Kern County Fire Department Website
Kern County Fire Department Website

About Us

Mission Statement

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 Facts

Fire ChiefDennis Thompson
Population500,000+
Land Area8,141 square miles
Cities9
Communities41
Incidents37,488 (2006)
Unit Responses63,284 (2006)
Budget$123,468,520.00 (FY 07/08)

Operations Profile

Battalions7
Fire Stations46
Engines51
Ladder Trucks4
Patrols41
Command Vehicles7
Dozers7
Water Tenders3
Hand Crews3
Crash Rescue3
Helicopter1
Haz Mat Response Team1
Urban Search & Rescue1
Hotshot Crews1
Air Van1

Department Profile

The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) is an organization comprised of over 625 permanent employees protecting an area which spans over 8,000 square miles.

We provide fire protection services for over 500,000 citizens living in the unincorporated areas of Kern County and the cities of Arvin, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi and Wasco. Over 546 uniformed firefighters are stationed in 46 fire stations throughout Kern County. Added to this, the Kern County Fire Department has 14 Mutual Aid Agreements with neighboring fire suppression organizations to further strengthen the emergency services available to our customers.

Firefighter Duties Includes:

  • Fire Suppression
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Hazardous Materials Mitigation
  • Fire Prevention
  • Rescue
  • Air Operations
  • Training and Public Education
  • Arson Investigation
  • Apparatus Maintenance

Personnel Profile

Uniformed Personnel546
On-Duty Strength157
Non-Uniformed (Civilian) Personnel79
Extra Help100
Total Department Personnel725