California Emergency Dispatcher Association Newsletter

Getting to Know Your Board…

President Kurt Anderson

I began dispatching about 19 years ago for the Sacramento Police Department. I've been a CTO and helped start the Tactical Dispatch Team. I left Sacramento Police after 15 years and landed at the Roseville Police Department. What I really enjoy most about this career, and belonging to the association is going to sound cliché, but I enjoy helping people. I enjoy talking to people, and once in a great while even making a difference in someone’s life.

CAL-EDA was started after March of 2009, when the four Oakland Police Officers were slain. At the time, I was the President of the California Tactical Dispatcher Association. We mobilized dispatchers from throughout the state to assist the Oakland Police Dispatchers in their time of need. Looking back at what was accomplished, by 107 dispatchers from all over the state of California, it was then that we decided we can do more and be even better. We needed to "Do the Right Thing". The right thing was to include ALL dispatchers, both Police and Fire, and open the Association up to everyone. CAL-EDA is the first statewide professional association for Public Safety Dispatchers in the country.

Some of the things that I enjoy about the association would be the camaraderie, going to a conference and being able to sit down and talk to another dispatcher, even if you don't know each other. I have met some amazing dispatchers both within California, and from across the United States, and remain friends with them to this day.

On a personal note, I have 2 sons and enjoy being involved with them as much as I can. I coach my son's baseball team and will probably get roped into doing that again when my 5 year old starts playing soon. I enjoy cooking, but not for just myself. I enjoy cooking for large crowds. I also enjoy planning events, the bigger the better! I also play golf …but hate it......

Healthy Eating Recipe

Dispatch...a Comparison over the Years

by Traci Fitzsimmons

When I began my dispatch career back in the early 1980's fresh out of high school, I was impressed by the technology at the time, CAD, reel to reel tapes to document the radio and phone transmissions, teletypes that rolled out in hard copy on the green and white continuous perforated paper. I left the field after 5 years and then returned about 12 years later to the same dispatch center I had worked at previously. The changes were pretty incredible when I returned. Everything was now Windows related for CAD and the number of computer screens had doubled. Not to mention all the new programs that were internal and internet available to assist in research and the fact that everything was now digital.

 This got me thinking that it would be interesting to get the point of view of a couple of dispatchers with different backgrounds in the field. I chose to speak with Larry Swanson a 31 year veteran, and Brandy Hoffman who has been in the field for just under 2 1/2 years. Both began their careers with and are currently employed by Yolo Co. Communications.  Brandy began her time in dispatch as Dispatch Assistant and is now an on line Dispatcher II.  Larry began his career on the line and is now an I.T. Specialist II.

Each Dispatcher was asked a series of questions and these are the answers they provided.