Kern County Fire Department

The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) has a long-standing and evolving history of leveraging aviation assets to protect its vast and diverse county from wildfires and other emergencies. While a precise founding date for its dedicated Air Operations Division isn't immediately available, the department has been utilizing helicopters for decades, with a consistent focus on enhancing its aerial firefighting and rescue capabilities.

Early in its aviation history, KCFD integrated surplus military aircraft into its fleet. A notable example is Helicopter H408, a Bell UH-1H Huey that began its storied career in September 1968 during the Vietnam War as an Army medevac helicopter. After serving stateside, 408 was acquired by KCFD in 1999 and, following extensive refurbishment, became an indispensable tool for active firefighting operations in July 2000. This aircraft served the department for over two decades, becoming an iconic symbol of KCFD's aerial efforts.

The KCFD Air Operations team is composed of full-time pilots, captains, firefighters, seasonal firefighters, and civilian mechanics, ensuring 365-day coverage. Their helicopters are crucial for an "All Hazard response," including wildland fire suppression, hoist rescue incidents, medical aid transport, and assisting the Kern County Sheriff's Office with search and rescue missions. They also provide personnel and equipment transport to remote locations, aerial mapping, and reconnaissance during large-scale incidents. The division operates on a "one aircraft with surge capacity to two aircraft" program, meaning one helicopter is staffed daily, with personnel available to staff a second if needed.

In recent years, KCFD has actively pursued modernization of its aging helicopter fleet. In December 2024, the department officially retired the veteran 408, replacing it with the brand-new Helicopter H409, a modern Bell 412EPX. This new aircraft brought enhanced capabilities, including improved safety systems, higher payload capacity, and increased speed, directly addressing the growing demands on the department. The older Helicopter H407, another Bell Huey, also remained operational alongside the new 409, although it too was slated for eventual replacement.

In May 2025, KCFD announced the acquisition of two Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters from United Rotorcraft. These former Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, once converted to the specialized Firehawk configuration, are expected to drastically improve the department's aerial firefighting power by increasing water drop capacity from 250 gallons to 1,000 gallons per helicopter.