BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 A new report reveals serious gaps in Kern County’s disaster preparedness, with the grand jury demanding immediate action to address critical safety deficiencies.<\/p>\n
The grand jury found the county’s Office of Emergency Services has been without a permanent manager for months, leaving a crucial leadership void during a time when emergency preparedness is essential.<\/p>\n
The report shows not all cities have current disaster plans. Less than 10% of residents have emergency go bags ready, highlighting widespread lack of preparation among the community.<\/p>\n
With nearly 150,000 residents over age 60, the county struggles to coordinate evacuation assistance for elderly and disabled residents. This represents a significant vulnerability in emergency response capabilities.<\/p>\n
The grand jury is demanding immediate action to fix these critical safety gaps.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
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