Laurene Anderson – 911 Manager
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Office: 941-575-5339
Email:LAnderson@ccsofl.net
While the position of 911 Manager is a county appointed position, it is managed by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. This position is commonly referred to as the county 9-1-1 Coordinator. Every county in the state of Florida has an individual designated as the 9-1-1 Coordinator however titles may vary. The 911 Manager is the liaison between Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Management Services. The 911 Manager manages the technical, budgetary and operational aspects of the countywide 9-1-1 telephone system including the city limits of Punta Gorda. The 911 Manager works closely with Communications personnel of both the Charlotte County and Punta Gorda Public Safety Dispatch Centers to ensure guidelines of the Florida State Plan are met and centers are meeting or exceeding industry standards. The 911 Manager monitors legislative issues as they pertain to 9-1-1 and keeps current with changes in the industry technologies and standards to ensure that Charlotte County is at the forefront for receiving the best possible services. The 911 Manager promotes 9-1-1 public awareness through public education in the schools and through public events. For more event information, visit the events calendar of the E911 website.
Melanie Bailey – Public Safety Communications Manager
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Office: 941-833-1889
Email: MBailey@ccsofl.net
The role of the Public Safety Communications Manager for the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is to manage and supervise the CCSO Emergency Communications Center in its day-to-day operations. Though a Civilian position, The Communications Manager is a state certified Public Safety Telecommunications Operator that has served the agency in the position of Supervisor within the Communications Unit, while also being a certified Communications Training Officer. The Communications Manager is required to establish and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of operating procedures and equipment in the Communications Unit. The Communications Manager provides recommendations to the Training Department regarding new hire training and continuing education needs of Public Safety Communications Staff. The Communications Manager is also responsible for maintaining CJIS Compliance for the agency, which entails FCIC/NCIC certification and recertification courses and testing for both Civilian positions and Sworn LEO. The Communications Manager serves as the agency FCIC Agency Coordinator (FAC) for FDLE and is the Point of Contact (POC) for Highway Safety Motor Vehicles (HSMV).
Diane Barton – E911 Database Analyst
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Office: 941-575-5262
Email: DBarton@ccsofl.net
E911 Database Analyst is vital to the routing of the 9-1-1 calls for proper responses to an emergency. It is the job of the analyst to work with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Punta Gorda Police Dept. (PGPD), and the Charlotte County Fire Dept. to set the emergency response areas and assign an associated emergency service number that is the essential routing of 9-1-1 calls. The database analyst provides updates to the County and City GIS departments. The analyst updates the 9-1-1 telephone and mapping databases so calls are routed to the correct 9-1-1 dispatch center within the county. The analyst works with the 9-1-1 network provider to ensure accuracy of telephone records within the database. The analyst also helps the E911 Administrator to promote 9-1-1 public awareness through public education in the schools and through public events.
Audrey Denis – Communications Supervisor
Punta Gorda Police Department
Office: 941-575-5511
Email: ADenis@cityofpuntagordafl.com
The Communications Supervisor oversees a staff of eight dispatchers on a 24/7, 365 day basis with three 8-hour daily shifts. Minimum staffing is no less than two dispatchers per shift and to meet that requirement; the Communications Supervisor is assigned two 8-hour shifts per week as a dispatcher/call taker. The remainder of the week is focused on administrative processes. The supervisor schedules staffing needs including vacation and sick time coverage, processes payroll, conducts monthly quality assurance reviews and response time reports for dispatchers and patrol. In addition to daily administrative work, the supervisor works with command staff preparing budgets, procuring new equipment and conducting annual performance evaluations. Local, regional and state-wide meetings are attended throughout the year with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to keep current on technology in the industry and stay informed of legislative challenges. The supervisor and lead trainer are tasked with keeping certifications up- to-date with continuing education unit requirements (CEUs). In addition to the logistics of running a communications center, the supervisor must recognize and address stress levels and morale among the dispatchers; keeping their general wellbeing in balance.