In the dining commons of Kern County Fire Station 15 there is a poster that reads, "There is no higher Honor than Human Service". "To work for the common good is the Greatest Deed." That phrase depicts the corporate culture of the men and women who work for the Kern County Fire Department at Fire Station 15 in Rosamond. No catchy slogans, just humble men and women working 48 hour long shifts to serve citizens in the greater Antelope Valley, Mojave, Tehachapi and unincorporated area of Boron in Kern County.
Their respected leader Captain Michael Breazeal is retiring today after serving 26 years with the County Fire Department and 6 years of service with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. On his last shift I had the pleasure to interview he and his crew to discuss the challenges faced by firefighters today and what has changed over the years.
I originally met this crew at a house fire in the 5000 block of Rosamond Blvd last week when I saw Captain Breazeal coming out of a burning home through the front window and firefighter Joey Weitz coming outside for a new air bottle. Thick black smoke had been rolling from the building. A passerby had helped two people to safety in the early morning fire. Crews went right to work performing search and rescue and fire attack and had the fire under control in 30 minutes.
I asked for a follow up interview on the Captain's last day to record some of his thoughts. As I arrived at Fire Station 15 and started the interview, as if on Que the station alerting system rang requesting Engine 15 to respond to a man who had collapsed and was in need of paramedical services. Responding just a few blocks away the crew of Engine 15 was the first to arrive to render medical care. About 30 minutes later Engine 15 returned to quarters and we continued the interview. Captain Breazeal was working with veteran Engineer Nels Jensen and Firefighter Joey Weitz.
As we casually sat around the kitchen table, Captain Breazeal opened up about his career. He recalled one of his most challenging fires was when a portion of ceiling collapsed on he and his partner, Greg Oakes in a structure fire in California City. Both men needed some medical care but each helped each other to reach safety. His most tragic call when he was working on Highway 58 when six people perished in Boron when two vehicles collided with a semi truck carrying large diameter steel pipe. He was working alone since the captain had suddenly gone home ill and we was the first to arrive. With pride he has assisted at 13 child births, been to dozens of major fires and thousands upon thousands of medical emergency calls.
In his early career he was a single function paramedic at the Los Angeles Fire Department in Hollywood. Six years later he found himself working for Kern County as a rookie firefighter. As he rose through the ranks he helped train over 400 recruits at the fire academy in Bakersfield and left his mark on very impressionable minds. He has seen advances in fire apparatus and in the field of para-medicine, which he hopes someday Kern County Fire Department will start a paramedic program similar to its neighbor Los Angeles County.
This week Engine 15 has been to three suicide calls from gunshot wounds a house fire and a dozen medical calls. Captain Breazeal will miss the station camaraderie and serving the citizens of Rosamond. He is truly a dedicated public servant who will be missed by many. His retirement party is scheduled for Saturday night with numerous people coming to say good by and a fond farewell to the special place we call Antelope Valley.
Photo and Information: Jeff Zimmerman, PO Box 725 Lake Hughes CA 93532, 805-423-3499
Kern County Fire Station 15 phone number is 661-256-2401
House fire 5003 Rosamond Blvd
Publications welcome to use this story, Credit: Jeff Zimmerman
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