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Question 1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the “10‑Code” system in public‑safety radio communications? A) To encrypt messages from criminals B) To shorten transmissions and reduce radio traffic C) To indicate the exact GPS coordinates of an incident D) To comply with FCC licensing requirements Answer: B Explanation: 10‑Codes are shorthand phrases that convey information quickly, minimizing airtime and preventing congestion on the radio channel. Question 2. In call triage, which incident should be assigned the highest priority (Priority 1)? A) A minor traffic fender‑bender with no injuries B) A reported home burglary with no suspect present C) A building fire with occupants trapped inside D) A noise complaint from a residential neighbor Answer: C Explanation: Priority 1 is reserved for life‑threatening emergencies; a building fire with trapped occupants presents an immediate danger to life. Question 3. When a dispatcher receives a call reporting a “person with a weapon,” which piece of information is most critical to obtain first? A) The suspect’s height and weight B) The exact make and model of the weapon C) The location of the incident
D) The suspect’s name Answer: C Explanation: Knowing the location allows units to be dispatched immediately; other details are secondary for the initial response. Question 4. According to standard dispatch protocols, what does the “Code 3” response indicate? A) Use of lights and siren while responding B) Request for additional backup C) Situation under control, no further action needed D) Request for a medical unit only Answer: A Explanation: “Code 3” signals that responding units should use emergency lights and sirens to expedite arrival. Question 5. Which of the following best describes “mutual aid” in emergency services? A) Sharing radio frequencies between agencies B) Providing assistance to a neighboring jurisdiction during a large incident C) Rotating shifts among dispatchers to prevent fatigue D) Using a common dispatch software platform Answer: B Explanation: Mutual aid involves agencies helping each other when resources are stretched, typically across jurisdictional lines.
Answer: D Explanation: A broken streetlight does not pose an immediate threat to life or property and is therefore non‑emergency. Question 9. When taking a 911 call, the dispatcher should use which of the following techniques first? A) Summarize the caller’s story B) Verify the caller’s location C) Offer medical advice D) Transfer the call to a supervisor Answer: B Explanation: Establishing the caller’s location is essential for dispatching the appropriate response quickly. Question 10. What does the term “Situation Normal, All Clear (SNAC)” indicate in dispatch terminology? A) The incident has escalated and requires additional units B) The incident has been resolved and no further action is needed C) The caller is providing false information D) The dispatcher needs to repeat the last instruction Answer: B Explanation: “SNAC” signals that the situation is under control and resources can stand down.
Question 11. A dispatcher hears the following alphanumeric code: “Bravo‑ 3 ‑Delta‑ 7 ”. Which phonetic alphabet corresponds to the first letter? A) Alpha B) Bravo C) Charlie D) Delta Answer: B Explanation: In the NATO phonetic alphabet, “Bravo” represents the letter B. Question 12. Which of the following best defines “dispatch latency”? A) The time it takes for a unit to arrive on scene after being dispatched B) The interval between call receipt and the first unit being assigned C) The duration of a radio transmission D) The period a dispatcher spends on break Answer: B Explanation: Dispatch latency measures the delay from when a call is received to when a unit is dispatched. Question 13. In a multi‑agency incident, the “Incident Command System (ICS)” is primarily used to: A) Provide legal authority for arrests B) Standardize communication and command hierarchy C) Record all radio traffic for later review D) Allocate funding between agencies
Question 16. When a dispatcher receives a call with background noise making the address unclear, the best immediate action is to: A) Guess the address based on context B) Ask the caller to repeat the address slowly and clearly C) End the call and log it as incomplete D) Dispatch the nearest unit without an address Answer: B Explanation: Clarifying the address ensures accurate dispatch; repeating the request is standard practice. Question 17. Which of the following statements about “triage” is FALSE? A) Triage prioritizes calls based on severity and resource availability B) Triage decisions are made solely by the caller’s perception of urgency C) Triage helps prevent overload of emergency resources D) Triage can be adjusted as new information arrives Answer: B Explanation: Triage is based on objective assessment by the dispatcher, not just the caller’s perception. Question 18. In the context of dispatch, “Call Sign” refers to: A) The unique identifier of a radio transmitter B) The official name of the dispatch center C) The alphanumeric label assigned to a responding unit D) The password used to access the CAD system
Answer: C Explanation: A call sign uniquely identifies a unit (e.g., “Engine 12”) on the radio. Question 19. Which of the following is an example of “concise” radio communication? A) “I am heading to the location you just told me about, which is 5 miles east of Main Street, and I will be there shortly.” B) “Proceeding to 5‑E Main, ETA 3‑4 minutes.” C) “I think I might be close, but I’m not sure.” D) “Can you give me more details about the incident, please?” Answer: B Explanation: The second option conveys essential information quickly and efficiently. Question 20. During a large public event, a dispatcher must monitor multiple units simultaneously. Which skill is most critical for this task? A) Advanced mathematics B) Multitasking and situational awareness C) Ability to operate heavy machinery D) Fluency in multiple languages Answer: B Explanation: Managing several units requires the dispatcher to multitask while maintaining awareness of each unit’s status.
Answer: A Explanation: CAD is the system used to log, track, and manage emergency calls and unit assignments. Question 24. Which of the following is NOT a typical element of a dispatcher’s “pre‑call briefing” before taking a call? A) Reviewing current unit availability B) Checking weather conditions for the area C) Listening to the caller’s description of the emergency D) Confirming the dispatch center’s shift schedule Answer: D Explanation: The shift schedule is unrelated to the immediate call handling process. Question 25. When a dispatcher hears “All units, be advised, suspect is armed and dangerous,” what is the appropriate immediate action? A) Cancel all current assignments and wait for further instructions B) Issue a “Code 4” (situation under control) to all units C) Broadcast the warning to all on‑scene units and request backup D) Transfer the call to the media relations department Answer: C Explanation: Alerting units to an armed suspect ensures safety and prompts additional resources. Question 26. In a radio log, the term “Negative acknowledgment (NACK)” indicates:
A) The message was received and understood B) The message was not received or was garbled C) The unit is arriving at the scene D) The dispatcher is ending the transmission Answer: B Explanation: NACK signals that the previous transmission was not understood and needs repetition. Question 27. Which of the following best illustrates “situational logic” in unit assignment? A) Sending the closest available unit regardless of incident type B) Assigning a specialized unit only if the incident meets specific criteria C) Rotating units alphabetically each shift D) Randomly selecting units to keep workload balanced Answer: B Explanation: Situational logic matches unit capabilities with incident requirements, not just proximity. Question 28. A dispatcher is instructed to “log all calls in chronological order.” Which principle does this instruction support? A) Data redundancy B) Chain of custody C) Audit trail integrity D) Signal encryption Answer: C
C) Whether the child is breathing or conscious D) The number of witnesses present Answer: C Explanation: Determining consciousness and breathing status guides medical priority and pre‑arrival instructions. Question 32. Which of the following is an example of “categorization” in dispatch reasoning? A) Grouping calls by the time they were received B) Classifying incidents as “Violent” or “Non‑violent” based on description C Question 33. In a dispatch scenario, a unit reports “We are en route, ETA five minutes.” Which of the following is the dispatcher’s best response? A) “Copy, stand by for further instructions.” B) “Negative, do not proceed.” C) “Acknowledged, keep me updated on arrival time.” D) “Cancel the call, incident resolved.” Answer: C Explanation: Acknowledging the ETA and requesting updates maintains situational awareness. Question 34. A dispatcher must prioritize a call about a “minor flood in a residential driveway” over a “report of a suspicious vehicle.” Which dispatch priority code should be assigned? A) Priority 1 – Life‑threatening B) Priority 2 – Urgent but not life‑threatening
C) Priority 3 – Non‑urgent, routine D) Priority 4 – Information only Answer: C Explanation: Both situations are non‑life‑threatening, but a flood affecting a residence is more immediate than a mere suspicious vehicle, fitting Priority 3. Question 35. Which of the following best describes “call back‑up” in dispatch terminology? A) Recording a call for future reference B) Assigning additional resources to an ongoing incident C) Repeating the same call to multiple units simultaneously D) Ending a call after the dispatcher receives a confirmation Answer: B Explanation: “Call back‑up” means sending extra units to support those already on scene. Question 36. During a high‑volume shift, a dispatcher notices a pattern of repeated false alarms for “burglaries.” What is the most appropriate action? A) Ignore the pattern and continue normal operations B) Alert supervisors and consider adjusting response protocols C) Immediately suspend all burglary calls D) Transfer all future burglary calls to another center Answer: B Explanation: Reporting the trend allows supervisors to evaluate and modify procedures, improving efficiency.
D
Question 40. In a dispatch center, “E‑Dispatch” typically refers to: A) Emergency dispatch for fire services only B) Electronic dispatch using computer‑aided systems C) Exporting dispatch logs to external agencies D Answer: B Explanation: E‑Dispatch denotes the use of electronic, computer‑based tools for managing calls and resources. Question 41. When a caller reports “a person is having a seizure,” which pre‑arrival instruction is most appropriate? A) “Stay on the line, keep the person safe, and do not place anything in their mouth.” B) “Give the person water and encourage them to sit up.” C Answer: A Explanation: Keeping the person safe and avoiding oral insertion are key steps while awaiting EMS. Question 42. In the context of dispatch, “unit status” of “Available” means: A) The unit is currently on a call B) The unit is en route to an incident C) The unit is ready for assignment and not engaged in any activity
D
Answer: C Explanation: “Available” indicates the unit can be dispatched immediately. Question 43. Which of the following statements about “radio check” is correct? A) It is performed only at the beginning of each shift B) It verifies that a unit’s radio is functioning and can transmit/receive C Answer: B Explanation: A radio check confirms communication capability and is done regularly. Question 44. A dispatcher is instructed to “use the phonetic alphabet for all alphanumeric identifiers.” Which of the following is the correct way to transmit “C5”? A) “C five” B) “Charlie five” C Answer: B Explanation: “Charlie” represents the letter C in the NATO phonetic alphabet. Question 45. Which of the following best defines “call escalation”? A
Question 50. When a caller reports “a fire alarm is sounding in a high‑rise building,” what is the most appropriate dispatch response? A Answer: A Question 51. In the dispatch of a “motor vehicle collision with possible injuries,” which piece of information is most critical to obtain after location? A Answer: C Question 52. Which of the following best describes “dual‑task processing” in a dispatch test? A Answer: B Question 53. A dispatcher hears “Unit 7, respond to Code Red at 12th and Oak.” Which of the following is the dispatcher’s primary responsibility? A Answer: C Question 54. Which of the following is NOT a standard “priority code” used in many U.S. dispatch systems? A
Answer: D Question 55. In a dispatch scenario, the term “cleared to proceed” means: A Answer: B Question 56. When a dispatcher receives a “false alarm” for a fire call, what should be logged? A Answer: A Question 57. Which of the following best illustrates “situational awareness” for a dispatcher? A Answer: C Question 58. A dispatcher must verify a caller’s “phone number” for which primary reason? A Answer: D Question 59. Which of the following is an example of “standardized phrasing” in dispatch?
