LEBEC, Calif., On October 8, 2023 at approximately 11:46 a.m. Kern County firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle accident involving 2 motorcycles and a pickup truck in the area of Fort Tejon on southbound Interstate 5.
Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered patients with life-threatening injuries. The need to transport one of the patients to a trauma care facility was urgent and at that moment there were no medevac helicopters available. The solution? Contacting Kern County EMS for permission to start Kern County Fire’s H407 to the scene for patient transport.

Kern County Fire Department helicopters are frequently used for fire attack operations, hoist rescue capabilities and for many other things. However, on this day, another use of this unique public safety weapon was needed: Rapidly flying a KCFD flight medic to the emergency scene and then speedily transporting the injured motorcyclist to hospital care.

H407 arrived and the crew loaded the patient on a stretcher. They then boarded the helicopter and launched for Kern Medical Center. Soon after, they dropped down and landed on the helipad atop the hospital. The patient’s best interests were served thanks to the capabilities and specialty service of Kern County firefighters.