1|Page
911 Dispatch Exam Questions & Correct Answers
1. A new telecommunicator is learning the basic structure of public safety
communications. Which term is defined as a "Public Safety Answering Point" (PSAP)?
A. A field unit's mobile data terminal
B. A location where 911 calls are received and processed
C. The radio frequency used for mutual aid communication
D. The backup generator system for a dispatch center
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: PSAP stands for Public Safety Answering Point, which is a call center
responsible for receiving 911 calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services.
2. A telecommunicator is facing a situation involving personal morals and organizational
rules of conduct. This situation is best described as involving:
A. Liability
B. Diversity
C. Ethics
D. Policy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
,2|Page
Rationale: Ethics involves an individual's personal, professional, and organizational rules
of conduct. It includes opinions and feelings about manners and behaviors, guiding
decision-making in morally complex situations.
3. A new telecommunicator is learning about the structure of public safety. Which three
are the primary disciplines of public safety? (Select all that apply.)
A. Law enforcement
B. Fire service
C. Public works
D. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) communication
E. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, D
Rationale: The three primary disciplines of public safety communications are Law
Enforcement, Fire Service, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) communication. These
are the core agencies that a PSAP typically coordinates.
4. A telecommunicator is reviewing their PSAP's standard operating procedures. What is
the primary difference between a policy and a procedure?
A. A policy is a guide to action, while a procedure is a guide to thinking.
B. A policy is a guide to thinking, while a procedure is a guide to action.
C. A policy is determined by the FCC, while a procedure is set by the local agency.
, 3|Page
D. A policy is for managers, while a procedure is for frontline staff.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: In an organizational context, a policy serves as a guide to thinking, outlining
the principles and rules to follow. A procedure is a guide to action, detailing the specific
steps to take to implement the policy.
5. During a major multi-jurisdictional incident, a neighboring agency's resources are
requested to assist the overwhelmed local response. This process is known as:
A. Automatic aid
B. A call transfer
C. Mutual aid
D. An interoperability failure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Mutual aid is a formal process of supplying supplemental personnel,
equipment, or other resources to an incident to assist agencies that may be in danger of
becoming overwhelmed in their response.
6. A telecommunicator is communicating with a caller. Which components are essential
parts of the communication cycle? (Select all that apply.)
A. The sender
B. The medium
911 Dispatch Exam Questions & Correct Answers
1. A new telecommunicator is learning the basic structure of public safety
communications. Which term is defined as a "Public Safety Answering Point" (PSAP)?
A. A field unit's mobile data terminal
B. A location where 911 calls are received and processed
C. The radio frequency used for mutual aid communication
D. The backup generator system for a dispatch center
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: PSAP stands for Public Safety Answering Point, which is a call center
responsible for receiving 911 calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services.
2. A telecommunicator is facing a situation involving personal morals and organizational
rules of conduct. This situation is best described as involving:
A. Liability
B. Diversity
C. Ethics
D. Policy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
,2|Page
Rationale: Ethics involves an individual's personal, professional, and organizational rules
of conduct. It includes opinions and feelings about manners and behaviors, guiding
decision-making in morally complex situations.
3. A new telecommunicator is learning about the structure of public safety. Which three
are the primary disciplines of public safety? (Select all that apply.)
A. Law enforcement
B. Fire service
C. Public works
D. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) communication
E. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
CORRECT ANSWER: A, B, D
Rationale: The three primary disciplines of public safety communications are Law
Enforcement, Fire Service, and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) communication. These
are the core agencies that a PSAP typically coordinates.
4. A telecommunicator is reviewing their PSAP's standard operating procedures. What is
the primary difference between a policy and a procedure?
A. A policy is a guide to action, while a procedure is a guide to thinking.
B. A policy is a guide to thinking, while a procedure is a guide to action.
C. A policy is determined by the FCC, while a procedure is set by the local agency.
, 3|Page
D. A policy is for managers, while a procedure is for frontline staff.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: In an organizational context, a policy serves as a guide to thinking, outlining
the principles and rules to follow. A procedure is a guide to action, detailing the specific
steps to take to implement the policy.
5. During a major multi-jurisdictional incident, a neighboring agency's resources are
requested to assist the overwhelmed local response. This process is known as:
A. Automatic aid
B. A call transfer
C. Mutual aid
D. An interoperability failure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Mutual aid is a formal process of supplying supplemental personnel,
equipment, or other resources to an incident to assist agencies that may be in danger of
becoming overwhelmed in their response.
6. A telecommunicator is communicating with a caller. Which components are essential
parts of the communication cycle? (Select all that apply.)
A. The sender
B. The medium
