Efforts to stabilize the Kern County Fire Department budget could result in some stations being closed, either on a permanent basis or temporarily. Department leaders say routine upkeep has been put off for so long, equipment and machinery is nearing the breaking point.
In an attempt to save around $3.4 million, Kern County supervisors recently imposed a contract on the fire union that cut overtime that had been over and above standards imposed by the federal government.
Supervisor Leticia Perez described the overtime cuts as heartbreaking, but necessary.
In the wake of the coronavirus and the falling value of oil properties, the county is facing its own economic problems, and faces the possibility of furloughing or laying off staffers throughout various departments. Cutting overtime could help offset further financial problems elsewhere in the budget.