National First Responders Day: Behind the jobs of KCFD personnel

The Bakersfield Californian
·1 min read

Oct. 28—What do Kern County Fire Department firefighters do? Fight fires at homes and businesses? Of course. But there's so much more. Add fire prevention, rescues, air operations, hazardous materials response and mitigation, arson investigation, public education, equipment maintenance and emergency medical services to the list.

This year, with incredible flooding in the spring, KCFD was on the scene protecting life and property.

So what do firefighters do? In one word: lots.

Its mission: "The Kern County Fire Department is dedicated to protecting life and property by providing effective public education, fire prevention, and emergency services. We are committed to proudly serve our community in the safest, most professional and efficient manner."

KCFD personnel protect an area of more than 8,000 square miles, including the unincorporated areas of Kern County and the cities of Arvin, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi and Wasco, according to the KCFD website. Plus the department maintains mutual aid agreements.

The department's Emergency Communications Center receives and dispatches fire, medical and rescue calls.

The Emergency Operations Center supports multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdiction disaster responses.