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Rio Tinto donates $200,000 to Kern County Fire Department for equipment and wellness support
Summary
The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted a $200,000 donation from Rio Tinto on Feb. 25 to purchase health and safety equipment and support behavioral-wellness programs for county firefighters; Rio Tinto said the contribution is part of a $600,000 commitment across multiple communities.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 voted unanimously to accept a $200,000 donation from Rio Tinto for health and safety equipment and behavioral-wellness support for the Kern County Fire Department.
Rio Tinto announced the contribution at the Board meeting, saying the gift is part of a broader $600,000 commitment to three organizations responding to recent wildfires. "In response, we are donating actually a total of $600,000 to 3 important community organizations," said Mary Beth Garrison, external affairs and communities manager for Rio Tinto US, during the presentation.
The donation was presented by Rio Tinto Chief Operating Officer James Lowe, who noted the toll large deployments can take on firefighters. "During the fires in LA last month, the Kern County Fire Department deployed over 160 firefighters, multiple engines and dozers to help battle the blaze," Lowe said. He told the board Rio Tinto’s contribution would help "improve the well-being of [the] team." Chief Duncan of the Kern County Fire Department and representatives from Local 1301 joined the presentation; Jesse Waldowski, identified as president of Local 1301, was present and recognized.
Supervisor Parlier thanked Rio Tinto and highlighted examples of department members who continued to serve despite personal losses, saying the gift recognizes the county’s public-safety workforce. The board then moved, seconded and voted to receive and file the donation; the clerk recorded the vote as "all ayes." The board formally approved receipt of the $200,000 check in open session.
County staff said the funds will be used for equipment purchases and behavioral-wellness support, but the meeting record did not specify an exact spending timeline or procurement details. Rio Tinto officials said earlier in the presentation that company operations in Boron have a long history in Kern County.
The board’s acceptance triggers county accounting and procurement steps required for outside donations; staff will carry out those steps under existing county processes. Photographs and public recognition followed the vote, and the board recessed briefly to accommodate the presentation.
Why it matters: The funding supplements county resources for firefighter physical and mental health supports after a recent mutual-aid deployment. The company framed the gift as support for first responders and communities affected by regional wildfires.
