Open To Work
Christine Shepherd
Public service
Yarmouth,ME
Work Preference
Summary
Dedicated advocate for public safety with nearly three decades of service, demonstrating a profound commitment to community well-being. Strong interpersonal skills and effective engagement with diverse groups, fostering collaboration and understanding. A passion for continuous learning. Always seeking innovative solutions and best practices in the field. Proven ability to adapt to evolving challenges while maintaining a focus on enhancing responder safety.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
7
7
Certification
Work History
Emergency Communications Specialist
Cumberland County Regional Communications
08.2005 - 08.2025
- Served the vital communications link between the public in need of help and the emergency services response. Worked independently in a high-stress environment, receiving and evaluating incoming requests for emergency services. Coordinated appropriate responses to high-risk, high stress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.
- Demonstrated clear and effective communications with active listening, call control, judgment, respect, and empathy.
- Provided pre-arrival and post-discharge instructions to those who require assistance during high-stress situations, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, childbirth, hemorrhaging, active shooters, and entrapments.
- Ascertained incident information by obtaining and verifying caller information and location, using all available data, to determine the nature of the incident and provide information to emergency services either verbally and/or digitally.
- Utilized proper resources to assist with callers who have mental health or language barriers to ensure appropriate emergency services are rendered.
- Determined caller location by using geographic knowledge, tools, and location tracking capabilities when available.
- Maintained communications during life-threatening emergencies, providing safety/lifesaving instructions, and maintaining control of the conversation until field units are on-scene.
- Used training and operational protocols to take appropriate action, such as relaying critical information, dispatching emergency response services, or referring callers to other agencies.
- Demonstrated clear and effective communications and active listening with public safety responders using appropriate terminology, codes, and signals. Relaying initial information for dispatch accurately, reviewing the call for service details, and assuming incident command until first responders arrive.
- Conducted safety checks of responders and use other available technology to ensure on-scene responders’ safety.
- Operated emergency, administrative, and backup communications systems effectively.
- Interpreted local and regional geography to quickly and accurately identify the location of the emergency to improve response times of field responders.
- Operated multiple computer systems, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software, and geographical information systems (GIS), state and federal clearinghouses, call handling, including teletypewriter (TTY) and text-to-911 sessions, as well as communications systems such as radio dispatch consoles and recording systems.
Police Dispatcher
University of Southern Maine
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Trained personnel in the ARMS program, assisted students with various challenges, handled customer service, answered multi-line phones. Certified in Maine Terminal Operations through MJAC.
Public Safety Dispatcher
Town of Gorham
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Performed customer service by entering accurate calls for service for law enforcement and fire department, entry and upkeep of warrants, teletypes and protection orders, assist various courts, personnel and other departments as needed.
Police Dispatcher
California State University Fullerton
01.1998 - 01.2003
- Nationally certified in all facets of police dispatching, maintained records, trained personnel, and engaged in a large volume of public contact on a 42,000-student campus. Thorough knowledge of basic computer skills and data entry.
Education
Maine Criminal Justice Academy
Vasselboro, ME01.2004
Certificate - Business
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA01.1994
POST Certificate - Law Enforcement Communications
California Highway Patrol
Westminster, CASkills
- Logic, critical thinking, and reasoning to reach conclusions and solve problems
- Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and guidelines
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and situations
- Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively
- Maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with co-workers, other departments, the public, and other emergency service agencies
- Handle multiple tasks in emergency and non-emergency situations
- Obtain information from hostile, confusing, and emotional callers
- Provide professional customer service
- Organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks
- Use judgment and decision-making skills to rapidly evaluate situations, establish priorities, resolve matters, and pass on information, as needed
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Certification
- Emergency Telecommunicator
- Emergency Fire Dispatcher
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher
- CPR
- 911 call handling equipment and state policy
- Maine EMS
- METRO/NCIC
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Native or Bilingual
Interests
Traveling, volunteering with Veterans, Elderly, and Town of Yamrouth, historical research, reading, gardening,
Timeline
Emergency Communications Specialist
Cumberland County Regional Communications
08.2005 - 08.2025
Public Safety Dispatcher
Town of Gorham
01.2004 - 01.2005
Police Dispatcher
University of Southern Maine
01.2003 - 01.2007
Police Dispatcher
California State University Fullerton
01.1998 - 01.2003
Certificate - Business
Fullerton College
Maine Criminal Justice Academy
POST Certificate - Law Enforcement Communications
California Highway Patrol