Council warns proposed removal of Rescue 2 would lengthen response times; at least one councilor vows opposition

Fire Chief Albertson told the council the Bakersfield Fire Department responded to nearly 50,000 incidents last year, including roughly 37,000 EMS calls and about 2,700 advanced life‑support (paramedic) responses. As part of proposed budget reductions the department would remove Rescue 2 (Station 2), eliminate one deputy chief, carry multiple vacancies through the year, and restaff two rescues via attrition using two firefighters rather than a captain-and-firefighter pairing.

Albertson said Rescue 2 was staffed and heavily used: "Last year, Rescue 2 ran nearly 3,100 incidents," he said, and warned that removing Rescue 2 would increase response times in Station 2’s first‑in area and could shift resources across the city. "On those concurrent calls, we're gonna see increased response times," Albertson said, explaining engine resources from stations farther away would be required to cover gaps when nearby units are committed.

Council member Gonzales said he opposed the cut and called for alternative reductions that would not diminish emergency response in one of the city’s busiest corridors. "I, for one, will not be supporting this particular reduction ... given the impacts to those in our community who desperately need it," Gonzales said, and he made a council referral seeking other options.

Albertson said the recommended eliminations would be realized through attrition rather than layoffs. He described staffing and operational tradeoffs and said the department is awaiting an updated fire master plan (the city has provided GIS data to the consultant) that will inform longer-term resource placement and station needs.

Where it stands: The proposed removal of Rescue 2 remains part of budget options under discussion; council members requested alternatives and emphasized the need for the upcoming fire master plan to guide any staffing and station changes.