






The Kern County Fire Department is pleased to submit this 2012 Hazardous
Materials Commodities Flow Study for Kern County.
The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Commodities Flow Study was to identify the
types and amounts of hazardous commodities transported through a specified geographic
area of Kern County, as well as the routes on which they are transported. Chemicals
transported have been identified specifically or by hazard class, as well as the types of
vehicles used to transport them and the routes they take in and out of a geographic area.
Upon completion of the Kern County Hazardous Materials Commodities Flow Study,
planners will have a better understanding of hazardous materials transportation patterns,
and these data can be used conduct planning and estimate risks facing the area. First
responders can utilize this study as a guide to anticipate potential chemicals involved in a
spill in a specific area of Kern County. This study can be used to assess total truck traffic,
daily and seasonal variations in traffic, awareness and training of drivers and emergency
personnel in the area, and frequently used transportation routes. Conducting an analysis
of commodity flows is an important step in assessing transportation-related hazardous
materials risks.