Bakersfield Fire Department
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| Bakersfield Fire Department |
|
| Established | 1877 |
| Staffing | Career |
| Strength | uniformed non-sworn |
| Stations | 13 |
| Engines | 13 |
| Trucks | 3 |
| Squads | 4 |
| EMS Level | BLS |
| Fire chief | Ron Fraze |
| Commissioner | Mike L. George Stuart Gentry Ronald Eaves |
The Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) is a fire protection agency that serves the City of Bakersfield, California. The department currently serves a population of approximately 400,000, making the city of Bakersfield one of the largest in California.
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[edit] History
The Bakersfield Fire Department has its origins in the year 1868. In this period, Colonel Thomas Baker (founder of the City of Bakersfield) kept wooden buckets full of water to fight any fires that threatened the area of Bakersfield. In 1872-1873, after numerous fires that had very costly outcomes, the citizens of Bakersfield felt that a permanent fire protection agency was needed. In 1874, the Bakersfield Fire Company was organized with a small number of firemen, who would often sponsor events in the area to raise money for needed fire equipment and apparatus. On May 13, 1877, the Bakersfield Fire Department was incorporated. This is the same agency that currently serves the City of Bakersfield today. In the year 1890, Bakersfield acquired its first horse-drawn steamer (an 1890 Clapp and Jones). This hook-and-ladder truck was fitted so that the firemen were able to ride on the truck, saving response time to incidents in the city. In 1904, a fire at the corner of 20th Street and K street destroyed Fire Station No. 1, the only fire station in the city at the time. The fire completely destroyed the fire house and a newly acquired steam pumper. In 1910, Kern City merged with Bakersfield, giving the City of Bakersfield an additional fire house, Fire Station No. 2. In 1913, Bakersfield constructed 2 additional fire houses, Stations No. 3 and 4. The cost of construction per fire house was estimated at $8,000.00. In 1914, the Bakersfield Fire Department was named one of the first fire agencies to be completely motorized. In 1939, the Central Fire Station was constructed at 2101 H Street, at a cost of $94,000.00. This is station is still in operation to this day, at its same location. In 1956, the Bakersfield Fire Department was named the highest rated Class 1 fire department in the United States. Today, the Bakersfield Fire Department has 13 operational fire stations throughout the city, with at least 2 fire stations planned for construction in the near future.
[edit] Fire stations
- No. 1: 2101 H Street (Battalion 1 HQ)
- No. 2: 716 E 21st Street
- No. 3: 3400 Palm Avenue
- No. 4: 130 Bernard Street
- No. 5: 700 W Planz Road
- No. 6: 127 Brundage Lane (Battalion 2 HQ)
- No. 7: 4030 Soranno Drive
- No. 8: 2213 University Avenue
- No. 9: 7912 Westwold Drive
- No. 10: 12100 Alfred Harrell Highway
- No. 11: 7000 Stockdale Highway
- No. 13: 4900 Poppyseed Street
- No. 15: Deer Peak Drive at Buena Vista Road
Note: Currently, there is no Station No. 12 or No. 14 in the fire department. These stations do not currently exist, however, they are planned for construction in the near future.
[edit] Battalions
Battalion No. 1 has its headquarters at Station No. 1 and serves as the Battalion Chief for stations No. 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13. Battalion 2 has its headquarters at Station No. 6 and serves as the Battalion Chief for stations No. 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15.
[edit] Apparatus
Each fire station location is equipped with 1 fire engine. The following stations are equipped with additional equipment:
No. 1: (1) Squad, (1) Truck, (1) Light/Air Van, (1) Battalion, No. 5: (1) Squad, No. 6: (1) Battalion, No. 7: (1) Truck, No. 8: (1) Squad, No. 11: (1) Hazardous Materials van, No. 13: (1) Squad, No. 15: (1) Truck, (1) Hazardous Materials van
Note: Please be aware that each fire station location's apparatus inventory may vary slightly. The above list gives you a basic idea of what each station is equipped with.
