BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors is slated to approve an agreement with California City that would transform the Cal City Fire Department into a Kern County Fire station, according to the meeting agenda for Tuesday.
If approved, the Kern County Fire Department would provide fire prevention, plans review and emergency response services for Cal City from Jan. 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, according to the agenda.
A captain, engineer and firefighter-paramedic would provide Advanced Life Support services to the Cal City community.
‘The numbers don’t lie’: Cal City Council approves fire department becoming Kern County Fire station
The Cal City Fire Department had already been operating with three-person staffing before its proposed agreement with Kern County and the level of fire services won’t see dramatic changes, according to Cal City Mayor Marquette Hawkins.
The cost of services for the county’s fire services is $4,561,904.
However, Cal City agreed to sell its current station, facilities, land and firefighting equipment to Kern County for $3,981,350, according to the agenda. This will be credited to the city during their agreed term so the city can save portions of the cost.
The city would be required to pay the county $44,566 in fiscal year 2025-2026, $250,308 in 2026-2027 and $285,680 in 2027-2028 for fire protection services, for a total of $580,554.
Cal City firefighters would also transfer to the county as part of this agreement. The county has to add 11 positions – three fire captains, three fire engineers and five firefighters, according to the agenda.
The Board is also set to consider approving an amendment with the Kern County Firefighters Union to make the transfer of Cal City employees possible.
The proposed amendment includes the following, according to county officials:
Placing former Cal City employees in equivalent classifications and step within the Kern County position and salary schedule
Providing for probationary period complying with county ordinance
Using the city hire date as the county seniority date for all internal KCFD policies and procedures, layoff rules, promotions and accrual rates for vacation and sick leave
Waiving the 30-day wait period to enroll in health benefits – former Cal City employees can enroll in benefits as soon as they terminate their city benefits
Exempting former city employees from enrolling in the Retiree Health Premium Supplement Program
Allowing former city employees to roll over up to 144 hours of vacation and sick leave
Requiring all former city employees eligible for membership in the county retirement plan, administered by the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association, to pay employee contributions
This amendment only applies to Cal City employees transferred as part of the fire services agreement, the agenda said.
17 News has reached out to the Kern County Fire Department for more details.
County staff is recommending the Board to approve the agreements with Cal City and the Kern County Firefighters Union during its meetings at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 16, respectively.
The meetings are set to take place in the Board Chambers in the Kern County Administrative Center at 1115 Truxtun Ave.
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