Latest Kern County, California and US & world news from 23ABC in Bakersfield, Calif.
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00:00 Many Bakersfield families are out here enjoying the Labor Day weekend,
00:03 however these Bakersfield firefighters are ready to swing into action.
00:06 When it's time to save a life or prevent danger in Lake Ming,
00:13 Bakersfield Fire Captain Ben Hengler says an increase in staff allows for swift water
00:22 rescue teams to patrol various areas. You want me to tether you or? No we're good.
00:27 They're not just cruising around. We always take the opportunity to train if we can,
00:31 so while we're out here patrolling we'll perform maneuvers that we would utilize in a rescue
00:39 situation. Hengler says this is a unique year because of the abundance of rain that came.
00:44 That has resulted in various water levels providing a different dynamic when it comes to rescues.
00:49 The biggest thing is just being able to be adaptable, being dynamic in terms of our
00:55 responses and our equipment and how we use different equipment. Being mentally prepared
01:02 to be doing things on the fly and changing up tactics quickly in an environment that
01:08 changes almost by the second. While he didn't have an exact number yet for rescues this weekend,
01:14 Hengler said they did see some action on the water. We always hope that you know we don't
01:18 have to rescue anybody that means everybody's been safe, but I like to say that if there is
01:23 an opportunity I hope that I can be there to help. You know at the end of the day it's just
01:30 helping somebody just as if you were to you know help someone on the side of the road that was
01:35 stranded, but it's very rewarding, fulfilling to be able to help somebody in a time of need like that.
01:42 While Captain Hengler expects river rescue numbers to slow down a bit
01:49 during the winter months, he says they'll be ready to go year-round.
01:52 Steve Vian, 23 ABC News, connecting you.