Calif. FD places ALS squad in high call volume area

The Bakersfield Californian

KERN COUNTY, Calif. — The new Medic Squad 42 apparatus was put into service Wednesday, replacing a temporary vehicle to serve an area of east Bakersfield that gets more than 5,000 emergency calls annually, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

Medic Squad 42, which began operating Jan. 12, is the third KCFD unit of its kind. It is assigned to Station 42.

It is staffed by a firefighter paramedic and a fire captain to provide 24-hour Advanced Life Support coverage, “enhancing the department’s ability to deliver critical pre-hospital care while ensuring surrounding stations remain available for additional emergencies,” KCFD said in a news release.

Measure K funds have allowed the department to increase ALS staffing with 13 additional paramedics in unincorporated areas of the county.

© 2025 The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Visit www.bakersfield.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending

Legislation and Funding

Ohio voters to decide EMS levy increase to fund 3 new paramedics

North Royalton’s proposed five-year, 2-mill levy would generate about $2.27 million annually, letting the city hire three additional firefighter-paramedics to address rising EMS call volume and an aging population

October 24, 2026 08:00 AM

EMS1 Grants

Mich. fire departments win $698,000 grant for cardiac monitors

North Oakland County Fire Authority, Oxford, Holly and Groveland Township will use the regional grant to replace 15 aging cardiac monitors

October 24, 2026 12:00 PM

EMS Management

Calif. county to bid out ambulance contract for first time in 80 years

San Luis Ambulance, the county’s exclusive provider since 1945, will compete against a Paso Robles-led public-private partnership proposal as county supervisors prepare a Request for Proposal update

October 25, 2026 08:00 AM

Behavioral Health

Minneapolis mental health crisis response program in limbo amid vendor fight

A new audit found the city lacks basic oversight of its behavioral crisis response program, which has cost more than $25 million since 2021, as a council vote to keep current vendor Canopy Roots instead of a new contractor faces a mayoral veto

October 25, 2026 12:00 PM