The Bakersfield Fire Department (BFD) was awarded a $20,000 grant from California Water Service for the purchase of a Polaris Ranger Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV).  California Water Service established the Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program to support and recognize local Fire Departments within areas serviced by Cal Water.  Grant funds can be used for purchases of personal protective gear, firefighting or communication equipment, training and education materials that support fire protection efforts.

The Polaris Ranger UTV is a six-passenger all-terrain vehicle, which will be an integral component of the BFD Regional Task Force.  The Regional Task Force (RTF) which is designed to deliver heavy-rescue capabilities that are light, fast, and mobile, while being completely self-sustainable for the first 24-hours of an emergency incident and provide advanced medical, heavy rigging, technical-search capability and structural assessment component to an emergency incident. In addition, RTF resources are available for California State Master Mutual Aid responses and routinely respond to emergencies outside of the City's geographical response area. The UTV will be stationed in northeast Bakersfield to allow for fast, safe, and efficient access to off road vehicle accidents and rescues.

The Bakersfield Fire Department received a $20,000 grant from the Cal Water Firefighter Grant Program for the purchase of Polaris Ranger Utility Terrain Vehicle.