Crisis Management & Decision-Making Flashcards
7 cards from real CED practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Crisis Management & Decision-Making flashcards as text
During a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) incident, a dispatcher's primary role is to:
Answer: Coordinate specialized resources and relay hazard information to responders
Dispatchers coordinate the specialized response and keep responders informed of hazard details — not provide decon guidance or manage media.
When implementing the Incident Command System (ICS) at the dispatch level, the dispatcher typically functions in which role?
Answer: Communications Unit
Dispatchers operate within the Communications Unit under the Logistics Section during ICS-structured incidents.
A caller reports a school with a possible active shooter. The dispatcher's PRIMARY initial step is to:
Answer: Immediately dispatch law enforcement and initiate the active shooter protocol
Active shooter protocols require immediate law enforcement dispatch; delays for confirmation or notifications can cost lives.
Cognitive tunnel vision during a crisis can be reduced by a dispatcher through:
Answer: Using checklists and structured protocols to ensure all steps are covered
Checklists prevent critical steps from being missed when stress narrows mental focus.
A caller reports a neighbor threatening suicide with a firearm. Which resource should be dispatched in addition to law enforcement?
Answer: Crisis negotiation team and/or mental health crisis unit
Suicidal subjects with weapons require law enforcement plus mental health or crisis negotiation resources for safe resolution.
A dispatcher is experiencing signs of secondary traumatic stress after handling a mass casualty event. The appropriate action is to:
Answer: Seek peer support, a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD), or professional help
CISD and peer support programs are specifically designed to mitigate secondary traumatic stress in emergency dispatchers.
An on-scene unit reports the situation is far more serious than the original dispatch information indicated. The dispatcher should:
Answer: Proactively upgrade the response and notify command of the updated status
Proactive resource upgrading ensures units are not under-resourced while awaiting a formal request under pressure.