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Public Works - Communications Division

"City of Bakersfield Communications Division has a broad spectrum of responsibilities and duties. The division takes great pride in providing excellent service throughout the city."

Communications & Public Safety Support
Responsibilities include ensuring the Police and Fire communications systems operate uninterrupted, 24 hours a day. Police cars and Fire vehicles have on-board wireless computers (also known as an "MDT" Mobile Data Terminal) that transmit information and data to other computers to expedite emergency response. Along with keeping the MDT's working, Communications also repairs and maintains the vehicle radios, emergency lights, and sirens. Communications has engineered several original unique installation designs. 

Telephone & Network Switching Support
The division is also responsible for maintaining reliable service on the citywide telephone switching network. The telephone system was designed and built by Communications. It continues to be one of the most technologically advanced systems to date.

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is another information system Communications designs and maintains. SCADA is utilized for many different purposes, which include remote controlling machinery, pumps, alarms, and automation. Many of the City’s water systems use SCADA to run effectively and efficiently.

City Council Chambers Audio and Video System
The City Hall Council Chambers audio and video system was also designed and built by Communications. The entire television system was engineered in house by the Communications division staff.

City Council Meetings

• Online Meetings
  City Council meetings and Planning Commission Meetings are available online via our video webpage
  
  
• Televised Meetings
  City Council meetings and Planning Commission Meetings can be seen on KGOV Cable Channel 16.

The meetings are rebroadcasted Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The following Wednesday the rebroadcast for the first part of the meeting starts at 5:15 p.m., the second part of the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.

Communications Staff

• Wayne Hopfe, Communications Coordinator

• Sam Russell, Communications Engineer

• David King, Technician II

• Manuel Barraza, Technician II

• Greg Lumpkin, Technician II

• Sean Reis, Technician I

• Mark Welch, Technician I

• David Berkshire, Audio Video Specialist

• Tom Lane, Maintenance Craft Worker

• Connie Huddleston, Accounting Clerk II

• Janice Woodin, Clerk Typist II