Questions and CORRECT Answers
Critical Incident - CORRECT ANSWER - an event requiring an extraordinary degree of
adaptation by the individual who experiences the event
Critical Incident Characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. event outside the range of
usual human experience & that would be markedly distressing to almost anyone
2. fright which includes the element of surprise
3. loss of sense of control
4. disruption of beliefs & value system
Critical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER - stress experienced at any level resulting
from exposure to a critical incident
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - CORRECT ANSWER - development of
characteristic symptoms following a psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of
usual human experience...duration of disturbance at least one month
PTSD Symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER - problems with concentration & memory,
nightmares, flashbacks, tendency to be easily startled, inability to relax, anxiety, depression
Sympathetic Response to Critical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER - dilated pupils,
HR & breathing rate increase, blood shanted away from non-essential organs, blood pumped to
skeletal muscles, myocardium & liver, GI tract slowed down or stopped, body releases what it
does not need, rise in cholesterol (blood clotting agent)
Immediate Physiological Symptoms to Crtitical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER -
time distortion (slow-motion, fast-motion) auditory distortion (diminished sound, intensified
sound) visual distortion (tunnel vision, heightened sense of detail)
,Delayed Physiological Responses to Critical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER -
behavioral (activity, emotional outbursts, addictive behavior, appetite), physical (fatigue,
headaches, thirst, chest pain), cognitive (inability to concentrate, nightmares, hyper vigilance),
emotional (anger, anxiety, guilt, denial, depression)
Psychological Effects of Delayed Critical Incident Response - CORRECT ANSWER -
denial, isolation, preoccupation with the event, heightened sensitivity to others' reactions
Coping Strategies to Reduce Critical Incident Exposure - CORRECT ANSWER -
cognitive restructuring, mental rehearsal, mental focus, rituals or maintaining your schedule
On-scene Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER - talk to
officers coming off scene, prepare yourself for what you might see, hear, and smell
Post-Incident Techniques to Reduce Critical Incident Stress - CORRECT ANSWER -
accept feelings as normal, know you have choices, examine thoughts, attend agency-sponsored
debriefings, encourage peers to discuss, share openly with trusted person, seek professional
assistance, do not drink alcohol, exercise
Crisis Incident - CORRECT ANSWER - an extraordinary event, either caused by human
or natural phenomena, which may require the response of multiple emergency personnel to
prevent loss of life, damage to property, and protection of the environment
NIMS - CORRECT ANSWER - National Incident Management System - created by
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 - consistent nationwide template to enable all
government, private-sector, & non-governmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents
Officer ICS Responsibility - CORRECT ANSWER - initial responding officer becomes
the inicident commander & initates the incident command system (ICS) in accordance with
NIMS and remains as such until properly relieved
, Basis for NIMS - CORRECT ANSWER - ICS, Multiagency Coordination System, Public
Information System
Incident Command System (ICS) - CORRECT ANSWER - defines operational
characteristics, management components, & structure of incident management organizations
throughout incident's life
Multiagency Coordination System - CORRECT ANSWER - defines operational
characteristics, management components, & organizational structure of supporting entities
Public Information System - CORRECT ANSWER - includes processes, procedures, &
systems for communication of timely & accurate information to the public during emergency
situations
Components of NIMS - CORRECT ANSWER - command & management, preparedness,
resource management, communication & information management, supporting technologies,
ongoing management & maintenance
Core Concept of NIMS - CORRECT ANSWER - ICS
ICS Organizational Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - Incident Commander (IC)
Command Staff - Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer
General Staff - Operations, Planning, Logistics, & Finance & Administration
Other - branches, divisions, groups, units, task forces, strike teams, single resources
Incident Commander (IC) - CORRECT ANSWER - sets objectives, strategies, and
priorities & has overall responsibility at the incident or event. Can delegate authority to
Command & General Staff. Can create or add positions as needed