Karen M. Tomczyk
Plainville,CT.
Summary
Dedicated professional eager to create and implement successful strategies to improve organizational efficiency. Experience in training protocol development and policy implementation. Adept at utilizing data analysis to provide insights into HR initiatives. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and committed to pursuing best practices related to employee development and retention.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Emergency Management Director
Town of Wethersfield
12.2001 - Current
- Planned, developed, organized, directed, and coordinated town's Emergency Management Program with Emergency Management Director.
- Established strong relationships with external partners for improved collaborations during crisis situation.
- Reviewed and updated Local Emergency Operation Plan (LEOP).
- Evaluated existing policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement to optimize emergency response capabilities.
- Completed and submitted Emergency Management Grant Applications and reported on progress of grants.
- Conducted Emergency Management table-top exercises of various scenarios, evaluating organizational preparedness and response.
- Enhanced public and employee notifications with implementation of Everbridge System for Town of Wethersfield.
- Updated WebEOC and Social Media account.
- Communication/Logistics team member of Regional AllHazards Incident Management Team (CT-IMT3) since July 2009, deployed to support emergency response and recovery efforts or planned event operations.
Lead Dispatcher
Town of Wethersfield
03.2017 - 04.2024
- Performed as Public Safety Telecommunicator.
- Oversaw the daily operations of nine (9) full time & one (1) part-time team of dispatchers by creating working schedules, assigning and monitoring dispatchers' work, and providing training, guidance and assistance as necessary.
- Interpreted existing and proposed laws, policies, and procedures as it relates to work area.
- Continually emphasized importance of consistency, efficiency, top quality, professional communication services.
- Provided positive and harmonious work environment by being empathetic and actively listening and respecting all employees.
- Performed variety of administrative duties; prepared written and statistical reports; composed correspondence relative to work area; developed budget recommendations for communications division; and assisted with communication portion for Accreditation process; and maintained various records and files.
- Responsible for updating of all Reference Resources, Special Needs Registry, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Priority ProQA (EMD), and radio consoles.
- Maintained 24-hour dispatch staffing scheduling (creating, posting and filling shifts).
- Conducted monthly E911 reports.
- Developed & maintained operating procedures, operational readiness and a disaster recovery contingency plan for systems in dispatch.
- Liaison to Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) vendor, hospital Med-control, Local Volunteer and Commercial EMS.
- Collaborated with Police, Fire, EMS, Information Technology, Board of Education and Emergency Management administrations and their designee regarding communication needs, issues and development of response and contingency plans.
- Improved efficiency within dispatch center operations by implementing new software.
- Administrator of the 911 System, Everbridge, RapidSOS, Priority ProQA (Emergency Medical Dispatch), NexGen (Computer Aided Dispatch), IaR (I Am Responding), Eclipse Analytics- RapidDeploy, Radio System & STOCS Boxes.
- Assisted with dispatch hiring process by working with testing vendor to develop dispatch test; being liaisons to applicants; and developing questions for Oral Board Panel.
- Developed and maintains Dispatch Trainee Training Manual, Daily Observation Reports (DOR), and Performance Evaluation Categories to ensure trainers cover all topics and evaluate trainee's progress. As Communication Training Officer (CTO) Coordinator, assigns dispatcher trainees to Communication Training Officers (CTO).
- Assisted Training Department by providing schedules of training classes for trainees and current dispatchers, developing trainee work schedule, scheduling trainee ride-a- longs with Police and Fire.
- Assisted Infectious Control Officer by conducting HEPA Respirator Fit Testing of police officers.
- Incident Communications Dispatcher for Capitol Region Incident Communication Team (I-COMM) since May 2003, deployed to critical incidents or planned events, providing communications, logistics and planning functions. Maintains and operates Communication Radio Truck.
Dispatcher
Town of Wethersfield
03.1997 - 03.2017
- Dispatcher at 24-hour Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) center that dispatches Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, providing emergency medical dispatch / pre-arrival medical instructions (EMD).
- Received routine and emergency calls via 911 system, routine phone lines and radios.
- Provided exceptional customer service to callers, remaining empathetic and patient.
- Obtained pertinent information to determine proper resources and response to a call.
- Prioritized calls in order to effectively dispatch units while tracking data in real-time environments.
- Relayed latest information to first responders via radio, electronic means, or telephone.
- Monitored multi-town radio talk groups and frequencies that covers the town, surrounding towns, regional and state agencies.
- Monitored prisoners, in-house mechanical alarm signals, department cameras and radio sites.
- Worked with little or no supervision.
- Maintained a positive work environment by assisting others when needed.
- Remained calm during high stressed situations and demonstrated adaptability in evolving situations by adjusting strategies in real time as new information became available.
- Utilized multiple computer terminal with accuracy and speed.
- Utilized Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communication Teleprocessing (COLLECT) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) terminal to input, retrieve and sent information.
- Completed various documents daily which includes shift rosters, vacant house checks, private duty road jobs, school crossing guards, and court transmittal reports to Superior Court. Along with completing weekly PRAWN letters.
- Implemented radio failure procedures, 911 system trouble re-routing procedures, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) failure procedures, and any other essential dispatch equipment failures.
Dispatcher
AMR (Superior Ambulance)
01.1995 - 03.1997
- Dispatched Wheelchair vans and livery medical services.
- Employee scheduling and timesheet review.
- Directed dispatching, routing, and tracking of fleet vehicles.
- Vehicle inspections.
- Managed high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
Dispatcher
CWS Transportation
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Dispatched wheelchair vans, livery, taxi of Bristol, and school livery vehicles.
- Developed school routes for drivers.
- Fill in for drivers as needed.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Newington EMS
01.1992 - 07.1999
- Performed Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Probationary Member Training Coordinator, overseeing field trainers and new member training.
- Contributed to positive work environment by providing mentorship and support to new EMTs joining the organization.
- Ensured accurate documentation of patient information, assessment findings, interventions performed, and overall condition by completing detailed reports in compliance with legal requirements and industry standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Emergency Management & Homeland Security
Post University
Waterbury, CT.05.2020
High School Diploma -
Plainville High School
Plainville, CT06.1989
Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Excellent written and oral communications
- CPR/AED/First Aid Trainer
- HEPA Respirator Fit-Tester
- Planning and Coordination
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Training and Development
- Multitasking Abilities
- Employee Schedule Management
- Customer Service
- Communication Equipment Operation
- Interpersonal Communication
- Microsoft Office
- Active Listening
- Self-Motivated
- Dependable and Responsible
Accomplishments
- Implementation and management of Town of Wethersfield's Everbridge system.
- Led the implementation of Emergency Medical Dispatching programming to the department.
- Collaborated with a team of 2 to develop and launch the Town's Special Needs Registry.
- Created training manual, daily observation report and evaluation categories documents for probationary dispatchers.
- Created Dispatch schedules as the division increased in dispatchers.
- Co-created the department's Wellness Room.
- Coordinated and supervised the department's annual children's holiday party for 18 years.
Certification
- State of Connecticut Public Safety Telecommunicator
- EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch- Priority
- CTO - Communications Training Officer -APCO
- COLLECT/NCIC
- American Red Cross Instructor (CPR/AED/First Aid)
- FEMA ICS 100 Intro to ICS
- FEMA ICS 200 ICS for Single Resources & Initial Action Incidents
- FEMA ICS 300 Intermediate ICS
- FEMA ICS 400 Advanced ICS for Command & General Staff
- FEMA IS 700 NIMS
- FEMA IS 800 National Response Plan (NRP)
- FEMA IS 00042 Social Media in Emergency Management
- FEMA IS 00120.c Intro to Exercises
- FEMA IS 201 Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan
- FEMA IS 230 Principle of Emergency Management
- FEMA IS 235 Emergency Planning
- FEMA IS 240.b Leadership & Influence
- FEMA IS 242 Effective Communications
- FEMA IS 244.b Developing & Managing Volunteers
- FEMA IS 248 IPAWS for the American Public
- WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Incident Command Course
- Incident Leadership (DHS CA-010-PREV/ NWCG L-381)
- FEMA National Fire Academy USFA TYPE 3 Incident Management Team Training
- Disasters & the Dispatcher Cert from Powerphone
- ICS/EOC -191 Interface Workshop
- FEMA Social Media for Natural Disaster Response & Recovery
Additional Information
- May 15, 1997- Commendation for actions taken as a dispatcher Trainee during the Dynamic Coin Robbery & Shooting that occurred on April 24, 1997, from Town Manager Lee C. Erdmann
- June 20, 2000- Town of Wethersfield Extraordinary Service Award from the Town Manager Lee Erdmann and Mayor Wayne Sassano.
- May 13, 2015- Wethersfield Chambers of Commerce 2015 Town of Wethersfield Employee of the Year.
- April 8, 2021- Report of Supervisor Commendation for actions taken as Lead Dispatcher assisting the department and Town during COVID from Sgt. Oscar Rivera (Infectious Control Officer).
- October 28, 2023- as a team member of the Capitol Region Incident Communication Team (I-COMM), we were nominated and awarded “Team of the Year” by the Atlantic Chapter of APCO in Albany, NY.
Timeline
Lead Dispatcher
Town of Wethersfield
03.2017 - 04.2024
Deputy Emergency Management Director
Town of Wethersfield
12.2001 - Current
Dispatcher
Town of Wethersfield
03.1997 - 03.2017
Dispatcher
AMR (Superior Ambulance)
01.1995 - 03.1997
Dispatcher
CWS Transportation
01.1993 - 01.1995
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Newington EMS
01.1992 - 07.1999
Bachelor of Science - Emergency Management & Homeland Security
Post University
High School Diploma -
Plainville High School
- State of Connecticut Public Safety Telecommunicator
- EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch- Priority
- CTO - Communications Training Officer -APCO
- COLLECT/NCIC
- American Red Cross Instructor (CPR/AED/First Aid)
- FEMA ICS 100 Intro to ICS
- FEMA ICS 200 ICS for Single Resources & Initial Action Incidents
- FEMA ICS 300 Intermediate ICS
- FEMA ICS 400 Advanced ICS for Command & General Staff
- FEMA IS 700 NIMS
- FEMA IS 800 National Response Plan (NRP)
- FEMA IS 00042 Social Media in Emergency Management
- FEMA IS 00120.c Intro to Exercises
- FEMA IS 201 Forms Used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan
- FEMA IS 230 Principle of Emergency Management
- FEMA IS 235 Emergency Planning
- FEMA IS 240.b Leadership & Influence
- FEMA IS 242 Effective Communications
- FEMA IS 244.b Developing & Managing Volunteers
- FEMA IS 248 IPAWS for the American Public
- WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Incident Command Course
- Incident Leadership (DHS CA-010-PREV/ NWCG L-381)
- FEMA National Fire Academy USFA TYPE 3 Incident Management Team Training
- Disasters & the Dispatcher Cert from Powerphone
- ICS/EOC -191 Interface Workshop
- FEMA Social Media for Natural Disaster Response & Recovery
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