WASCO, Calif. | Today, the Kern County Fire Department will place a new Water Tender into service at Station 31, located in the City of Wasco. This apparatus serves as a portable water source, holding 2,100 gallons of water and is equipped with a pump capable of moving up to 1,250 gallons per minute. It also has multiple hose lines for firefighting, if necessary.
Additional tools include fittings that allow personnel to connect to a static water supply, such as a water tank, as well as rigid hose capable of drafting water from an open source for refill. In the rural and outlying areas of our county, we often face limited water supplies. Areas surrounded by orchards, semi-truck fires on roadways, and wildfires far from any municipal water source present ongoing challenges. Water Tenders are one of the ways our department ensures firefighting efforts continue, even in areas where water is scarce.
Fire apparatus are designed and built with purpose, outfitted to meet the specific needs of the public, our firefighters, and the challenges of our geographical areas. We have an amazing team of mechanics at the Kern County Fire Department’s Fleet Services who ensure these vehicles, from start to finish, are operational and ready at all times. We are proud to serve this great county alongside them.
