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DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION
EXAM|QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE|GRADED A+|100%
CORRECT|2026 UPDATE
Q1. A caller reports "a man with a gun walking down the
street yelling." Which dispatch priority code is most
appropriate?
A) Low priority (Code 3 – routine)
B) High priority (Code 1 or Signal 0 – emergency) – potential
active threat
C) No priority – hang up
D) Transfer to non-emergency line
Answer: B
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Rationale: Any call involving a weapon and threatening behavior
is an immediate threat to public safety. High-priority emergency
dispatch is required. Officers need to be notified of potential
active shooter or man-with-gun situation.
Q2. You receive a 911 call. The caller is whispering,
"Someone is in my house, I don't know where." What is the
most critical first question?
A) "What is your favorite color?"
B) "Are you in a safe location to speak?" – then "What is your
address?" – determine if caller can remain on line
C) "Do you have a weapon?"
D) "What is the suspect wearing?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Officer and caller safety are paramount. First verify if
the caller can speak safely (whispering indicates hiding). Then
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secure the address. Ensure dispatch can locate even if line goes
dead.
Q3. A caller reports a "hit and run" that happened 45 minutes
ago, no injuries, both vehicles still on scene, blocking a
parking lot aisle. This call is classified as:
A) Emergency priority
B) Non-emergency priority (delayed response) – no injuries, no
blocking roadway
C) No response required
D) Fire dispatch
Answer: B
Rationale: No injuries, no active hazard (parking lot vs highway),
and delayed reporting indicates non-emergency. Prioritize active
emergencies.
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Q4. Priority dispatching (also known as "call triage") is based
on:
A) First-call, first-served
B) Immediacy of threat to life, property, or public safety
C) Caller's tone of voice
D) Time of day
Answer: B
Rationale: Triage systems (e.g., IAED's ProQA, APCO's priority
codes) categorize by severity and urgency of threat.
Q5. A caller reports a "structure fire" with "people trapped
inside." You dispatch fire and EMS immediately. What should
you do while units are en route?
A) Hang up
B) Keep caller on line – provide pre-arrival instructions
(evacuation, stay low, close doors)
DISPATCHER CERTIFICATION
EXAM|QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE|GRADED A+|100%
CORRECT|2026 UPDATE
Q1. A caller reports "a man with a gun walking down the
street yelling." Which dispatch priority code is most
appropriate?
A) Low priority (Code 3 – routine)
B) High priority (Code 1 or Signal 0 – emergency) – potential
active threat
C) No priority – hang up
D) Transfer to non-emergency line
Answer: B
,Page 2 of 135
Rationale: Any call involving a weapon and threatening behavior
is an immediate threat to public safety. High-priority emergency
dispatch is required. Officers need to be notified of potential
active shooter or man-with-gun situation.
Q2. You receive a 911 call. The caller is whispering,
"Someone is in my house, I don't know where." What is the
most critical first question?
A) "What is your favorite color?"
B) "Are you in a safe location to speak?" – then "What is your
address?" – determine if caller can remain on line
C) "Do you have a weapon?"
D) "What is the suspect wearing?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Officer and caller safety are paramount. First verify if
the caller can speak safely (whispering indicates hiding). Then
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secure the address. Ensure dispatch can locate even if line goes
dead.
Q3. A caller reports a "hit and run" that happened 45 minutes
ago, no injuries, both vehicles still on scene, blocking a
parking lot aisle. This call is classified as:
A) Emergency priority
B) Non-emergency priority (delayed response) – no injuries, no
blocking roadway
C) No response required
D) Fire dispatch
Answer: B
Rationale: No injuries, no active hazard (parking lot vs highway),
and delayed reporting indicates non-emergency. Prioritize active
emergencies.
, Page 4 of 135
Q4. Priority dispatching (also known as "call triage") is based
on:
A) First-call, first-served
B) Immediacy of threat to life, property, or public safety
C) Caller's tone of voice
D) Time of day
Answer: B
Rationale: Triage systems (e.g., IAED's ProQA, APCO's priority
codes) categorize by severity and urgency of threat.
Q5. A caller reports a "structure fire" with "people trapped
inside." You dispatch fire and EMS immediately. What should
you do while units are en route?
A) Hang up
B) Keep caller on line – provide pre-arrival instructions
(evacuation, stay low, close doors)
