The mission and purpose of the Bakersfield Fire Department Reserves shall be to provide a team of trained citizens to voluntarily augment and assist the Bakersfield Fire Department in the protection of life and property from the effects of fire and other emergencies through effective and efficient fire suppression, emergency medical services, and rescue.

The History of the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department
The Bakersfield Fire Department Reserves were originally organized in late December 1941 following the outbreak of World War II as part of the California Civil Defense Auxiliary. The organization was initially formed by the State in order to boost the manpower and equipment necessary to provide fire protection to California communities in the event of a hostile attack. It also increased the manpower in the Bakersfield Fire Department due to the loss of personnel to the war effort.

The organization remained in operation under this mode until late 1948 when the State stopped funding the California Civil Defense Auxiliary and it disbanded. The Reserves operated informally until August 5, 1950, when Fire Chief Phil C. Pifer determined that due to the lack of mutual aid from any close neighboring municipal fire department, it would be necessary to reactivate the Reserves and developed guidelines as to requirements for enlistment, organizational structure, training, and meeting such requirements. From that time until now, the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department has been an official part of the Bakersfield Fire Department and it has slowly evolved into the community service-minded, dedicated, and valuable organization it is today.

Requirements for Enlistment

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

• Applicants to submit application and resume with copies of Firefighter I Academy, Haz Mat FRO, EMT, and CPR Certificates to the Bakersfield Fire Department's Training receptionist.

• Applications and resumes to be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Bakersfield Fire Department's Assistant Chief, Operations; Training Battalion Chief; and Training Captain who make a decision as to the amount of persons to be interviewed.

• Qualified applicants will be interviewed by Training staff to determine acceptance into the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department. The Fire Chief as the authority to appoint qualified applicants to the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department.

• Must be willing, upon acceptance in the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department, to sign an oath of loyalty to the United States and State of California Constitutions. This is required by law.

• Each Bakersfield Reserve Firefighter will be registered with the City Disaster Plan and State Disaster Organization for protection by State compensation.

• The Bakersfield Fire Department's Fire Chief may make special appointments to the Bakersfield Reserve Fire Department to perform specialized duties in the organization. These appointments may or may not have firefighting duties.

Training

• The Training Officer may appoint an assistant with the approval of the Bakersfield Fire Department Fire Chief.

• All Bakersfield Reserve Firefighters will receive the same training curriculum (to include Federal and State mandates) as the regular firefighters.