There’s no doubt Ellen Pittman (42), an assistant supervisor for the Department of Public Safety Communications in Fairfax County, Va., is a go-getter. A military veteran, Pittman spent eight years in the U.S. Army and was a Spanish linguist. She has travelled to various countries, including Panama, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Spain and Korea. When she came to Fairfax, she brought with her a broad knowledge base and valuable skill set that has served her well in the public safety sector.

She began her training in Fairfax at the Public Safety Academy, where she learned the skills to be a 9-1-1 calltaker, also receiving on-the-job training. She served as a calltaker for approximately six months. After that, she served as a police and fire dispatcher for approximately one year.

“I progressed quickly,” Pittman says.

She was promoted to an assistant supervisor in February 2008. Serving in that capacity, she is responsible for involving others in the agency. She also works with other agencies in Virginia. Her interactions include dealing with colleagues in Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties. Mutual aid agreements are in place and involve sharing units among the jurisdictional borders.

“We are there to assist each other and draw on that daily,” she says.

The Instructor & Manager
She is also attentive to the need to cross train personnel. “I look at individuals as they progress through their training and try to make a match for them to continue up the ladder. I want to make sure the employees have everything they need to be successful,” she says.

In addition to her role as an assistant supervisor, Pittman sends 10% of her time as an instructor at the Public Safety Academy. In 2007, an opportunity arose at the academy, and she became the lead instructor, training new hires. She teaches employees how to use the emergency medical dispatch (EMD) cards and also serves as a CPR instructor.

Pittman works the night shift from 6:30 p.m.-7:00 a.m. The squad, as a whole, comprises 35 people, nine under her supervision. Her shift handles a lot of priority calls.

“I feel it’s my job to make my lead supervisor look the best he can,” Pittman says.

Pittman says the key elements necessary to do her job include the abilities to multitask and make quick decisions, as well as having the strong desire to help citizens, firefighters and police officers. She maintains that individuals in her role must do what they can to make someone’s life better.

“In any situation, you are going to have people from distinctive backgrounds,” she says.

Therefore, to be a good supervisor, Pittman believes one has to be able to communicate effectively and talk to one’s staff. She also contends that, as a supervisor, she must be able to listen well — even if she doesn’t agree with the employee — and she must be able to handle dissension.

She acknowledges the job can be frustrating. Although personally, she says she does not experience a great deal of frustration. Pittman maintains the philosophy that one has to take everything as it comes and deal with it at the moment. “It has its moments of high stress, but it’s not bad stress. It keeps us going and keeps us thinking,” Pittman says.

Pittman enjoys working with police officers and firefighters and the atmosphere of the surrounding work environment. “I find police dispatching much more enjoyable. You have to think ahead and have scenarios going. I am always thinking three moves ahead,” she says.

“I truly enjoy working with the group of people I work with,” she says. She is of the opinion that people must enjoy what they do. “It’s exciting. I like talking to citizens and helping them the best way I can,” she says.

Off Duty
Pittman prefers to have a life outside of work and manages to keep her personal life separate from her professional life. Married, with two grown children, she is currently attending George Mason University, finishing her degree in Spanish, with an anticipated graduation date in May 2012.

“I’m willing to sacrifice on sleep right now because I have a goal to accomplish,” she says.

When Pittman exited the Army, she intended to go to nursing school, but instead, found herself employed in the public safety sector in the communications area. Although this was not the career she set her sights on, Pittman genuinely enjoys what she does, and she obviously does it well because she was nominated for an award from the Virginia Chapter of APCO International.

Pittman’s professional demeanor, dedicated work ethic and skilled level of expertise make her a genuine asset to her public safety organization. She has demonstrated that she lets no grass grow under her feet and is able to serve as a mentor to those who aspire to a career in the field. She is, unequivocally, a mover and a shaker.

About the Author
Karen L. Bune is a victim specialist in the domestic violence unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office for Prince George’s County, Md. She serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and Marymount University in Arlington, Va., where she teaches victimology.

Bune is a consultant for the Training and Technical Assistance Center for the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U. S. Department of Justice. She is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on victim issues. She is board-certified in traumatic stress and domestic violence, and is a fellow of The Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the National Center for Crisis Management.

She is a 2009 inductee in the Wakefield High School (Arlington, Va.) Hall of Fame and received the Chief’s Award from the Prince George’s County Maryland Police Chief in 2009.