IFSTA 7TH EDITION CHAPTER 2
COMMUNICATIONS STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. Which NFPA standard specifies the professional qualifications for Public Safety
Telecommunicators?
A. NFPA 1061
B. NFPA 1021
C. NFPA 1001
D. NFPA 1221
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NFPA 1061 is the Standard for Public Safety Telecommunicator
Professional Qualifications, defining the requirements for personnel who receive and
process emergency calls.
2. What is the primary function of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)?
A. To repair radio equipment
,B. To manage public relations for the fire department
C. To provide training for firefighters
D. To act as a central location to receive 9-1-1 calls
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A PSAP is a facility where emergency calls are received and then
dispatched to the appropriate emergency service.
3. Which device is designed to translate speech into text for callers who are hearing
impaired?
A. TTY/TDD
B. CAD
C. MDT
D. AVL
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Teletypewriters (TTY) and Telecommunications Devices for the
Deaf (TDD) are used to communicate with hearing-impaired individuals over telephone
lines.
4. In a dispatch center, what does the acronym CAD stand for?
A. Central Alert Database
B. Computer-Aided Dispatch
, C. Critical Alarm Display
D. Command Authorization Department
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems assist
telecommunicators by managing information and resources efficiently during emergencies.
5. When receiving a non-emergency call, what should a firefighter do if the caller has an
emergency?
A. Tell the caller to hang up and dial 9-1-1
B. Transfer the caller to the dispatch center or follow local SOPs
C. Handle the emergency information personally and then dispatch
D. Take a message and wait for the captain to return
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a caller reports an emergency on a non-emergency line, the
personnel should follow local SOPs, which usually involve transferring the call to the
appropriate dispatch authority.
6. Which piece of information is LEAST critical when initially taking an emergency call?
A. The location of the emergency
B. The name of the caller’s insurance company
C. The nature of the emergency
COMMUNICATIONS STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027
1. Which NFPA standard specifies the professional qualifications for Public Safety
Telecommunicators?
A. NFPA 1061
B. NFPA 1021
C. NFPA 1001
D. NFPA 1221
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: NFPA 1061 is the Standard for Public Safety Telecommunicator
Professional Qualifications, defining the requirements for personnel who receive and
process emergency calls.
2. What is the primary function of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)?
A. To repair radio equipment
,B. To manage public relations for the fire department
C. To provide training for firefighters
D. To act as a central location to receive 9-1-1 calls
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A PSAP is a facility where emergency calls are received and then
dispatched to the appropriate emergency service.
3. Which device is designed to translate speech into text for callers who are hearing
impaired?
A. TTY/TDD
B. CAD
C. MDT
D. AVL
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Teletypewriters (TTY) and Telecommunications Devices for the
Deaf (TDD) are used to communicate with hearing-impaired individuals over telephone
lines.
4. In a dispatch center, what does the acronym CAD stand for?
A. Central Alert Database
B. Computer-Aided Dispatch
, C. Critical Alarm Display
D. Command Authorization Department
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems assist
telecommunicators by managing information and resources efficiently during emergencies.
5. When receiving a non-emergency call, what should a firefighter do if the caller has an
emergency?
A. Tell the caller to hang up and dial 9-1-1
B. Transfer the caller to the dispatch center or follow local SOPs
C. Handle the emergency information personally and then dispatch
D. Take a message and wait for the captain to return
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a caller reports an emergency on a non-emergency line, the
personnel should follow local SOPs, which usually involve transferring the call to the
appropriate dispatch authority.
6. Which piece of information is LEAST critical when initially taking an emergency call?
A. The location of the emergency
B. The name of the caller’s insurance company
C. The nature of the emergency
