Cathy Orcutt
Albany,OR
Summary
With over 20 years at Linn County Sheriff's Office, I've honed exceptional communication and relationship skills, leading critical public safety projects and enhancing emergency response efficiency. My expertise in customer relationship management and team collaboration has fostered strong community and inter-agency relationships, significantly improving operational outcomes.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Priority Telecommunications Services Representativ
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
11.2019 - Current
- Expand the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency program Priority Telecommunications Services
- Consult and educate national leadership; federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments; first responders; and other authorized national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) including private industry users on the value and use of Priority Telecommunications Services
- Develop strong relationships with subscribers, fostering trust and loyalty through exceptional customer experiences.
- Streamline and escalate service requests for quicker response times.
- Enhance subscriber satisfaction by efficiently addressing and resolving inquiries and concerns.
- Assist in the development of training materials, contributing to increased staff knowledge with the agency
- Advocate for subscriber organizations with PTS Service Center.
- Provide training and overviews of Priority Telecommunications Services to current and potential subscriber organizations on site and via online platforms.
- Work with CISA Emergency Communications Coordinators to facilitate outreach and training regarding emergency communications preparedness within CISA regions 9 & 10.
- Provide direction regarding COOP and PACE planning to subscriber organizations.
Communications Manager
Linn County Sheriff's Office
07.1997 - 07.2019
- Over 20 years of experience providing organizational leadership and establishing and maintaining relationships in the public safety community
- Direct, lead and administer the Linn County Communications Center and Emergency 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
- Determine priorities and develop long and short term plans and goals for the Center.
- Stay current on rapidly changing laws and technology impacting public safety services.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local public safety representatives and vendors.
- Continually seek opportunities to collaborate and coordinate with other public safety jurisdictions to improve and enhance the Center’s services.
- Represent the Sheriff’s Office in making presentations and serving on committees including the Linn County Emergency Telephone Agency and Service Provider committee, Ambulance Service Area committee, Basic Telecommunications Curriculum Committee at the state’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, and various Association of Public Safety Communications Officials committees.
- Established and maintain the county’s Master Street Address Guide.
- Review and update the Center’s disaster recovery plan in coordination with the state Office of Emergency Management.
- Budget and financial responsibilities include directing the preparation, presentation, review and execution of the annual budget for the Linn County Emergency Telephone Agency and coordinating with the County Treasurer to ensure accurate payment and accounting of expenditures.
- Provide direction to and supervision of subordinate supervisors and staff
- Daily resource management to ensure appropriate staffing of the Center’s 24/7 environment.
- Established and maintain staff training manuals and track staff training to ensure annual requirements are met.
- Develop work plans, review work for completeness and adherence to Center standards and provide feedback as appropriate.
- Provide regular mentoring and coaching of staff and subordinate supervisors.
- Lead interview processes and make hiring recommendations for Center staff.
- Effectively respond to employee disciplinary action, grievances and termination decisions.
- Provide information and respond to records requests
- Effectively and promptly respond to public records requests, media inquiries and local public safety jurisdiction requests for information related to Center operations.
- Provide information based on thorough and accurate research of recordings, supporting documentation, and factual details of related events.
- Project to implement new public safety software
- Participated in the recent project to select and implement a new multi-agency automated public safety software suite. Involved in the RFP development and review, vendor site visits, vendor demos and evaluation.
- Responsible for the implementation of the computer aided dispatch (CAD) module including planning and validation of the information loaded into the system, research and incorporation of best practices and lessons learned from other jurisdictions, task management and participation in weekly project meetings, selection and management of dispatch team to assist with CAD build, collaboration with Linn County GIS, City of Albany Police Department and local fire departments, and system administrator training for CAD and records management.
Lead Dispatcher
Linn County Sheriff's Office
08.1993 - 08.1997
- Perform Telecommunications Dispatcher duties and provide assistance and direction to dispatch team
- Train and evaluate new dispatchers
- Write evaluations and provide performance feedback as requested
- Ensure coverage provided for 24/7 support of dispatch
- Troubleshoot equipment issues and work with vendors to resolve
- Participate in supervisory meetings
- Assisted callers in emergency situations with appropriate information and support.
- Collaborated with fellow dispatchers to maintain a cohesive team environment, fostering seamless communication during emergencies.
- Contributed to revision of dispatch protocols, incorporating feedback from emergency responders to enhance collaborative efforts.
- Ensured continuous operation of communication systems through regular maintenance checks and troubleshooting.
- Fostered supportive environment for new dispatchers, guiding them through complex calls with patience and expertise.
- Assisted in planning and execution of emergency drills, preparing team for real-life scenarios.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
911 Dispatcher
Linn County Sheriffs Office
07.1989 - 07.1993
- Assisted callers in emergency situations with appropriate information and support.
- Collaborated with fellow dispatchers to maintain a cohesive team environment, fostering seamless communication during emergencies.
- Relayed latest information to first responders via electronic means, telephone calls, and radio responses.
- Read system maps and caller information, and documented details in system.
- Monitored Police and Fire radios to provide assistance to responding personnel.
- Supported law enforcement officers during high-risk situations by providing vital background data on suspect locations or histories.
- Provided exceptional customer service to callers in crisis, displaying empathy while obtaining necessary information for emergency response teams.
- Applied interpersonal skills in neutralizing hostile and emotionally charged situations.
- Dispatched and coordinated emergency services teams according to high-priority calls.
- Maintained accurate records of all dispatched calls, ensuring proper documentation for future reference or legal proceedings.
- Enhanced emergency response times by effectively prioritizing incoming calls and dispatching appropriate resources.
- Provided on-the-job training and coaching to develop new dispatchers.
Quartermaster
United States Navy
12.1984 - 12.1988
- Served as part of the navigation team on the USS Acadia AD-42.
- Member of the security team at the Capas-Tarlac Radio Transmitting Facility in the Philippines.
Education
No Degree - Management And Supervision
Linn Benton Community College
Albany, ORHigh School Diploma -
West Albany High School
Albany, Oregon06-1983
Skills
- Excellent communication
- Computer skills
- Team collaboration
- Customer relationship management
Affiliations
- Oregon APCO/NENA
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Priority Telecommunications Services Representativ
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
11.2019 - Current
Communications Manager
Linn County Sheriff's Office
07.1997 - 07.2019
Lead Dispatcher
Linn County Sheriff's Office
08.1993 - 08.1997
911 Dispatcher
Linn County Sheriffs Office
07.1989 - 07.1993
Quartermaster
United States Navy
12.1984 - 12.1988
No Degree - Management And Supervision
Linn Benton Community College
High School Diploma -
West Albany High School
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