History of CAL-EDA

 

It all started in 2003 when former President Kurt Anderson (Roseville Police Department) had an idea for Tactical Dispatchers to get together and talk about things specific to their areas of expertise.  The meeting consisted of a free lunch and was attended by over 100 dispatchers from all over California.  During that meeting, a board of directors was formed and the California Tactical Dispatchers Association (CTDA) was born. CTDA Logo

CTDA held regional training meetings and annual conferences at Bass Lake.  We had speakers at our regional training who worked the Amish school shootings, the Columbine High School shootings, the Trolly Mall shooting, the North Hollywood Bank of America shootout and we also had two dispatchers who were on duty during the September 11, 2001 terrorist tragedy.

In March 2009, tragedy befell the Oakland Police Department when four Officers were shot and killed in the line of duty, all during the same incident.  Instantly, CTDA members knew someone needed to step up and offer assistance to our fellow dispatchers at Oakland PD.  CTDA put out a call for help not only to Tactical Dispatchers of California, but to ALL dispatchers. 

In an incredible and unprecedented outpouring of support from every corner of the state, 107 Public Safety Dispatchers and Dispatch Managers volunteered their time to work in the Oakland Police Communications Center for 3 ½ days.  This gave Oakland Police Dispatchers the time to take care of themselves and each other, without the added burden of keeping their Communications Center staffed.

CAL-EDA LogoIt was during one of those 12 hour volunteer shifts that the realization came.  It was time to take CTDA to the next level; where bigger and better things were envisioned not only for our current membership, but for ALL California Emergency Dispatchers.

And from CTDA, the California Emergency Dispatchers Association (CAL-EDA) was born.  A professional association that would encompass ALL Emergency Dispatchers, to include Police, Fire and EMS.

In June 2009, twenty dispatchers representing California agencies large and small mapped out the direction of the new association.  The goals were simple:

  • Provide relevant, quality training for dispatchers by dispatchers.
  • Offer venues for Dispatchers to get together outside of work, in a relaxed atmosphere, for networking and where friendships could be forged.
  • Provide a means to spotlight the positive impact Public Safety Dispatchers have in California every single day.
  • And equally as important, where Dispatchers outside of Law Enforcement were previously excluded. CAL-EDA will be inclusive and beneficial to not only Law Enforcement Dispatchers, but to Fire and EMS Dispatchers as well. 

In January 2010, the new association officially started. It wasn't long before we had memberships from dispatchers in over 94 agencies. In our inaugural year, we offered classes, networking opportunities and in January 2011, we had our first group cruise to Mexico. With your help and participation, we look forward to expanding our classes and events in the upcoming years.

 

CAL-EDA Mission Statement

CAL-EDA is a member driven organization created for Dispatchers, by Dispatchers, to provide innovative and professional training, networking opportunities, and act as advocates for Public Safety Dispatchers by promoting their positive impact upon the citizens of California.