Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Kern County Fire Department, Deputy Chief Mike Cody, was in the valley last Monday morning to deliver and dedicate a new Pierce fire engine at the South Fork Fire Station. The new Quantum model was designed to set the fire industry’s standard for performance and technology, featuring improved ride quality and shorter stopping distances. The rig had also been customized to meet the unique needs of Kern River Valley firefighters, with the cab being one of the industry's largest, offering greater visibility and more space for firefighter gear. The new addition will replace a 10 year old truck, that despite its relativity young age, had already accumulated 140,000 miles of front-line service. Cody stated, “The extreme number of miles on that truck says a lot about the activity of our firefighters and the volume of calls they handle.” The truck being replaced by the Quantum won't be put out to pasture any time soon, rather it will be put on reserve status, replacing other vehicles temporarily when they are down for routine maintenance. When asked if the other fire stations around the valley might be a little “red” with envy, Cody chuckled adding, “I have no doubt that they will.

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