Education & Safety
Shortcuts to helpful pages and information.
Using 911
Do you know how to properly use 911?
The 911 Guide
Click the image to download the PDF
To best respond to an emergency situation, call takers, dispatchers, and first responders need your help. Familiarize yourself and those living or visiting your home with the following tips to ensure that the 9-1-1 call taker will be able to process your emergency call efficiently and send assistance as quickly as possible.
• When calling 9-1-1, one of the first things you’ll be asked to provide is the location of the emergency you’re reporting.
• The call taker may not automatically know your location or may ask you to confirm it.
• Make sure you provide as much detail on your location as possible, such as landmarks, cross streets and mileposts.
• The current 9-1-1 system is designed for voice communications only.
• Texting 9-1-1 is not an option in most locales; you must dial 9-1-1 and speak with a call taker.
• Pull over when driving, if possible. This reduces the chance of a dropped call.
• Lock your keypad when you’re not using your phone, so 9-1-1 isn’t dialed by mistake. For the same reason, don’t put 9-1-1 on speed dial.
• Do not give old phones to children as toys. A wireless phone with no active service can still call 9-1-1.
• If you accidentally call 9-1-1, stay on the line and tell the call taker that you do not have an emergency.
• Calling 9-1-1 from a cell phone is always free and it is never necessary to dial an area code.
• Call 9-1-1 for emergencies only. It is appropriate to call 9-1-1 when you need to save a life, stop a crime or report a fire.
• 9-1-1 is the right number to call in an emergency when a prompt response is needed.
• If you are not sure you have an emergency to report, call 9-1-1 and let the call taker decide.
• Before you need help in an emergency, be sure to understand how the type of phone you use affects your call to 9-1-1. It is important to know the capabilities of the device you are using (landline, cellular, VoIP).
• Cell phones may not automatically tell 9-1-1 where you are so be prepared to provide detailed information about your location
• Try to stay calm, give information and follow all instructions.
• Professional call-takers are trained to get information from you. Listen carefully and answer as concisely as possible.
• Remember that even if the dispatcher is still asking questions or giving instructions, help is on the way
• The more you know what to expect when you call 9-1-1, the faster 9-1-1 can get you the help you need.
• You can save a life! Follow all instructions the 9-1-1 call taker gives you, and don’t hang up until the call taker does. If you get cut off, call back and explain that you were cut off.
Kids Fire Safety
Safety can be fun for kids too!
Fire Safety and Prevention
Plan Your Home Fire Escape
Lets Have Fun With Fire Safety
Smokey Bear says play it safe!
Welcome Kids! Explore the different sections below to learn all sorts of ways you can help prevent wildfires. You’ll find activities, games, and learn a lot about protecting the forest. Have fun!
Ride Along Program
The purpose of the Kern County Fire Department Ride-Along Program is to foster community involvement, understanding, and education by providing an opportunity for the public and county employees to gain first-hand experience of the duties and responsibilities of Fire Department personnel.
- All persons wishing to participate in the Ride-Along Program must be at least 18 years of age and be subject to a background review.
- A completed Application for Ride-Along shall be submitted at least two (2) weeks in advance of the preferred ride-along date. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval. Applicants shall be notified in writing if the request is denied.
- Approval is determined by any of the following criteria:
- Required mandatory continuing education for public service providers
- Kern County EMS required educational development of emergency services students
- Approved by the Fire Chief
- Prior to the approval and scheduling of the Ride-Along, you will be required to sign the Ride-Along Program Rules, Hold Harmless, and Confidentiality Agreements. Participants must have a valid photo ID or current driver’s license with them when reporting for their scheduled ride-along.
- Applicants who are currently in the Kern County Fire Department application or pre-employment screening process are NOT eligible.
- Date, time, and station preferences shall be accommodated when possible.
- Participants shall be limited to one ride-along per year unless otherwise specified by Kern County EMS requirements.
Complete the on-line Application for Ride-Along and review the additional forms that require a signature prior to participation. After the application has been submitted, our Investigation Bureau will conduct a background check and interview. At that time you will be asked to sign the Ride-Along Program Rules, Hold Harmless, and Confidentiality Agreements. The Ride –Along shall be scheduled no less than two weeks after all of the forms are signed.
Ride–along tours will generally be limited to a two (2) hour minimum, up to a maximum of 12 hours, subject to the discretion of a chief officer or his designee. The hours shall be between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Firefighter duties are inherently dangerous and emergency scenes can be chaotic. Department personnel shall emphasize efforts to ensure the safety of program participants at all times and such efforts require the participants to follow the orders and directions of the Fire Department Officer in Charge (OIC) exactly, and without question. Upon any concern for the safety of the participant, the OIC shall determine the best course of action which may require the participant be dropped off at a safe location and the Ride-Along be terminated. In such an occurrence, the participant shall be provided clear instructions of the arrangements for them to be picked up and transported to the appropriate location.
Meal arrangements will be the participant’s responsibility. You should bring enough money for food/drinks, snacks, etc.
Due to questions of “Right to Privacy”, no cameras or tape recorders are allowed during emergency activities. Exceptions may be made for non-emergency working environments but only with specific approval and direction from the OIC.
A criminal record may be cause to have your application denied.
WebEOC
What is WebEOC?
WebEOC is an Internet-based collaborative communications system that provides for information and resource tracking, data backup, situation analysis, and dissemination of information during EOC and/or Department Operations Center (DOC) activations and exercises.
WebEOC includes a standard suite of status boards that are the electronic equivalent of large, chronological, paper-based boards typically found in EOCs and DOCs. WebEOC status boards are electronic displays that provide the ability to post, transmit, and share real-time information among WebEOC users.
DATES: See Below
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Kern County EOC, 2601 Panorama Drive, Building B, Bakersfield
(Press “5” at the front gate keypad for entry)
INTENDED AUDIENCE: This training is targeted towards personnel likely to be assigned to an EOC or DOC during activations and exercises in Kern County.
WebEOC Basic Training
Kern County OES is pleased to offer WebEOC Basic Training.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: During each two-hour training session, students will login to WebEOC. Using the WebEOC control panel, students will practice standard functions such as posting or updating Activity Log entries, making or updating Mission/Task requests and sending messages to other students. The same material will be covered during each session.
