11/26/2025
We wanted to take a moment to recognize one of our dispatchers who did the right thing while on her way to work on November 24th.
Christine arrived at work visibly shaken and upset. She explained that she had to call the fire department because her neighbor’s shed was on fire. I asked Christine to come into the office so we could talk about what happened. When she entered the room, she smelled strongly of smoke.
Christine stated that after calling 911, she jumped out of her car and ran to the trailers on either side of the burning shed. Christine described how she had to pound on their doors while yelling at the residents to get out. No one was home in the trailer on the left, but there was a resident in the trailer on the right. Christine said that he was able to grab his dog and evacuate safely. She said she waited until the fire trucks began arriving in her park and then left to come straight to work. I told Christine she did a good job, encouraged her to take some deep breaths, and gave her a moment to recover from the adrenaline.
Later that evening, Charlotte County Public Safety posted the photos below on Facebook. I met with Christine privately to show her the pictures and again reiterate what an outstanding job she did. Had Christine not noticed the fire, called 911, and alerted the nearby residents, there could have been far greater loss—and possibly even loss of life.
Christine’s actions that day reflect who she is—not just as a dispatcher, but as a person. Her instinct to help others, especially in a dangerous situation, demonstrates a level of courage that cannot be taught. Although she was understandably upset, once we debriefed, she returned to her duties with professionalism and focus. Her ability to manage stress and continue performing at a high level is commendable, and I applaud her actions and behavior that day.
