Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) Practice Exam

Interpersonal skills encompass communications between two or more people, including?

1. Arguing, debating

2. Verbal, non-verbal

3. Debating, non-verbal

4. Verbal, physical

The correct answer is: Verbal, non-verbal

Interpersonal skills are essential in any communication scenario, especially in the context of public safety and emergency response. When we talk about interpersonal communication, it fundamentally includes both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Verbal communication involves the spoken or written words we use to convey our thoughts and messages. It is crucial for establishing clear understanding, especially in high-pressure situations where effective communication can significantly impact the outcome of an emergency response. Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, includes body language, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which can provide additional context to the verbal message. These non-verbal cues can convey emotions and reactions that words alone might fail to express, playing a critical role in how messages are interpreted and understood. By recognizing that interpersonal skills span both these forms of communication, telecommunicators can better interact with the public, understand the needs of callers during emergencies, and facilitate more effective responses within their teams. This duality of communication methods underscores the complexity and the importance of interpersonal skills in public safety roles.