BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County Fire Department reported a significant shift in how emergency incidents were managed during the 4th of July holiday, with an increase in online reports of illegal fireworks contributing to a decrease in emergency calls.
The department noted that the holiday, which traditionally sees the highest call volume of the year, was marked by high temperatures and a surge in emergency activity. To address this, the Kern County Fire Department increased staffing for both firefighters and dispatchers.
This year, the number of online reports for illegal fireworks rose, while calls to the Emergency Communication Center (ECC) decreased. This change allowed dispatchers to direct crews to emergencies more efficiently, as they were handling fewer non-emergency calls related to fireworks…