As we head into Fall, we are thankful for the decrease in wildland fire activity so far this fire season. However, we must remind ourselves not to become complacent and stay ready at all times. Make sure you are ready to remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
While we have gotten a reprieve so far this wildland fire season, our call volume continues to increase. The growing homeless, mental health, drug, alcohol, and gang problems have continued to strain Kern County Fire Department resources – as we are often the first points of contact in these situations.
In other news, your Kern County Firefighters continue to defend against the attacks on our pay and benefits. This month we will be heading into the final stages of negotiations before the County can impose the pay reductions they have promised. Year after year, county leaders pass a budget for fire services that does not take into consideration operating expenses, vehicle replacement, and more. An independent CPA has verified this fact. Unfortunately, when you control the budget, you control the narrative and the Kern County CAO as well as the Board of Supervisors have made it very clear they have no intention on doing anything other than reducing the pay of our hardworking Firefighters. The reality is that many other fire departments up and down California are hiring Firefighters at more competitive wages and benefits. This has given our highly experienced Kern Firefighters several options to provide for their families, and in the process, the KCFD continues to lose highly qualified Firefighters.
In closing, I want to once again thank all of the sponsors and attendees of our Inaugural First Responders Recognition event in partnership with the Kern Law Enforcement Association. Hundreds turned out for what can be lauded as the hottest event ever in Kern County. The wonderful staff at Seven Oaks Country Club worked closely with our event coordinators to make it a special night and we are already in the process of planning for next year’s celebration.
Thank you for your continuing support of our Kern County Firefighters.
Sincerely,
David Nelson
President
Kern County Firefighters Local 1301
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Kern County firefighters sent to help battle Tehama County wildfire
Kern County firefighters are being sent to Tehama County in Northern California to battle an out of control wildfire. Kern County Fire said it is sending three Type 3 OES engines and nine personnel to help Cal Fire battle the Red Bank Fire. The fire is so far at only 7% containment and has burned 7.340 acres Cal Fire said Friday evening. Cal Fire said lightning started the fire. The fire broke out Friday afternoon and officials said it is burning in a remote location with difficult access.
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Speaking Out About Fire Fighter Suicides
The results of a national study show that between 2015 and 2017, fire fighters were more likely to die from suicide than in the line of duty. The factors that drive people to suicide are complex; however, exposure to trauma and the resulting mental disorders are known to increase suicide risk. While the causes of suicide are complicated, one thing is clear: This problem is not going away. The good news is that change can start with you. Opening conversations about mental health and suicide with fire fighters and paramedics could save a life. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, don’t wait to ask for help today.
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Be prepared for any emergency
September is National Preparedness Month. Government agencies, including the Kern County Fire Department, will be encouraging residents to be prepared to survive disaster events. Government agencies can only inform and encourage - preparedness starts with you! Many types of disasters can happen in Kern County, but no one can predict with certainty when they may occur. We must be prepared for wildfires, flash floods, wind events, mud and rockslides, long term power outages and earthquakes. I don’t imagine our Ridgecrest or Inyokern neighbors planned to spend the Independence Day weekend dealing with a major earthquake, but real-world disaster events are not influenced by social calendars.
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Two Simi Valley families recovering after boat fire at Buena Vista Lake
When Dustin Lee and Joey Nixon took their families to Buena Vista Lake last weekend, they were unaware of the dreadful reality that would follow. On Saturday morning, Kern County emergency crews rushed to the lake for reports of a flash fire that ignited on a boat burning eight people. The Lees and Nixons were all rushed to the hospital, Kern County Battalion Chief Steve Pendergrass said. Dustin Lee, 35, and his 14 month-old son had to be airlifted to the hospital, while the rest of his family was transported by ambulances, according to Lee's brother Bryan Lee.
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Photo by Nick Smirnoff/Tehachapi News
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Fire Department arrests man suspected of starting six fires in Tehachapi and Edison
The Kern County Fire Department has arrested a suspect believed to be involved in six vegetation fires that occurred in Tehachapi and Edison on Thursday and Friday. The Arson Investigation Unit made the arrest of the unidentified individual, according to the Fire Department. The first fire began at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, according to a Fire Department report. Two other fires occurred that day in Tehachapi, the largest occurring near the railroad tracks at Highway 58 and Tucker Road, reaching 55 acres before being contained.
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Fire at paper business destroys thousands of pounds of rolls in Shafter
Kern County fire investigators are trying to figure out the cause of a fire at a Shafter paper business that started Friday morning. Fire crews were called to California Paper Product on 5901 Zerker Road around 12:30 A.M. When they arrived sprinklers were on. 96 rolls of paper weighing 3,000 lbs were destroyed by the fire.
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Photo courtesy of the KCFD
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KCFD shares new photos of Oildale fire that burned at least 40 cars, several structures
On Saturday afternoon, fire crews were dispatched to a grass fire near Everett Avenue and Wesley Lane. The fire spread to vehicles and some structures in the area, according to KCFD. A firefighting helicopter was used to contain the grass fire as quickly as possible. The fire burned approximately 15 acres, according to KCFD. About 40 to 50 vehicles were involved in the fire, and several outbuildings and travel trailers burned as well.
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Fire in Central Bakersfield displaces family of four
A family of four is displaced after a house fire in Central Bakersfield Saturday afternoon. Bakersfield Fire battalion chief, Michael Walkey, said, the fire started along the fence of the property and spread into the home in the attic. When Kern County Fire Department and Bakersfield Fire Department firefighters arrived all four family members, who were inside the home, were able to make it outside of the home.
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At least one business destroyed after fire erupts in Southwest Bakersfield
A local business was destroyed and at least one other was damaged after a fire broke out in Southwest Bakersfield Sunday morning. Bakersfield Fire and Kern County Fire crews responded around 1:40 a.m. Sunday to the area of Ming Avenue and Ashe Road for a commercial building on fire. When they arrived they found one business completely engulfed in flames and several others threatened. Crews were able to put the fire out with no injuries reported.
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Firefighters knock down house fire in east Bakersfield
Flames engulfed an abandoned home in east Bakersfield early Thursday morning. The Kern County Fire Department responded to a house fire on McClean Ave., near Potomac and Quantico Avenues, just before 12:30 a.m. As crews arrived on scene, the fire had already taken over the home and spread to a nearby detached garage. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire before it spread to any other neighboring properties.
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Mobile home fire in Oildale was intentionally set, firefighters say
A fire that damaged a mobile home in Oildale early Friday was intentionally set, firefighters said. The blaze erupted at a double-wide in the 300 block of McCord Avenue and was doused by firefighters called to the scene at 3:50 a.m., according to the Kern County Fire Department. No injuries were reported, and an investigation is ongoing.
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Thick black smoke rises from fire northeast of Bakersfield
A nearly 20-acre grass fire sent a large plume of black smoke into the sky and burned nearly four dozen vehicles at a storage yard northeast of Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon, the Kern County Fire Department reported. Capt. Michael Nicholas said the blaze, centered north of North Chester Avenue and Manor Street, appeared to have been started at about 3:30 p.m. by workers cutting metal in the area.
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Kern County Fire crews battle blaze in Wasco
Investigators are still looking into what caused a fire at the Wasco Labor Camp housing complex. Kern County Fire Crews were called to the scene on H Street at about 4:30 a.m. Friday morning. One of the units caught fire and crews were able to get a quick enough handle on the blaze to keep it from spreading. County fire officials say the majority of the 230 unit complex is vacant.
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Fire crews respond to vacant apartment fire on Union Ave.
Firefighters from the Bakersfield and Kern County fire departments responded to a structure fire at an abandoned apartment complex on Union Avenue Wednesday night. A single room was burned, and the flames didn't spread to other parts of the complex. Arson investigators are looking into how the fire started.
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Photo by Jack Barnwell/Daily Independent
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Arson suspect arrested in Wilson Ave fire
An educational assignment to teach elementary school students about the essential children’s bicycle safety turned into a life-saving endeavor Friday afternoon when a California Highway Patrol officer and Ridgecrest police officer saw smoke, according to a California Highway Patrol news release. The incident also led to the arrest for suspected arson of one of the two people extricated from the flames. At around 2:16 p.m, a CHP officer and RPD officer working on a bike and helmet safety project spotted a huge plume of smoke coming from the area around West Wilson Avenue.
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Kern County Fire Department responds to fire in Northwest Bakersfield near Hageman Rd. & Verdugo Ln.
The Kern County Fire Department responded to a fire in northwest Bakersfield Monday night. Fire crews were called out around 8:30 p.m. to Courtney Street which is in the area of Hageman Road and Verdugo Lane, according to PulsePoint.
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Firefighters contain Cummings Valley grass fire
Quick work by firefighters on Saturday kept a Cummings Valley grass fire contained to about five and a half acres, the Kern County Fire Department reported. The noontime fire broke out in the 24000 block of Banducci Road, where crews initially arrived to an approximately one-acre fire in "light flashy fuels," KCFD said in a news release. A total of 38 personnel — on the ground and Helicopter 408 — got the fire contained in about two and a half hours.
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Crews battling fire on Alta Vista after building goes up in flames
Bakersfield Fire crews are battling a blaze in East Bakersfield on Monday morning. According to the Kern County Fire Department's website the blaze broke out just after 6 a.m. in the area of Alta Vista Drive near Columbus Street. Crews are working to contain the blaze to the business and keep it from spreading to nearby homes.
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“Owl Incident” Fire
At approximately 2:13 p.m. first responders were dispatched from several of the local Kern County Fire Stations to subdue a vegetation fire on SRA (State Responsibility Area) land off of Caliente Bodfish Rd. near Larkspur. Dubbed the “Owl Incident”, due to its location adjacent to Owls Clover Rd., was quickly extinguished thanks to the quick response time. Acting Public Information Officer Amy Masi reported to the Sun that Battalion Chief Dionisio Mitchell was the acting Incident Commander. Resources used were one helicopter for flyover support, three prevention patrols, two supporting Battalion Chiefs, four engines, and one water tender to contain the half acre fire that burned through mostly brush fuels.
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Firefighters respond to fire along Golden State Highway
Firefighters were battling a roadside grass fire Monday evening along Golden State Highway in Bakersfield. Most of the flames were confined to the northbound side of the highway near the Airport Drive exit. Some of the flames spread to the southbound side, but were quickly extinguished by firefighters. The fire climbed several trees, engulfing them in bright flashes of flames.
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100-acre brush fire erupts near Snail Canyon in Ventura County
A 100-acre brush fire erupted near Snail Canyon in Ventura County Sunday. The fire was in dry grass and brush near Snail Canyon on Mount Pinos Road. There was a full response including air tankers and response from the Ventura County Fire Department, Kern County Fire, and the Angeles National Forest.
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Creek Fire contained
The blaze ravaged the foothills of eastern Tulare County over Labor Day weekend, consuming 756 acres of dead grass and oak trees in its wake. Engines patrolled the area Tuesday night for hot spots. "It was a pretty good night," Davis said. "There are no longer any major threats. We have lines surrounding the site." Engines will remain in the area for the next few days to ensure containment, Davis said. More than 320 local and state firefighters were called to battle the flames. Tulare, Los Angeles, and Kern county fire departments and Woodlake Fire District helped contain the massive brush fire.
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Three killed in crash on Highway 99 near Kimberlina Road
The California Highway Patrol is investigating a solo vehicle crash that killed two adults and a child. According to CHP, around 1:25 a.m. a Saturn sedan was traveling southbound on Highway 99 when it took an off-ramp on to Kimberlina Road. For unknown reasons, the car lost control, struck a tree and caught on fire. The Kern County Fire Department responded to put out the car fire.
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Photo by Jack Barnwell/Daily Independent
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Child suffers minor injuries in collision
A male grade-school aged child was transported to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital for minor injuries on Friday morning following a vehicle-bicycle collision on West Las Flores Avenue at the North Helena Street intersection at 7:48 a.m. According to the Ridgecrest Police Department, the child was riding the bicycle when the vehicle accidentally collided with the child. Ridgecrest police officers and Kern County Fire Department responded to the scene, along with staff from Sierra Sands Unified School District.
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Go bags and digital data: How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation
Wildfire evacuations are a scary and increasingly frequent necessity that require families to leave their homes at a moment's notice. That's why having an emergency go-bag can be a literal lifesaver. Bakersfield resident Jessica Mathews started preparing one year ago when she sent her daughter off to preschool and packed the required school emergency kit.
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Letter to the Editor: Losing firefighters means loss in experience
I am writing in response to a recent letter regarding the Kern County Fire Department’s compensation ("Letter to the Editor: Fire personnel compensation," Aug. 11). First of all, they sited total compensation from Transparent California which includes the cost of benefits and grossly overstates the actual take home earnings of the ranks listed. Overtime varies for each individual/rank and this information is available at Transparent California. Fire stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and our firefighters work an average of 2,912 hours a year of “regular” time vs. the average individual who works a 40 hour work week or 2,080 hours of “regular” hours a year. Firefighters work a minimum 832 hours more than other professions to receive their base pay. Overtime is required for large incidents or because the county has not hired enough staff for all positions needed.
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Letter to the Editor: Support the firefighters union
Responding to the letter regarding the compensation for Kern County firefighters (“Letter to the Editor: Fire personnel compensation,” Aug. 11), it must be noted that the source that was used to find the compensation amounts, Transparent California, breaks out the comp in base pay, overtime, other comp, benefits and totals. The top Kern County fire personnel quoted amount the top 31, which are admin and executive management personnel. With a few exceptions, these are not the firefighting feet on the street protecting your property and lives. It’s a bit misleading for the writer to not explain that the compensation quoted includes benefits. Benefits can include health and medical insurance and not the money they put in their bank account. When comparing 2015 comp with 2018 comp not including benefits, the majority of field firefighting personnel rank down the ladder around No. 900, not anywhere close to the top 31 as stated by the writer.
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Kern Board of Supervisors end four-year fiscal emergency by passing year's budget
The Kern County Board of Supervisors have declared an end to the fiscal emergency that has been plaguing the county for the last four years. In a unanimous vote, supervisors passed the $2.9 billion Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget, bringing to a close a period of austerity for county officials in which departments were forced to trim around 12 percent of their expenses. The fiscal emergency began in 2015 after the price of oil dropped precipitously. As a result, property tax revenue sharply declined, leaving the county with a $44.5 million structural deficit. For four years, the county chipped away at the deficit by allowing vacant positions to go unfilled and by backfilling the general fund with reserve money.
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At 9/11 Memorial, New Recognition for a Longer-Term Toll
When the names of nearly 3,000 Sept. 11 victims were read aloud Wednesday at the World Trade Center, a half-dozen stacks of stone quietly saluted an untold number of people who aren't on the list. The granite slabs were installed on the memorial plaza this spring. They recognize an initially unseen toll of the 2001 terrorist attacks: firefighters, police and others who died or fell ill after exposure to toxins unleashed in the wreckage. The unusual addition reflects a memorial that is evolving as the aftermath of 9/11 does.
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9/11 firefighters at risk for serious cardiovascular issues, new study finds
New York City firefighters who rushed to the remnants of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attacks are dying from health issues — and that may include serious cardiovascular diseases, according to a study published Friday. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Network Open and conducted by doctors at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, "suggest a significant association" between greater exposure at the World Trade Center and a higher risk of long-term cardiovascular disease. The study points out that the cardiovascular care is not currently covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, meaning 9/11 firefighters receive no compensation for cardiovascular diseases from the fund.
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Marley’s Mutts, Kern County Fire Department host adoption event
Local firefighters helped rescue dogs find new homes Saturday. Marley’s Mutts and the Kern County Fire Department teamed up to match dogs with new owners Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. They’re calling it Mutts and Fire Trucks. It took place at The Station at 7900 Downing St., Suite D. Guests brought their children along to meet their potential new furry friend and meet some firefighters and take a look at a fire truck.
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9/11 Memorial Ride
It was an honor to take part in the 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. On this Patriots Day we took time to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
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Luncheon brings together retired firefighters
A monthly luncheon for retired Kern County firefighters was held this week. The group met at Woolgrowers on Tuesday to talk about old times and share new memories as well. They also honored Bobby Hawking for his hard work toward a special cause. Every spring we put on a barbecue for the firefighters and their families are currently working and Bobby has organized that for 25 years and so he’s retiring from that and we’re going to be honoring him today in that regard,” said David McCarthy. The event is also a chance to remind newly retired firefighters to come and join them!
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Kern County
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