So how much money should they be paid? How much do they receive now, without overtime? How much is your life worth to walk into a burning buiding, or what is a fireman worth when he shows up to save your life or belongings?

We have some of the lowest paid county employees, statewide. Why does somebody always complain when another person makes a decent living? It seems we try to drag wages and benefits to the lowest level we can, while we should be working to raise the wages and benefits of all.

Would you rather collect taxes from the well paid or should we all make Walmart wages and use the social services of the state, which in turn cost us all.

Hey Gube, Bigdog and myself also worked for Westar Ambulance do you remember us? LMAO 

The Firestation in Tehachapi ran over 1,988 emergency calls last year. They also ran 100's of non-emergency calls. Like people locked out of their cars and homes, as well as many things like "help-up" calls. That's more then 6 calls a day. Some calls last one hour, some last many days. They inspect over 1000 businesses in Tehachapi as well as do school programs. We eat out at restaurants because the call volume has gone up so much we don't have time to cook meals ourselves. We pay for our own meals out of our own pocket. The Station on Curry is the 10th most busiest station in Kern County.

Out of 10 Fire Departments in the State that are same size and type as Kern County, KCFD is #9 in pay!

We may not have many House fires up here,( 296 last year) but we do run many many rescues. A rescue is where someone is trapped in their car after a car accident or hurt and trapped in a windmill, or like the rescue in the canyon last Sunday, Yes Gube I was on that rescue.

So Gube, what about the Kern County Firefighters working in metro Bakes. that run non-stop? Do they deserve to be paid less than the guys they are running with? Well they do already, but you know what I'm getting at.

So I'm curious why you aren't a firefighter Gube if you'd love to have their cushy job so much? I'm also curious why you have no qualms about our past presidents having affairs but you're just oh, so disappointed in the firemen that do. How about a little consistency, huh? Seriously, that was a low blow, and it's not going to get people to agree with you. I however do agree with one thing you said...If a mailman ran into a burning building and rescued a child that would make him a Hero............But a fireman walking into a burning building with all his equipment on to rescue a child is only doing his job. I agree, they know the risk when they take on the job, but their willingness to take those risks is what makes them so valuable.  I remember talking to a cop and he told me that he wanted to be a fireman and knew he'd be really good at it, but he had one problem........he was afraid of fire. I'm sure there are firemen who wouldn't like being shot at( these guys don't work for LA City lol), but fire doesn't bug them a bit. Everyone has their comfort zone and despite what you think many,many, people would prefer not to do theses jobs.

So if I understand this correctly-to you,a person is a hero/noble not because of what they do,but based on what they are or are not paid at the time of the incident?Do you have an issue with BFD staff eating at restaurants in their city?Where is it that you expect our local guys to eat?Overpaid by what standards?I think that anyone who is willing to go into a burning building to save someone could be called a hero.Doing it without training might be unwise,but still a hero.Training and equipment makes it more likely that both will emerge in better condition and if it were my child I'd prefer that,but to me-it's about the act and the choice to act that makes a hero,not the paycheck.Do you feel that people in the military can/have been heros?Or are they not qualified for that in your eyes due to their paycheck and training?Do all unpaid and unqualified people strike you as noble?

Get out while you can Gube...these women are out for blood...these women are 'flamin' (quick someone call the fire department!!)...

there's nothing noble about acting like %itchy....cats...

lol......

Hey Shane was that 296 house fires or rescues last year?

I've lived here in Tehachapi for 25 years now and there have been two fires within a 1/2 mile of my home, both during the heat of the summer.  I have seen the Tehachapi Firefighters trek up and down the mountain behind my house working at saving the homes in our area.  They have parked their rigs in the cul-de-sac I live on and were determined not to allow the fires to reach our homes.  They stayed overnight up on the mountain being sure hot spots didn't flare up again.  They work within the community at many different chores, showing the proper maintenance for fire prevention, teaching children fire safety, working accidents, and the list goes on. 

I do not begrudge them their salaries.  If by their positions being so sought after it means we get the cream of the crop, I'm not going to complain. 

Well 'BD' that was house fires, That could be anything from a house totally involved in fire, a chimney fire, to a kitchen fire. We run many more rescues. The busiest station in Kern County would be Bakersfield Fire Station 6 on Union. They only run on average 4 calls a day more then the Tehachapi station. Plus in Bakersfield they have more help close by. I hate the TN blog, I cant believe I let you drag me back in. The TN needs to change the name from "The Blog Zone" to the "Fight Zone".  I cant believe anyone would think I am you. Tell "O" I said hello. To tell you the truth a house fire is the lest dangerous part of our job. The many wildland fires and the rescues put us at more risk.

I never said that WHEN they work they don't work hard...

You're correct, fire departments respond to more medical calls than fires.  It's a national trend.  That's why every firefighter in Kern County (and many other regions) are Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics as well as college educated and certified  Fire Technologists (often with an Associate Degree, at least).  Fire fighting is not all fun and games.  Those guys washing the truck are not spending time being fathers and husbands.  (I'm being gender specific because we have no women firefighters at our station, that I know of)  A firefighter with a family has a spouse who must shoulder the entire parenting load for three full days and nights, every week.  How much is that worth?  When a Task Force is assembled and moves to a big fire, the firefighter gets to miss school assemblies, birthday parties, and anniversary dinners.  Firefighters I have known do love their work; it's like a calling.  But it's also a very stressful job.  Firefighter divorce rates are right behind Law Enforcement's, and both are more than the national average.  I don't think our local firefighters are overpaid or underworked.  When a loved one is injured and hurting, I think those guys are worth a million bucks.

TK- The KCFD has 3 female firefighters, One is my boss, she is the Battalion Chief over Air Operations, One is a Captain working at KCFD's busiest station,( Station 64 in Oildale)  the other is an engineer working in Bakersfield, she did work at the Tehachapi station about two years ago. TK thanks for the post, but we just need to let gube be. I see his better 1/2 is back online, maybe she can put a stop to his insanity.

I think he just likes to push people's buttons.

Gubenation--"what male would not want a fire job" and the word fireman insult me  It's firefighter!  I was a firefighter/paramedic for many years, starting as the FIRST fulltime female in 1978 (yes! 1978 heck I'm old) for California Dept of Forestry.  I worked until I was 12 weeks prenant with twins then retired.  So it's NOT just for men!

ha ha me push buttons........