The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF DAVID WITT
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HON. KEVIN McCARTHY
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 30, 2021
Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Witt on his retirement as the Chief of the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD).
David graduated with an associate's degree from Bakersfield College and a bachelor's degree in Range Resource Science from Humboldt State University, giving him a unique skill set for tackling the diverse terrain that the Kem County Fire Department covers. His interest in firefighting and emergency response were rooted well before his time in Kem County, as he had served with both the United States Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection before being hired at KCFD.
David served in a variety of roles at Kem County Fire Department, including managing its air program, operations, and logistics. In June 2019, the Kem County Board of Supervisors recognized his leadership and hard work on behalf of our community by unanimously selecting David to become Fire Chief.
As KCFD Fire Chief, David successfully led a department of nearly 500 uniformed staff and oversaw emergency responses over a two-year period that included historic wildfire seasons, massive earthquakes, and a global pandemic. He was not only responsible for the safety of his personnel and the people of Kern County, but he was also responsible for overseeing the finances and operations of the department's $150 million budget. In that role, he excelled. KCFD was $10 million in the red when David took over the top department spot. Yet as a fiscally responsible, no-nonsense Chief, David turned the Department's finances around and KCFD is now operating in the black.
Even before becoming Fire Chief, David was well-known for his hard work and contributions throughout our community. In 2010, he was recognized by the American Legion, earning a certificate of commendation. In 2013, he received the Kern River Valley Exchange Club's Firefighter of the Year Award. In 2017, he was recognized by KCFD with a letter of commendation, a testament to his work ethic and savvy that set him apart. David also serves on the Board of Directors for Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross, where he lends his expertise to the organization. He also previously served as a Board Director and as Treasurer for the Southern California Association of Foresters and Fire Wardens.
David knows the needs of the people he protects, and when that includes nine different cities, 41 different distinct communities, and 8,163 square miles, that becomes an incredible challenge. David may be taking a step back from his role as Fire Chief of the Kern County Fire Department, but I am confident that his tenure will be remembered across our community through his mentorship of firefighters and his leadership during times of emergency response and disaster recovery.
On behalf of California's 23rd Congressional District, I want to thank David for his service to our community, and want to also thank his wife Pegeen and their children Andrew and Courtland for supporting him during his many years of public service to our community. I wish David and his family well as he settles into a much-deserved retirement.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 134
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