Kern County Fire Department Launches Advanced Drone Program

New unmanned aerial systems enhance emergency response and firefighter safety

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Kern County Fire Department has launched a new unmanned aerial systems program, thanks to funding from Second District Supervisor Chris Parlier. The initiative introduces five advanced drones designed to enhance emergency response operations and improve firefighter safety, offering comprehensive scene overviews, thermal vision, and stronger zoom capabilities.

Why it matters

The new drone program aims to provide 'eyes in the sky' for the Kern County Fire Department, allowing incident commanders a 360-degree view of emergency scenes even in obstructed conditions, darkness, and fog. This is expected to lead to more effective and efficient emergency response, as well as improved firefighter safety.

The details

The Kern County Fire Department's new UAS program includes five advanced drones equipped with thermal vision and stronger zoom capabilities. These drones provide comprehensive scene overviews, allowing personnel to respond more effectively to emergencies. The thermal feature is particularly useful for quickly locating injured individuals or those involved in incidents with limited visibility. The drones have already proven valuable in recent incidents, such as a Highway 58 collision and a methane leak, by offering clear views of obstructed scenes and utilizing thermal detection.

  • The Kern County Fire Department launched the new unmanned aerial systems program in February 2026.
  • The drones have already been used in recent incidents, such as a January 27, 2026 Highway 58 collision and a methane leak.

The players

Kern County Fire Department

The fire department serving Kern County, California, which has launched a new unmanned aerial systems program to enhance emergency response operations and improve firefighter safety.

Chris Parlier

The Second District Supervisor for Kern County, who provided funding for the fire department's new drone program.

Jermey Ruiz

The Public Information Officer for the Kern County Fire Department, who stated that the drone program is meant to enhance, not replace, personnel.

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What they’re saying

“The program is meant to enhance, not replace personnel.”

— Jermey Ruiz, Public Information Officer, Kern County Fire Department (bakersfieldnow.com)

“I knew these drones were gonna be a game changer, and they've already proven their worth.”

— Chris Parlier, Kern County Supervisor, Second District (bakersfieldnow.com)

What’s next

The Kern County Fire Department plans to continue training and licensing staff to ensure the effective use of the new drones during emergencies.

The takeaway

The Kern County Fire Department's new drone program represents a significant investment in advanced technology to enhance emergency response and improve firefighter safety. By providing 'eyes in the sky' during incidents, the drones are expected to lead to more effective and efficient decision-making, ultimately benefiting the local community.