Telecommunicators should give information, not advice.

Telecommunicators should give information, not advice.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Depends

Answer: (A)

In emergency communications, the dispatcher’s job is to relay factual information and follow approved procedures rather than offering personal opinions or judgments. By providing information—such as location, nature of the incident, hazards, units en route, and questions to gather—the caller and responders stay aligned with what’s known and what needs to be done. Giving unsolicited advice or personal recommendations can introduce errors, bias, or liability concerns, and may conflict with established protocols. When safety instructions are needed, they come from the agency’s approved procedures, not the dispatcher’s personal guidance. So, the best approach is to give information and use only the protocol-based instructions that are part of the official response plan.

In emergency communications, the dispatcher’s job is to relay factual information and follow approved procedures rather than offering personal opinions or judgments. By providing information—such as location, nature of the incident, hazards, units en route, and questions to gather—the caller and responders stay aligned with what’s known and what needs to be done. Giving unsolicited advice or personal recommendations can introduce errors, bias, or liability concerns, and may conflict with established protocols. When safety instructions are needed, they come from the agency’s approved procedures, not the dispatcher’s personal guidance. So, the best approach is to give information and use only the protocol-based instructions that are part of the official response plan.