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TCFP TELECOMMUNICATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
- What is the primary role of a telecommunicator during an emergency call? A. Provide emotional support B. Gather information and dispatch appropriate resources C. Transfer the call to a supervisor D. Handle public relations The main duty is to collect key information and dispatch emergency responders swiftly and accurately.
- What information is considered most critical to obtain first during an emergency call? A. Caller’s name B. Location of the emergency C. Type of emergency D. Caller’s phone number
Location is crucial to initiate help even if the call drops.
- What is the standard protocol for answering emergency calls? A. "9- 1 - 1, what is your emergency?" B. "Hello, can I help you?" C. "This is the fire department, go ahead." D. "Police department, what do you need?" This greeting is direct and initiates the information-gathering process.
- Which of the following is NOT a function of a public safety answering point (PSAP)? A. Dispatch emergency services B. Answer 9- 1 - 1 calls C. Track crime statistics D. Perform criminal investigations Telecommunicators coordinate but do not investigate crimes.
- Which organization establishes standards for emergency communications personnel? A. NFPA B. APCO International C. FEMA D. TLETS APCO sets national standards for public safety communications.
- What type of communication is used when relaying a message over the radio?
10.What is a key indicator that a telecommunicator may be experiencing job- related stress? A. Increased motivation B. Difficulty sleeping C. High energy levels D. Improved memory Difficulty sleeping is a common sign of stress and burnout. 11.Which is a universal emergency number in the U.S.? A. 9- 1 - 1 B. 4- 1 - 1 C. 3- 1 - 1 D. 1- 1 - 2 9 - 1 - 1 is designated for all emergency services across the U.S. 12.What should a telecommunicator do if a caller becomes abusive? A. Disconnect immediately B. Stay calm and professional C. Argue with the caller D. Mute the line Professionalism is key even when a caller is difficult. 13.What does EMD stand for? A. Emergency Medical Dispatch B. Emergency Message Delivery C. Enhanced Message Dispatch D. Emergency Management Division
EMD involves giving pre-arrival medical instructions to callers. 14.When should a telecommunicator initiate CPR instructions over the phone? A. Only if asked B. When EMS arrives C. If the caller reports someone not breathing or unconscious D. Never Immediate CPR guidance can save lives before responders arrive. 15.What must a telecommunicator always maintain during a call? A. Humor B. Composure C. Sympathy D. Curiosity Calm demeanor helps manage emergencies effectively. 16.Which agency regulates radio communication licensing in the U.S.? A. FEMA B. FCC C. APCO D. NSA The FCC governs frequency allocation and communication licensing. 17.A telecommunicator's ability to quickly prioritize calls is based on: A. Severity of the situation B. Caller’s tone
21.Which law requires all emergency calls be routed regardless of phone service? A. Kari’s Law B. Jessica’s Law C. Miranda Rights D. Homeland Act Kari’s Law mandates direct 9- 1 - 1 dialing and location information. 22.What should a telecommunicator avoid during radio transmission? A. Short, clear messages B. Long, detailed narratives C. Use of standard codes D. Proper unit identification Lengthy transmissions can delay response and create confusion. 23.What is one benefit of multi-agency interoperability? A. Delays in dispatch B. Coordinated response across jurisdictions C. Reduced service efficiency D. Isolated incident management Interoperability improves efficiency and collaboration. 24.What does NG9- 1 - 1 refer to? A. Next-level GPS B. Next Generation 9- 1 - 1 C. New Government Protocol D. National Guard System
NG9- 1 - 1 incorporates digital and text-based emergency communication. 25.What is the function of ANI? A. Identifies the caller’s phone number B. Transfers calls C. Alerts EMS D. Locates responders ANI provides automatic number identification for caller tracking. 26.What should a telecommunicator do if unsure of a caller's location? A. End the call B. Call back later C. Ask the caller to describe landmarks or nearby signs D. Transfer to police Descriptive questioning helps pinpoint location without direct data. 27.In Texas, which entity oversees telecommunicator training and certification? A. DHS B. NFPA C. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) D. APCO TCOLE sets standards for law enforcement and dispatch personnel. 28.What is a telecommunicator’s first response during a multi-car pile-up report? A. Ask for names
C. Wait for an adult D. Disconnect and monitor the line Children may have limited knowledge—simple questions can provide clues. 32.Which type of call requires the highest priority response? A. Noise complaint B. Abandoned vehicle C. Active shooter incident D. Suspicious person report Life-threatening events like active shooters require immediate dispatch. 33.What is the primary benefit of call-taking protocols? A. They delay dispatch B. They replace common sense C. They standardize responses and reduce error D. They eliminate caller confusion Protocols ensure consistent, reliable emergency response decisions. 34.What is the correct action if a caller threatens suicide? A. Transfer to hospital B. Tell them to calm down C. Keep the caller engaged and notify appropriate responders D. Tell them to call back later Maintaining conversation while dispatching help can save lives. 35.What does “BOL” mean in dispatch terminology? A. Be On the Lookout
B. Basic Operations List C. Best of Line D. Break-off Line “Be On the Lookout” alerts units to a suspect or vehicle. 36.Which of the following is a best practice during multi-agency response coordination? A. Using local codes B. Using personal opinions C. Using ICS and plain language D. Calling agencies individually ICS and plain language reduce confusion across departments. 37.What is the purpose of a “silent dispatch”? A. Avoid radio traffic B. Only used for medical calls C. Prevent tipping off suspects D. Notify only fire department Silent dispatches maintain operational security in sensitive situations. 38.How can telecommunicators enhance caller cooperation during a crisis? A. Use threats B. Ignore emotions C. Show empathy and provide reassurance D. Hang up if they cry Empathy builds trust and helps obtain vital information.
“Hot calls” require immediate dispatch due to danger in progress. 43.What information should always be verified before ending a call? A. Time of day B. Address and callback number C. Clothing description D. Emergency type Verifying location and phone number is critical for follow-up. 44.What is the proper way to correct an error during a radio transmission? A. Continue without fixing it B. Say “Correction” and restate the correct information C. Restart the call D. Apologize repeatedly “Correction” is the standard way to clarify misinformation quickly. 45.What’s the best strategy for handling emotionally distressed callers? A. Avoid talking B. Use slang to relate C. Speak calmly and give clear instructions D. Speak louder Clear, calm instructions help focus distressed callers. 46.Which call would be categorized as low priority? A. Armed robbery in progress B. Domestic violence
C. Car crash with injuries D. Barking dog complaint Non-life-threatening nuisance calls are lower priority. 47.How should a telecommunicator handle a prank 9- 1 - 1 call? A. Hang up B. Ignore it C. Document the call and notify law enforcement D. Respond with humor Prank calls misuse emergency resources and require documentation. 48.What is one indicator of a hostage situation during a call? A. No background noise B. Whispering or scripted responses C. Caller hangs up quickly D. Loud music Whispered or rehearsed speech may indicate duress. 49.What system allows emergency text messages to be received at PSAPs? A. CAD B. Text-to- 911 C. NG911-TV D. ANI Text-to-911 provides an alternative for callers unable to speak. 50.What is “enhanced” in Enhanced 9- 1 - 1 (E9- 1 - 1)? A. Callers receive medical help
54.What does “Code Blue” typically mean in dispatch terminology? A. Active shooter B. Medical emergency (e.g., cardiac arrest) C. Burglary in progress D. Weather alert Code Blue generally refers to critical medical emergencies. 55.What’s a primary sign of telecommunicator burnout? A. Increased attention B. Desire for training C. Detachment from calls and emotional exhaustion D. Better multitasking Emotional withdrawal is a hallmark of burnout. 56.Which resource helps locate mobile 9- 1 - 1 callers? A. Caller ID B. Scanner C. Phase II Wireless location technology D. Call log Phase II gives latitude and longitude coordinates of mobile callers. 57.What’s one way to reduce liability during calls? A. Follow established protocols B. Rely on memory C. Skip documentation D. Use slang
Protocols protect both responders and telecommunicators legally. 58.What should a telecommunicator do when receiving a TTY (text telephone) call? A. Hang up B. Use TTY protocol to communicate with hearing impaired C. Transfer to EMS D. Turn off the console Proper use of TTY ensures accessibility for the hearing impaired. 59.What is one reason a telecommunicator may need to initiate mutual aid? A. Too many radio calls B. Local resources are overwhelmed C. Dispatcher is tired D. Caller request Mutual aid helps respond when local units cannot handle the demand. 60.What defines an in-progress call? A. It happened yesterday B. It might happen C. It is occurring at the time of the call D. It was reported last week “In-progress” means the event is actively unfolding. 61.What should a telecommunicator do if a caller is unable to speak but the line remains open?
Quality Assurance/Improvement programs ensure call handling standards. 65.What is the best way to handle overlapping emergencies? A. Pause the first to handle the second B. Let the system auto-respond C. Prioritize based on threat to life and dispatch accordingly D. Take them in the order received Calls are prioritized based on severity, not order. 66.What is "echoing" in telecommunication? A. Signal failure B. Repeating back key details to confirm accuracy C. A technical delay D. Caller’s voice repeating Echoing ensures clarity and confirms critical information. 67.When should a telecommunicator activate Emergency Alert Systems (EAS)? A. Only for sports events B. During large-scale public threats like AMBER Alerts or disasters C. For traffic updates D. For every fire alarm EAS is used for urgent, public emergency messaging. 68.What is the most effective way to remain alert during long shifts? A. Drink soda B. Take regular short breaks and maintain hydration
C. Sleep at the desk D. Ignore fatigue Scheduled breaks and hydration help sustain focus and prevent errors. 69.What system is commonly used for interoperability between different emergency services? A. Pager systems B. Cell phones C. Radio trunking systems D. Cable lines Trunked radio systems allow coordinated multi-agency communication. 70.What is the purpose of a “drop-down” menu in CAD systems? A. To watch videos B. To end calls C. To standardize data input and reduce entry errors D. To switch screens Standard menus in CAD improve data consistency and speed. 71.What kind of call requires immediate law enforcement dispatch, even without full information? A. Lost dog B. Parking violation C. Shots fired heard in the background D. Barking complaint Gunfire indicates a potentially active violent situation.
