Getting to Know Your Board…

Duaine Hoerth

Northern Director, Duaine Hoerth

I was born and raised in California. I’ve lived here my entire life, except two years, when I was in the Military.  I spent most of those two years in Germany and loved every minute I was there.  If I had a chance to live in any other country, it would be Germany.

I started my career in Law Enforcement at the age of nineteen.  I started as a Police Reserve for Manteca Police Department back in 1981.  I decided that Law Enforcement was the career path I wanted to follow but, couldn’t be a Police officer until I turned twenty one years old.  At the age of twenty, I decided to join the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer.  After completing my tour in the Army, I returned to California and attended the Police Academy.  After testing for several Police Agencies, I was hired by Manteca Police Department as a Full time Police Officer.  This was where my journey to the position of 9-1-1 Dispatcher began. 

About two years into my career as a Police officer, I was playing football for the Manteca vs. Tracy Pig Bowl.  During the game I injured my knee.  While I was lying on the field, the Chief of Police, who was also playing in the game, came over and said “Kick some dirt on it, it will be ok” (remember that as it will be coming up later).  After having surgery on my knee, I was placed on light duty.  You will never guess where they put Police Officers on light duty.  Yep, you guessed it, Dispatch!!  That is when I learned how to dispatch.  This wasn’t a bad thing.  We were short handed and every time a backup dispatcher was needed, I was paid overtime at police officer wages to cover the shift. 

After three years, I became a K-9 Officer.  This had been my dream and I loved every minute in that position.  I miss being a K-9 officer the most.  Five years into my career, my journey took a different path.  On September 23rd 1991, I went for a casual motorcycle ride in the hills just outside of Tracy.   During the ride, I was involved in an accident and in a split second, life as I knew it changed forever.  I had broken my back and became paraplegic.  After surgery, the Doctors told me that I would never walk again.  You could imagine what I was thinking.  If it weren’t for the support of my family and friends, I don’t know where I would be today.  I still remember when the Chief of Police came to see me in the hospital.  I looked him in the eye and said “I’ll just kick some dirt on it and it will be ok”.  I have learned to live by those words.  Nothing in life can be so bad that kicking a little dirt on it wouldn’t help.  So my career as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher begins. 

After My accident I decided that I wanted continue my career in law enforcement.  In February 1992, I became a full time 9-1-1 dispatcher for Manteca Police Department.  In 1998, I left Manteca and went to work for Tracy Police Department where I am currently employed.  After a few years at Tracy P.D., I decided I wanted to do more than just report to dispatch everyday.  I became a Tactical Dispatcher.  I attended a meeting in Roseville where I was elected as the Northern Director for the original board of the CTDA California Tactical Dispatchers Association.  After the Oakland P.D. tragedy, where four officers were killed in the line of duty, it was decided that the CTDA would switch gears and become the California Emergency Dispatchers Association, CAL-EDA.  A dispatchers association for all California dispatchers!!  I was very happy and eager to continue on the board as the Northern Director for CAL-EDA.  Although it seems like being a board member for both associations is another full time job, I wouldn’t change or give it up for the world.  During my time on the board, I have met and become friends with so many awesome people and look forward to future friendships.  CAL-EDA is the next big step for all California Dispatchers.  I think the Mission Statement says it.  “CAL-EDA is a member driven organization, created by Dispatchers for Dispatchers, to provide innovative and professional training, networking opportunities, and act as advocates for Emergency Dispatchers by promoting their positive impact upon the citizens of California.”  As California Dispatchers, we are the best of the best and I am proud to call this my career. 

As for outside of my career, I like the outdoors.  I love to fish, camp, cook and barbeque.  I like to experiment with different foods as some of you may know.  I enjoy spending time with my family (Grand kids are awesome) and friends.  I take life a day at a time and look forward to that next big adventure. 

I would like to thank you all for the fine jobs you do. 

I know some day this all has to come to an end but, until then, I’ll just keep on keepin on.

Duaine