>>>Attempt to Locate - ATL - same as BOLO. In both BOLO and ALT, for multiple suspects in a vehicle, it is sufficient to provide the vehicle description and a brief description of the suspects. include complete physical descriptions and clothing descriptions are not

Call processing is an all-encompassing term for actions that include answering the telephone, handling the conversation and gathering pertinent incident information - answer>>>True

It's OK for a telecommunicator to rely on memory during information gathering - answer>>>False

Most emergency service agencies have a standard greeting for answering the telephone - answer>>>True

Giving legal advice and/or personal opinions to callers is part of a telecommunicator's job - answer>>>False

An accurate description of weapons is critical information for response units - answer>>>True

Explain why it is important to answer call promptly. - answer>>>Each ring feels like an eternity. Caller has a problem and expects public safety to help solve it. Answer it by the third ring.

According to the APCO article "Call Prioritization", one determining factor of a high priority call is - answer>>>the possibility of personal injury

According to the APCO article "Call Prioritization", why should calls be prioritized? - answer>>>more urgent calls require a faster response

According to the APCO article "Call Prioritization", a low priority call can be "bumped" up the priority list if: - answer>>>there are many different calls about the same incident in a short period of time

According to the APCO article "Call Prioritization", when using a CAD system, the computer will: - answer>>>determine the priority of the call from the call type

Define "pertinent information". - answer>>>Five W's

List the five Ws. - answer>>>Where, What, When, Who and Weapons

The vital services of a public safety communication system are to provide communication between the PSAP and - answer>>>the public, agency personnel, other agencies and support services

The concept that encompasses honesty, integrity, humility and accountability is the definition of - answer>>>professionalism

Specific steps or actions to be completed in a specific situation that are found in a communications center would be a: - answer>>>procedure protocol

A system of principle; the rule of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a group is called: - answer>>>Ethics

A process for supplying supplemental personnel, equipment or other resources to assist other agencies in time of need is referred to as: - answer>>>Mutual Aid

Explain the difference between a "primary PSAP" and a "secondary PSAP". - answer>>>a primary PSAP is the original answering point and the secondary is the location a call can be transferred to for further assistance

The component of the communication cycle that is described as "the person or group who is the target of the communication" is - answer>>>Receiver

The five components of the communication cycle are: - answer>>>sender, receiver, message, medium and feedback

The communication cycle component described as "the manner in which a message is transferred from the sender to the receiver" is: - answer>>>Medium

Physically signaling that you are listening is applying the listening technique of: - answer>>>non-verbal attending

Demonstrating an interest and understanding in what is being said by staying focused, asking questions, listening for the main point and listening for the rational behind what is being said is the definition of: - answer>>>Active listening

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening",the five (5) Ws of telecommunicator training are open-ended questions - answer>>>True

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening",reflecting feelings helps the speaker vent emotions - answer>>>True

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", which of the following are examples of non- verbal attending: (select all that apply) - answer>>>nodding

maintaining eye contact

smiling

allowing for pauses

According to the APCO article "The art of active listening", the basic techniques for active listening include: - answer>>>reflecting feelings

open-ended questions

paraphrasing

Reflecting feelings helps the speaker vent emotions - answer>>>True

Repeating in a short declarative statement the emotions or feelings the speaker is communicating is applying the active listening technique of paraphrasing - answer>>>false

A question that can't be answered "yes" or "no" is referred to as an open-ended question - answer>>>True

An observation is deriving a conclusion based upon something known or assumed - answer>>>false

Good customer service means treating callers with diligence, consideration and respect - answer>>>True

Communicators should not judge the severity of the call by the level of emotion expressed by the child. They should always ask if there are any adults present.

Other suggestions include;

Listening for background noise and try to get clarification from the child

Obtaining an address

Avoid big words and dispatcher lingo

Remain patient

Find common ground

Acknowledge the child's fear

Accurately relay the behaviour being described and any background noise without making assumptions

Don't admonish the child for calling 9-1-

Define "pertinent information" - answer>>>The information needed to get response units to the incident location

The information needed to prepare the response units to deal with what may confront them when they get there

Explain the dispatch procedures that are specific to the fire service and EMS. - answer>>>The general aspects stay consistent: once a call reporting a fire or medical emergency is reported, the communicator must alert the station with the minimal information they know (location and incident type/chief complaint) and then they follow up the supplemental information once its gathered.

The process is multi-step like the following:

Notification: Alarm tones are used to specify what kind of call is being dispatched. They may be broadcast over the radio, sounded over a station's public address system or both. CAD systems may also send the call to a printer at the station, so that response units may have a printed copy to take with them. Communicators can initial dispatch alarms by pagers, radios, outdoor sirens or a combination.

Preliminary Dispatch: Preliminary dispatch information is on location, type of incident and any important information received. Include location identifiers such as names of subdivisions, apartment complex or business names. Keep information brief.

Supplemental Information: This is giving more detailed information to the response unit once acknowledgment is received from their end. This could include any known or suspected hazards, potential life threats to citizens, current medical status of patients and any exposure problems.

Post Dispatch: Depending on the nature of the incident, response units may need additional actions from the Communicator such as notifying department personnel, utilities companies, law enforcement,

HAZMAT teams, emergency management, search and rescue, aviation support, the TSB, Transport Canada, or other local, provincial or Federal agencies.

Explain the proper length of radio transmissions. - answer>>>Radio broadcasts need to be be brief and and to the point, therefore message should be no longer than 30 seconds, but if they are than a pause/break of 5-6 second if required as pauses/breaks provide an opportunity for response units to request or repeat parts of the message to ensure clarity and they allow interruptions for priority messages. And before commencing transmission, double check all questionable words, names, and locations to keep the message brief and to the point.

Explain what information should be broadcast in a "Be on the look out" or "attempt to locate" message.

  • answer>>>The information that should be broad-casted in a "Be on the look out" (BOLO) or "attempt to locate" (ATL) message should contain enough information to give response units a good chance of identifying vehicles or suspects.

Information from a BOLO or ATL should include the type of incident, the time gap, the place of occurrence and any descriptions of vehicles, people and weapons.

Structures are typically divided into five (5) different categories. Match the following structures to their respective categories. (the categories may be used more than once) - answer>>>Question Correct Match Selected Match

hospital

Correct C. public buildings

Correct C. public buildings

bowling alleys

Correct C. public buildings

Incorrect D. mercantile

government owned buildings

Correct C. public buildings

Correct C. public buildings

single-family homes

Correct A. dwellings

Correct A. dwellings

apartments

Correct A. dwellings

Incorrect C. public buildings

Expand on the acronym "ATL" - answer>>>be on the lookout

Professionalism is defined by who you are, what you do and how others perceive you - answer>>>True

A primary PSAP receives transferred 9-1-1 calls for dispatch or further processing - answer>>>True

Successful public safety communicators embody the essence of professionalism and what it means - answer>>>True

A system of principle; the rule of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a group is called: - answer>>>Ethics

The concept that encompasses honesty, integrity, humility and accountability is the definition of: - answer>>>professionalism

values

Specific steps or actions to be completed in a specific situation that are found in a communications center would be a: - answer>>>Procedure Policy

The operational relationship between telecommunicators, supervisors and managers is defined by the PSAP's: - answer>>>Chain of Command

Policy and procedure manuals include general orders, policies, procedures and protocols that are to be used in call taking situations only - answer>>>False

Mutual response is a process of supplying supplemental personnel, equipment or other resources to an incident - answer>>>False

A policy is a guide to action and a procedure is a guide to thinking - answer>>>False

The first communications center to answer a 9-1-1 call is called a: - answer>>>Primary PSAP

Ethics involves an individuals' personal, professional and organizational rules of conduct - answer>>>True

Public safety communicators are expected to be at work and ready to work every scheduled day; this could be 24/7 every day of the year - answer>>>True

Expand on the acronym "CAD" - answer>>>Computer Aided Dispatch

Expand on the acronym "EMR" - answer>>>Emergency Medical Responders

Expand on the acronym "EMS" - answer>>>Emergency Medical Services

Feedback is an important component of communication - answer>>>True