[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 134 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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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