APCO Module 12 Exam | Actual Questions and Answers Latest
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Explain the purpose of NIMS. National Incident Management System
Correct Answer: Provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government,
private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents. Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents and hazard
scenarios, regardless of size or complexity. Improve coordination and cooperation
between public and private entities in a variety of domestic incident management
activities. Prior to NIMS there were no standards for domestic incident response that
reached across all levels of gov. and all emergency response agencies. NIMS changed
that by establishing national standards national standards for incident operations,
incident communications, personnel qualifications, resource and information
management and supporting technology.
• Question
Explain the NIMS impact on the telecommunicator
Correct Answer: -The initial assessment of call details becomes even more critical at the
PSAP. -The early determination of a hazard and the appropriate notifications are
essential. -Telecommunicators must update event records, call history and information
from callers and the response units to best assess the true nature of the call. -The
telecommunicator must understand that additional questions and pre-arrival
instructions can have a significant impact on the final outcome of events as they evolve.
• Question
Outline the history and development of ICS - Incident Command System
Correct Answer: An integral part of NIMS is the Incident Command System. The ICS
method used to effectively manage resources and personnel during an incident. In some
cities, the fire and police departments have worked together using ICS for years. While
ICS was first pioneered by the fire service, it is, at its core, a management system
designed to integrate resources to effectively attack a common problem. In the early
1970's, a series of major wildfires in Southern California prompted municipal, county,
state and Federal fire authorities to form and organization knows as "Firefighting
Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE). ICS is widely
applicable and is used to organize both short-term and long-term field-level operations.
Used by all levels of government, as well as by many private sector and
non-governmental organizations, ICS is applicable across disciplines.
, • Question
Describe the principles and concepts of ICS
Correct Answer: Operates in a top-down fashion based on the size of the
complexity of the incident, as well as the specifics of the hazard environment created by
the incident. Responsibility lies with Incident Command (IC). -Suitable for any operation
from single jurisdiction or single agency to multiple jurisdictions with multiagency
involvement.
I. Applicable to users throughout the country.
II. Readily adaptable to new technology.
-Have a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the
incident.
• Question
Describe the Command Staff function
Correct Answer: Command Staff consists of the Incident Command (IC) and various staff
positions. Three staff positions typically identified in ICS are Public Information Officer
(PIO), Safety Officer (SO) and Liason Officer (LNO). Command Staff is responsible for
over management of the incident.
• Question
Explain the telecommunicator's role in the Command Staff function.
Correct Answer: -One of the most important
job functions of a telecommunicator, during emergency situations or otherwise, is
responder safety. -The telecommunicator assists with responder safety by constantly
monitoring all radio traffic as approved by PSAP policy.
I. Telecommunicators must be prepared for unexpected radio transmissions from any
unit at any time.
II. Need to be aware of their PSAPs procedure for emergency evacuation of an incident
scene. Typically this includes a radio transmission to evacuate and possible further
audible notifications by radio pager, etc.
• Question
Describe the General Staff function.
Correct Answer: Responsible for the functional aspects of the incident command
structure. The General Staff typically consists of the Operations, Planning, Logistics and
Finance/Admin Sections.
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Explain the purpose of NIMS. National Incident Management System
Correct Answer: Provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government,
private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic
incidents. Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents and hazard
scenarios, regardless of size or complexity. Improve coordination and cooperation
between public and private entities in a variety of domestic incident management
activities. Prior to NIMS there were no standards for domestic incident response that
reached across all levels of gov. and all emergency response agencies. NIMS changed
that by establishing national standards national standards for incident operations,
incident communications, personnel qualifications, resource and information
management and supporting technology.
• Question
Explain the NIMS impact on the telecommunicator
Correct Answer: -The initial assessment of call details becomes even more critical at the
PSAP. -The early determination of a hazard and the appropriate notifications are
essential. -Telecommunicators must update event records, call history and information
from callers and the response units to best assess the true nature of the call. -The
telecommunicator must understand that additional questions and pre-arrival
instructions can have a significant impact on the final outcome of events as they evolve.
• Question
Outline the history and development of ICS - Incident Command System
Correct Answer: An integral part of NIMS is the Incident Command System. The ICS
method used to effectively manage resources and personnel during an incident. In some
cities, the fire and police departments have worked together using ICS for years. While
ICS was first pioneered by the fire service, it is, at its core, a management system
designed to integrate resources to effectively attack a common problem. In the early
1970's, a series of major wildfires in Southern California prompted municipal, county,
state and Federal fire authorities to form and organization knows as "Firefighting
Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE). ICS is widely
applicable and is used to organize both short-term and long-term field-level operations.
Used by all levels of government, as well as by many private sector and
non-governmental organizations, ICS is applicable across disciplines.
, • Question
Describe the principles and concepts of ICS
Correct Answer: Operates in a top-down fashion based on the size of the
complexity of the incident, as well as the specifics of the hazard environment created by
the incident. Responsibility lies with Incident Command (IC). -Suitable for any operation
from single jurisdiction or single agency to multiple jurisdictions with multiagency
involvement.
I. Applicable to users throughout the country.
II. Readily adaptable to new technology.
-Have a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the
incident.
• Question
Describe the Command Staff function
Correct Answer: Command Staff consists of the Incident Command (IC) and various staff
positions. Three staff positions typically identified in ICS are Public Information Officer
(PIO), Safety Officer (SO) and Liason Officer (LNO). Command Staff is responsible for
over management of the incident.
• Question
Explain the telecommunicator's role in the Command Staff function.
Correct Answer: -One of the most important
job functions of a telecommunicator, during emergency situations or otherwise, is
responder safety. -The telecommunicator assists with responder safety by constantly
monitoring all radio traffic as approved by PSAP policy.
I. Telecommunicators must be prepared for unexpected radio transmissions from any
unit at any time.
II. Need to be aware of their PSAPs procedure for emergency evacuation of an incident
scene. Typically this includes a radio transmission to evacuate and possible further
audible notifications by radio pager, etc.
• Question
Describe the General Staff function.
Correct Answer: Responsible for the functional aspects of the incident command
structure. The General Staff typically consists of the Operations, Planning, Logistics and
Finance/Admin Sections.
