911 Operator Test 911 Call 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A child calls 911 and says their parent is 'sleeping and won't wake up.' What should the operator assume?
- The parent is simply tired
- It may be a medical emergency such as unconsciousness or overdose (Correct answer)
- The child is making a prank call
- The child needs to call a family member instead
Correct answer: It may be a medical emergency such as unconsciousness or overdose
A child's description of an unresponsive adult must be treated as a potential medical emergency until first responders can assess the situation.
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT an appropriate question to ask a caller reporting a burglary in progress?
- Is the suspect still on the premises?
- Can you describe the suspect?
- Why didn't you install a security system? (Correct answer)
- Which direction did the suspect go?
Correct answer: Why didn't you install a security system?
Criticizing the caller's security choices is inappropriate, counterproductive, and can damage trust during an emergency.
Question 3: An operator receives a 911 call where the caller speaks only Spanish and the operator does not speak Spanish. What is the correct procedure?
- Ask the caller to call back when they find an English speaker
- Hang up and notify a supervisor
- Use the agency's language interpretation service immediately (Correct answer)
- Transfer to a Spanish-speaking employee only
Correct answer: Use the agency's language interpretation service immediately
Most PSAPs have access to language interpretation services that must be engaged immediately to ensure the caller receives assistance.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of asking 'Is the person breathing?' early in a medical 911 call?
- To satisfy a legal documentation requirement
- To determine whether CPR pre-arrival instructions should begin (Correct answer)
- To decide if police should respond instead of EMS
- To assess if the caller is trained in first aid
Correct answer: To determine whether CPR pre-arrival instructions should begin
Knowing whether the patient is breathing determines if life-threatening cardiac or respiratory arrest is occurring and if dispatcher-assisted CPR is needed.
Question 5: A caller reports that a neighbor is waving a firearm in the street. Which detail is LEAST critical to obtain first?
- The suspect's location
- The suspect's physical description
- Whether shots have been fired
- The suspect's date of birth (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The suspect's date of birth
Date of birth is an administrative detail that can be obtained later; location, description, and whether shots were fired directly affect responder safety and deployment.
Question 6: What should a 911 operator do when a caller provides an address in a jurisdiction outside the operator's PSAP coverage area?
- Tell the caller to look up the correct number
- Take the call information and transfer it to the appropriate PSAP (Correct answer)
- Dispatch local units regardless
- Hang up and advise the caller to call back
Correct answer: Take the call information and transfer it to the appropriate PSAP
Operators must transfer out-of-jurisdiction calls to the correct PSAP while ensuring continuity so the caller is not abandoned.
Question 7: When gathering information about a suspect's clothing during a 911 call, what order of description is recommended?
- Head to toe (hat, shirt, pants, shoes) (Correct answer)
- Shoes first because they are hardest to change
- Tattoos and scars first
- Start with height and weight only
Correct answer: Head to toe (hat, shirt, pants, shoes)
A head-to-toe description (hat, shirt, pants, shoes) provides a systematic and complete picture that officers can use for identification.
911 Operator Test 911 Call 3
A child calls 911 and says their parent is 'sleeping and won't wake up.' What should the operator assume?