911 Dispatcher Practice Test

What does the term "Out of service" indicate for a dispatcher?

1. Available for calls

2. Subject to call

3. Active response required

4. Assigned to a specific unit

The correct answer is: Subject to call

The term "Out of service" for a dispatcher indicates that the units or personnel are unavailable to respond to calls for service. This status can be due to various reasons, such as equipment malfunction, personnel on break, or other operational constraints that prevent them from engaging with emergency situations. When a unit is classified as "Out of service," it means they are not currently able to take on new assignments, which is important for effective resource management within a dispatch center. Understanding this terminology helps dispatchers coordinate and allocate available resources efficiently, ensuring that calls are assigned to units that are ready and able to respond. It's important to recognize how this status relates to the other options. For example, "available for calls" would reflect a unit that is ready to engage, while "subject to call" implies a level of readiness, although not fully committed. "Active response required" suggests an immediate engagement with a situation, and "assigned to a specific unit" denotes that the unit is dedicated to a particular call or task. All these other statuses denote a level of engagement that is incompatible with being "Out of service."