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Findings and Recommendations 4 findings
F1
Delayed response times to complaints of illegal fireworks in the neighborhood during the July 4th holiday causes citizens to become frustrated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The KCFD develop a response team to monitor illegal fireworks complaints during the July 4th holiday beginning June 1, 2024. (Finding 1)
F2
Since the KCFD informs citizens of the dangers of deep-frying turkeys during the Thanksgiving holiday, and the dangers of having dried Christmas trees in the home during the Christmas holiday, citizens should also be made aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks during the July 4th holiday.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The KCFD increase public outreach through Public Service Announcements (e.g., newspaper, radio, social media, billboards) regarding dangers and repercussions of possessing and using illegal fireworks during the July 4th holiday beginning June 1, 2024. (Finding 2)
F3
Monitoring social media for sales of illegal fireworks may be a useful resource.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The KCFD create a task force to search social media for the sale of illegal fireworks beginning June 1, 2024. (Finding 3)
F4
Drones have proven to be useful in locating illegal fireworks in neighborhoods by flying at high altitudes covering wider areas. COMMENTS: The citizens in Kern County enjoy watching fireworks during the July 4th holiday. The Kern County Fire Department works with other law enforcement agencies to help curb the use of illegal fireworks, but the problem cannot be eliminated easily. Citizens need to be alert and assist fire departments and law enforcement agencies by reporting any use of illegal fireworks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Kern County Board of Supervisors initiate a feasibility study to possibly allocate additional funds to the Kern County Fire Department budget for the purchase of drones and training of personnel by June 1, 2024. (Finding 4) NOTES: • The Kern County Fire Department and the Kern County Board of Supervisors should post a copy of this report in areas for public viewing. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: The Kern County Fire Department o The Kern County Board of Supervisors o RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05 TO: • PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 APPENDICES: A. Recommended 2023-2024 Kern County Fire Department Budget. B. Photos of confiscated fireworks from cities around California. C. Copy of Administrative Citation from the Kern County Fire Department. Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.
Comments 6
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CO1The Kern County Fire Department and the Kern County Board of Supervisors should post a copy of this report in areas for public viewing.
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CO2Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury
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CO3Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE:
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CO4REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: The Kern County Fire Department o The Kern County Board of Supervisors o RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05 TO: 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 5
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CO5PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301
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CO6FOREPERSON KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 APPENDICES: A. Recommended 2023-2024 Kern County Fire Department Budget. B. Photos of confiscated fireworks from cities around California. C. Copy of Administrative Citation from the Kern County Fire Department. Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 6 Appendix A KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED BUDGET 2023-2024 Summary of Expenditures and Revenue FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Appropriations: Actual Adopted Actual Department Recommended Budget Requested Salaries and $140,002,487 $141,485,998 $152,631,126 $153,897,039 $159,104,794 Benefits Services and 12,729,714 16,990,932 15,653,153 15,574,819 17,017,319 Supplies Other charges 9,903,441 9,789,816 10,093,266 11,559,881 11,559,881 Capital Assets 10,787,489 12,704,017 7,075,120 0 28,501,504 Total $173,423,131 $180,970,763 $185,452,665 $181,031,739 $216,183,498 Expenditures Revenue: Taxes $113,944,245 $116,956,019 $122,726,169 118,241,087 123,472,469 Licenses and 2,654,276 2,500,000 2,975,108 2,500,000 2,500,000 Permits Fines and 48,099 10,000 45,918 10,000 10,000 Forfeitures Use of 261,674 133,300 659,510 133,300 133,300 Money/Property Intergovernmental 1,763,359 1,058,011 3,681,686 400,000 400,000 Charges for 47,006,834 42,667,927 57,578,122 47,771,070 47,771,070 Services Miscellaneous 11,615 2,175,000 18,117 375,000 2,003,763 Other Financing Source Sales – Fixed 22,954 121,559 0 0 0 Asset General Fund 0 0 4,436,248 0 18,146,602 Contribution Local Public 8,210,820 9,734,282 9,734,282 10,549,732 10,549,732 Safety State Fire 470,000 602,500 602,500 500,000 2,907,260 Vehicle/ 1,400,000 2,550,000 2,550,000 0 3,006,039 Apparatus Trust Fireworks 0 25,000 25,000 0 0 Violations Fire Department 5,376 0 0 0 0 Donations Fire Hazard 125,000 37,700 37,700 0 800,000 Reduction Fire Helicopter 300,000 300,000 300,000 275,000 1,475,000 Operations County Services 109,438 276,550 153,702 276,500 200,000 EMS American Rescue 2,005,519 0 3,214,958 0 6,785,041 Plan Act Total Revenue $178,339,209 $179,026,290 $208,860,579 $181,031,739 $220,160,276 Net Fund Cost ($4,916,078) $1,944,473 ($23,407,914) 0 ($3,976,778) 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 7 Appendix B Confiscated fireworks from Gilroy, California (Photo - www.patch.com) Confiscated fireworks from Tulare, California (Photo - www.KGEP.com) 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 8 Confiscated fireworks from Ventura, California (Photo - www.fillmoregazette.com) Confiscated fireworks from Pomona, California (Photo - wwww.imagesofpomona.blogspot.com) 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 9 Appendix C 2023-2024 Kern County Grand Jury Report 10
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Kern County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office