The Kern County Fire Department and the Bakersfield Fire Department have wasted no time in sending more than 160 firefighters and dozens of vehicles to assist in the battle against multiple conflagrations that have erupted across Southern California.
Each department said in separate news releases Wednesday that it is their duty and desire to assist neighboring cities and counties to the south where hundreds of thousands of residents have been beset by powerful winds and dry conditions fueling extreme fire behavior.
“Unable to stand by while our neighboring cities and counties endure this onslaught, the KCFD has mobilized our firefighters to answer the call of duty and provide reinforcements in the fight,” county fire said in its release.
“Eager to assist our friends in need, just as they do for us, we have assembled a comprehensive, immediate-need care package,” the county release said.
The city department was also ready to send immediate help.
“This deployment is part of the mutual aid system, a cornerstone of California’s emergency response framework, ensuring resources are shared to protect lives and property during significant incidents,” the BFD said it its release.
According to the city’s fire department, families of the firefighters involved have expressed their heartfelt support, standing behind their loved ones as they take on this vital mission.
“Our families are proud of the work we do, even though they will miss us while we are away,” said Bakersfield Fire Capt. Codi Adams.
According to the KCFD, the list of resources it is sending included the following:
– Two “Alpha” Strike Teams, comprising 10 metro fire engines and 44 firefighters.
– One “Charlie” Strike Team, consisting of five off-road capable fire engines and 17 firefighters.
– Two “Lima” Strike Teams, with four fire dozers, four dozer tenders, and nine firefighters.
– Three wildland hand crews totaling more than 60 firefighters.
In addition, county fire is sending several more fire engines, and firefighters with specialized skills and experience to fill positions within the incident management teams responding to these fires.
According to the BFD, two fire engines were sent Wednesday morning and two more were expected to leave Wednesday afternoon to assist ongoing efforts to control the Eaton and Palisades fires in Southern California.
“The Bakersfield Fire Department remains fully staffed and ready to respond to local emergencies, ensuring the safety and protection of the Bakersfield community,” the department said.
KCFD noted that off-duty firefighters are “answering the call to return to duty, staffing our fire stations and ensuring that Kern County remains safe.”
Meanwhile, BFD asked the community to “keep our firefighters, their families, and everyone impacted by the Southern California fires in their thoughts.”