PSD Geographical Mapping and Jurisdictional Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A caller reports an accident at the intersection of Highway 9 and County Road 14, but the dispatcher is unsure which agency has jurisdiction. What is the best immediate action?
- Dispatch the nearest unit regardless of jurisdiction
- Check the jurisdictional boundary map to determine the correct responding agency (Correct answer)
- Ask the caller which department they prefer
- Transfer the call to state police automatically
Correct answer: Check the jurisdictional boundary map to determine the correct responding agency
Dispatchers must consult jurisdictional boundary maps to ensure the correct agency is notified and responds.
Question 2: When using a GIS mapping system, what does the term 'layer' refer to?
- The elevation of terrain on a topographic map
- A distinct set of geographic data displayed over a base map (Correct answer)
- The color coding used for different agency zones
- The physical thickness of printed map pages
Correct answer: A distinct set of geographic data displayed over a base map
In GIS, a layer is a collection of geographic data (such as roads, boundaries, or hydrants) overlaid on a base map.
Question 3: A structure fire is reported at an address that falls within a mutual aid agreement zone. Which statement best describes the dispatcher's responsibility?
- Only the primary jurisdiction agency should be notified
- The dispatcher should notify both the primary agency and activate the mutual aid response per established protocols (Correct answer)
- Mutual aid is only activated after the primary unit arrives on scene
- The dispatcher should wait for a supervisor to decide
Correct answer: The dispatcher should notify both the primary agency and activate the mutual aid response per established protocols
Mutual aid agreements require the dispatcher to notify all parties per protocol when an incident occurs in a designated zone.
Question 4: What is the primary advantage of using address geocoding in a CAD system?
- It automatically translates addresses into foreign languages
- It converts a street address into geographic coordinates for map display and routing (Correct answer)
- It stores caller contact information for future reference
- It generates billing records for emergency responses
Correct answer: It converts a street address into geographic coordinates for map display and routing
Geocoding converts addresses to latitude/longitude coordinates, enabling accurate map display and unit routing in CAD systems.
Question 5: A caller describes their location as 'just past the old water tower on Route 5.' What should the dispatcher do first?
- Dispatch a unit to search the entire length of Route 5
- Ask the caller for a more specific address or cross street while cross-referencing the map (Correct answer)
- Assume the caller is at the city limits and dispatch accordingly
- Decline to dispatch until an exact address is given
Correct answer: Ask the caller for a more specific address or cross street while cross-referencing the map
Dispatchers should ask clarifying questions to narrow the location while simultaneously using the map to identify landmarks.
Question 6: Which type of map coordinate system is most commonly used in U.S. public safety dispatch operations for precise location identification?
- Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
- Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)
- Latitude and Longitude (geographic coordinates) (Correct answer)
- Public Land Survey System (PLSS)
Correct answer: Latitude and Longitude (geographic coordinates)
Latitude and longitude coordinates are the most widely used coordinate system in U.S. public safety dispatching for precise location identification.
Question 7: A dispatcher receives a call about a drowning in a lake that straddles the boundary between two counties. Which protocol should guide the response?
- Send the county with more water resources regardless of boundary
- Follow the established mutual aid or shared jurisdiction protocol for boundary waters (Correct answer)
- Only the county where the caller is located should respond
- Flip a coin if protocols are unclear
Correct answer: Follow the established mutual aid or shared jurisdiction protocol for boundary waters
Boundary waters typically have pre-established mutual aid or shared jurisdiction agreements that dictate the proper response.
PSD Geographical Mapping and Jurisdictional Knowledge 2
A caller reports an accident at the intersection of Highway 9 and County Road 14, but the dispatcher is unsure which agency has jurisdiction.
What is the best immediate action?