Bakersfield, Calif.- The Kern County Fire Department has been awarded a $40,200.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for the purchase of new extrication equipment that will be used to rescue crash victims. Known as the “jaws of life,” first responders use these rescue tools to break apart a wrecked vehicle with the victims trapped inside. The tools help reduce the time it takes to rescue and treat victims.

So far this year, the Kern County Fire Department has responded to 3,419 vehicle accidents, of those 1,317 would be considered major impact rescues. To date 100 separate accidents in 2019 have required extrication.

“These new ‘eDRAULIC’ tools are lighter and easier to maneuver, allowing us to remove a trapped person more quickly, this directly improves the patient’s chances of survival,” said Kern County Fire Chief, David Witt. “When every second counts, having reliable equipment becomes a crucial element for our firefighters to provide life saving care.”

Delays in extrication can negatively impact the patient’s critical “golden hour” of trauma survivability. The “golden hour” for Emergency Medical Services is the core principle of rapid intervention in trauma cases: 1) get to the patient quickly, 2) treat what can be treated on scene, and 3) quickly get the patient to the right hospital. Anything that can be done to reduce each of these time periods aids in patient survival and recovery.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Today the Kern County Fire Department announces the use of Smart911, which enables its users to create a free, private, and secure Safety Profile. When someone creates a Safety Profile they are planning ahead for potential emergencies. This proactive planning provides Emergency Dispatchers and Firefighters with information that helps them locate and help individuals requiring assistance during an emergency

When creating a Safety Profile users choose how much and what information to provide. Some examples include:

- Address
- Medical History
- Medications
- Allergies
- Pets
- Emergency Contacts

Smart911 is a national service meaning the Safety Profile travels with the user and is accessible by any participating 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center nationwide. 

Register today at smart911.com or download the Mobile App from the App Store or Google Play.

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

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.

Click here for APN/ATN Lookups.

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

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

Fire Chief Appointment

June 11, 2019                                          

This afternoon the Kern County Board of Supervisors appointed a new Fire Chief of the Kern County Fire Department, former Interim Fire Chief David Witt. Chief Witt, a Kern County native, has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since February of this year. We are honored to announce the appointment of such a highly qualified and motivated individual to lead this County’s Fire Department. We thank the Board of Supervisors for appointing a Fire Chief that members of the fire department and the communities it serves can have confidence in.