outsider- I personally don't want the City Fire Department to go away. I have thought all along they should go back to the way it was when it was working and before they got grandiose ideas. They had 2 full time firefighters that worked a 40 hr. week. They were responsible for the programs such as Hydrants, business inspections, training of reserves, public education and maintenance of equipment. This program worked well and their was good cooperation with the county. Then they decided to try and take over the county's contract with the city (although there was no additional cost to the city). There was problems with nepotism and lack of experience when they made all of their firefighters Captains.

I still want them to go back to the way that worked, but that wasn't even discussed in the study. The study says that it isn't feasible and that the county needs to have a 4th man so that they can fight interior fires. The county has been fighting interior fires just fine with 3 firefighters as Chief Thompson explained at the City Council meeting. The City and residents don't care if there are 4 firefighters, just that there is someone to answer the call when the County is out of the city limits on a call. This has always been the basis of the contract between the City and  the County that the City Fire dept (weather it was the reserves or volunteers or the paid firefighters) would cover the city. This worked well and  could be re-instituted with minimum paid Firefighters and Paid Call Firefighters or reserves.

I would agree that there are some on here that don't  want anything to do with the City Fire Department, but  I believe that was caused by the hard feelings when the City pulled out of the County Station and promoted inexperienced to the position of Company Officer.

Yes, the end of the fiscal year is in July. The contract with KCFD will expire then. A contract should be hammered out before this happens.

I just wanted to know what you thought about the original question. You know, the one that is actually important. Instead you are on here griping about a volunteer reserve program. Why?

I make no apologies. It is obvious you are new to these blogs and know nothing about me.  If you think I do and believe everything I am told you're sorely mistaken.  I like to think for myself and I pride myself in thinking before I speak. You should try it.

Countygirl (Countrygirl) is right- Nothing is going to change until a contract is hammered out between the City and County. It is in the hands of Mayor Grimes and Council member Vernon. I think the more people express their wants to them, the more they will have to work with. Maybe if more people would have known about the City plans in the first place, we wouldn't be where we are today.

As far as reserves go, they don't have to start out being emt's or have an academy under their belts, but they will work towards that just the same as Tehachapi reserves did. Reserves can be very beneficial in support roles as well as on fires.

Theoutsider - It is my understanding that all of this will be resolved BEFORE the contract with KCFD is signed.  It's not like TFD is gone. They are still manning their engine(  paying captain's overtime everyday) and I imagine they will continue to do so until the the contract with the county is signed,sealed, and delivered. Do you mind me asking why you even care about a reserve program? Do you really know what a reserve program is for?

I believe "the grouch" asked us to stay on topic. Have you answered his original question?  I'm curious what your answer is.

Support for what? With no EMT or academy what good are they?

sushisoo- The supervisors did support opening the Stallion Springs Station with 3 personnel on a year round basis. They also agreed to 3 more firefighters for our Bear Valley Station as well as increased staffing at 3 other stations. They also agreed to let us start building a 2nd helicopter. Of course most of all of this money is being supplied by CalFire as part of increased manning statewide. In the next budget, the chief is asking for 57 new positions. This would increase the rest of the 2 man stations to 3. He is also asking for 5 new engines, 1 ladder truck 10 patrols, and one large Urban Search and Rescue truck. These alone would probably cost in excess of  4 million dollars. I believe Kern County Fire Department  is a very progressive department. We'll have to wait until August to see what the supervisors agree too.  We have been able to purchase about this much equipment each year for the last couple of years.

In the next couple of weeks, Tehachapi will receive a new patrol ($100,0000) and June we will receive a new Engine ($400,000). Also Stallion Springs will receive a new engine any day. Bear Valley and Keene Received new 4 wheel drive engines last year. All the engines in the Tehachapi area will be less that one year old soon.

We can only hope the supervisors will continue to support the Fire Department.

I think everyone got a little sidetracked from what I asked on this blog(including myself). I was hoping to get some ideas of what you think the city should ask the county in their negotiations.

My thoughts:

1. The county would absorb their three captains and bring them over as Firefighters.

2. The county would take their lead engine and patrol, radios, rescue gear, and any other equipment that has value to the county and give the city a $ credit for them as they have proposed to do with Cal City and others.

3. Man their engine out of Sta 12 with an Engineer and  a Firefighter 

I believe Ron Coleman knows his stuff but I believe he is trying to apply suburban firefighting guidelines to a rural city. He states that the guidelines suggest each station should cover 9 sq. miles. This just doesn't work in a  rural setting. His suggestion is for the county to add a fourth man to Sta 12 so that they are able to enter burning structures under the 2 in and 2 out rule. I believe this doesn't do for the city what the city had in mind. they have always stated they want coverage when the county was involved in calls in the county area. This has always been the operating plan with the City Fire Dept. The county could offer to staff the second engine and plan to keep it in the city at all times. They have this agreement with the City of Delano.

These are my thoughts, what are yours?

Wasn't it agreed at the City Council meeting  Monday that the City would post the Fire Study on their Web site? Could the paper see if it could obtain the study and place it here? I think it would be helpful for everyone so that they would be able to see how Chief Coleman came to some of his conclusions.

I heard that the City Fire Chief won't take any more Reserves because they were through in June.