David Witt

Interim Fire Chief & Director of
Emergency Services  

February 8, 2019     

As your Kern County Interim Fire Chief, I never want to wake up in the middle of the night to hear about someone dying because of a fire. The tragic events of last night make our community sit up and take notice.

House fires are somewhat common. We have to be vigilant, as families, to prepare and practice what needs to be done before, during and even after a fire. I’d like to take this time to remind everyone about some of the pillars of being fire safe in the home:

1. Make sure you and your family have a fire escape plan.
   • Walk through your home and go through all possible exits and escape routes 
   • Know two ways out of each room
   •  Choose a meeting place a safe distance away from the home where, everyone can meet after they have escaped 
   • Once you are out, stay out! Then, call 911.
2. Close the door. A closed door in a home can slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. 
3. Always have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
   • Install smoke alarms inside every sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on every level on the home
4. Always remember, in any emergency, call 911.

For more information on home fire safety, visit our website kerncountyfire.org.

And, don’t forget to follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Cal Fire has provided a data viewer to assist landowners in determining if their property may fall within State Responsibility Area (SRA).  SRA boundaries are those adopted by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection in January, 2011, updated to reflect changes as of July 1, 2016. They are the official boundaries recognized by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to define the areas where CAL FIRE has financial responsibility for fire suppression and prevention. 

Click Here to Access the Cal Fire SRA Viewer.

Office of the Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention

2820 M Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
www.kerncountyfire.org
Telephone 661-391-3462 FAX 661-636-0466/67 
TTY Relay 800-735-2929

This bulletin is to alert business owners there are impersonators utilizing the name ALIK FIRE CONTROL and they are coming to businesses to service fire extinguishers.  These imposters have been using high-pressure sales tactics or deceptive methods to convince businesses to purchase their services.  Watch out for individuals with the following suspicious characteristics:

• Wear uniforms with patches similar to those worn by Fire Department staff and give the impression that they are from the Fire Department
• Claim that they are Fire Marshals and are authorized to close the business if not allowed to do an inspection of their fire protection systems and make subsequent repairs.
• Claim they are there to provide service on extinguishers or hood duct systems that have previously been serviced by another company.

The Kern County Fire Department does not endorse, recommend, or send any fire protection service companies to a local business.  It is up to the business owner to seek those services when needed.

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a fire protection service company:

• Be sure that the service technician has proper identification and that he or she is from the company that you selected.
• Ask the company to verify they have a certificate of Registration and or C-16 License which is valid and current through the California State Fire Marshal's Office and Contractors State License Board.
• Do not permit a service company to provide service that you did not request or that is not required.
• Do not pay by cash

We want your business, your employees, and your clients safely protected from fire.  Fire protection systems and fire extinguishers, that are properly installed and serviced, will save lives and protect property.  If you have any questions regarding this matter, or if you require assistance checking the status of a fire protection company, please call the Kern County Fire Department Fire Prevention Unit at (661) 391-3310.

If you have received a hazard reduction citation and/or need more information click here to request a review.

Tree Mortality rates throughout California have skyrocketed.   Click here for information.

Click here for the latest information on the the Isabella Dam from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Final Draft of the Kelso Creek Communities Emergency Operations Plan has been released.   Click here for access.