IFSTA CHAPTER 3: FIRE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNICATIONS (LATEST 2026/ 2027
UPDATE) QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS| GRADE
A+
1. Which type of telecommunications system is a dedicated network for public safety use?
A. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
B. Local Area Network (LAN)
C. Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
D. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is a central location that
takes 9-1-1 calls and routes them to the appropriate emergency services.
2. What is the primary difference between a basic 9-1-1 system and an Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-
1) system?
A. Basic 9-1-1 systems are only for fire emergencies.
B. E-9-1-1 can automatically provide the caller’s phone number and location.
C. E-9-1-1 uses satellite imagery to see the caller.
,D. Basic 9-1-1 requires a cellular connection.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Enhanced 9-1-1 systems use Automatic Number Identification
(ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) to provide dispatchers with the caller’s
info.
3. Which device is designed for use by individuals with hearing impairments to communicate
over telephone lines?
A. Modem
B. TDD/TTY
C. Digital Multiplex
D. Repeater
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) and
Teletypewriter (TTY) allow hearing-impaired individuals to type messages over phone
lines.
4. What should be the first action when receiving a non-emergency call at the fire station?
A. Put the caller on hold immediately.
B. Transfer the call to the Fire Chief.
C. Identify yourself and your department or unit.
, D. Ask for the caller’s social security number.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Professional telephone etiquette requires identifying yourself
and your station/unit immediately to the caller.
5. Which type of radio system uses a single frequency for both transmitting and receiving?
A. Duplex system
B. Trunked system
C. Repeated system
D. Simplex system
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A simplex system uses one frequency for both sending and
receiving, meaning only one person can talk at a time.
6. In a trunked radio system, what happens when a user presses the Push-To-Talk (PTT)
button?
A. The message is broadcast over all available channels simultaneously.
B. The radio sends a signal directly to the receiver on a fixed frequency.
C. The radio searches for an open frequency in the pool.
D. The call is routed through a landline telephone system.
COMMUNICATIONS (LATEST 2026/ 2027
UPDATE) QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS| GRADE
A+
1. Which type of telecommunications system is a dedicated network for public safety use?
A. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
B. Local Area Network (LAN)
C. Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
D. Wide Area Network (WAN)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is a central location that
takes 9-1-1 calls and routes them to the appropriate emergency services.
2. What is the primary difference between a basic 9-1-1 system and an Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-
1) system?
A. Basic 9-1-1 systems are only for fire emergencies.
B. E-9-1-1 can automatically provide the caller’s phone number and location.
C. E-9-1-1 uses satellite imagery to see the caller.
,D. Basic 9-1-1 requires a cellular connection.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Enhanced 9-1-1 systems use Automatic Number Identification
(ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) to provide dispatchers with the caller’s
info.
3. Which device is designed for use by individuals with hearing impairments to communicate
over telephone lines?
A. Modem
B. TDD/TTY
C. Digital Multiplex
D. Repeater
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) and
Teletypewriter (TTY) allow hearing-impaired individuals to type messages over phone
lines.
4. What should be the first action when receiving a non-emergency call at the fire station?
A. Put the caller on hold immediately.
B. Transfer the call to the Fire Chief.
C. Identify yourself and your department or unit.
, D. Ask for the caller’s social security number.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Professional telephone etiquette requires identifying yourself
and your station/unit immediately to the caller.
5. Which type of radio system uses a single frequency for both transmitting and receiving?
A. Duplex system
B. Trunked system
C. Repeated system
D. Simplex system
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A simplex system uses one frequency for both sending and
receiving, meaning only one person can talk at a time.
6. In a trunked radio system, what happens when a user presses the Push-To-Talk (PTT)
button?
A. The message is broadcast over all available channels simultaneously.
B. The radio sends a signal directly to the receiver on a fixed frequency.
C. The radio searches for an open frequency in the pool.
D. The call is routed through a landline telephone system.
