Stallion Springs in Danger of Losing its Fire Department

Do you live in Stallion Springs? Are you thinking about moving to Stallion Springs? Do you think having a fire department to serve our community is important?

I can assure you that Stallion Springs is a great place to live. When we first moved here, we considered ourselves lucky to have a part-time fire department during fire season. Times changed, our community grew and after some years the part-time station became full time. According to the Kern County Fire Department website, the Stallion Springs Station 12 serves a 44 square mile area. If you check the map at the KC Fire site, you can see that the Stallion Springs station forms a corner of the triangle that also includes the Bear Valley Springs Station (56 square mile coverage) and the Tehachapi Station (220 square mile coverage).  Despite the fact that the Tehachapi station covers 220 square miles and thus would encompass Stallion Springs and Bear Valley, it’s vitally important to all the local communities that the Stallion Springs Station remain open.

It’s the overlap in coverage that matters both for Stallion Springs and the surrounding communities.  If a fire starts in Stallion Springs, it’s obvious that the Stallion Springs Station would be the first responder.  If the fire warrants, then Bear Valley and Tehachapi Stations may be responding as well.  The same is true if a fire were to start in Tehachapi or Bear Valley — the Stallion Springs Station may be the supporting responding station that allows that fire to be contained quickly enough to minimize damage.

If Stallion Springs loses it’s full-time station, then the response time from Tehachapi could be long enough that significant damage is already done before the first engine arrives in Stallion Springs.  How would you feel if you had to stand and watch a fire burn up to and engulf your home while you wait for half an hour for the Tehachapi fire personnel to arrive?

Do you think that this might affect your insurance rates?  Do you think the distance from a fire station could make your home more difficult to sell?  How do you feel about losing the fire station in Stallion Springs?  I’m anxious to hear your thoughts.  Post comments here or on Facebook.

Don’t stop there.  Contact your local representatives to voice your opinion on this matter.  Call or write to Don Maben (Tehachapi office: 823-0164, Mojave office: 824-7000,  Bakersfield office: 868-3660 email: district2@co.kern.ca.us).  Send an email copy to David Aranda, the Stallion Springs General Manager  so he can share with the community how much support we are garnering.

Here’s an example that has already been sent that can give you some ideas of what to write yourself.

Remember that it’s vitally important that Stallion Springs residents let their Kern County representatives know how important it is to keep the Stallion Springs fire station open.