BAKERSFIELD FIREFIGHTERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Teaching our History to Protect our Future
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
In 2016, the Bakersfield Fire Department ran on 2,297 fire-related emergencies. Of those emergencies, there were 11 serious injuries and 1 death from fire in Bakersfield City limits. Unfortunately, these numbers rise every year. The BFHS believes that this issue is primarily a result of a lack of education. With the development of a Museum and Fire Safety Center, we hope to drastically reduce these numbers by implementing new educational programs designed to help protect the citizens and firefighters of Bakersfield and the surrounding communities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
9/11 World Trade Center Memorial
The BFHS, along with the help of various non-profits and organizations, constructed a 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial that includes a significant piece of steel for the World Trade Center and a survivor tree seedling from ground zero. This memorial is a great way for public safety members and the citizens of the great city of Bakersfield to remember and honor the sacrifices of all the men and women who gave their lives on that tragic day. The memorial is open 365 days a year and is free to visit.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The BFHS is aiming to construct a Museum and Fire Safety Center in downtown Bakersfield. The vision of the BFD Museum is to house and display historical BFD artifacts and equipment. Our plan is to set the museum up as a “walk through time." We would like to set up different zones according to the eras of equipment and apparatus. For example, the 1905 horse-drawn ladder will be housed in an area that represents how a firehouse looked back in 1905. This will allow visitors to step back in time and see how the fire service has changed over the years. Along with sharing the history, we would like to open a first of its kind “interactive" fire safety center. This center will teach children and adults about how to stay fire safe and how to be prepared for certain emergency situations. The BFHS believes that education is a vital key to help keep our community safe. The BFHS will work with local elementary, middle, and high schools to develop programs which will allow students of all ages to learn new things that will help keep them safe and interested.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategy to make our project a reality is to gain community involvement and funding. The BFHS will work to gain funding through various grants, fundraisers, and donations. Once the building is constructed, the funding will be maintained through building rentals for various events as well as through membership dues. The BFHS will also maintain funding by leasing out portions of the building to other businesses. Our strategy for the educational aspect is to develop a relationship with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to develop a curriculum for fire and emergency safety. This curriculum will be based on 3 stages of learning: Grades K-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-adult. Each stage will reinforce and add to the next in order to create a fire and emergency-safe community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The BFHS board is a voluntary position and each board member is a professional firefighter for the City of Bakersfield. Being full-time firefighters allows us to see first hand what issues need to be addressed and be able to develop a plan to help correct those issues. We are able to create contacts with other governmental agencies which can help with creating educational curriculum and programs. Being a completely voluntary organization also ensures that all money raised will be going to the project itself and not to overhead expenses.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We are currently finalizing our lease agreement for the site. Once that agreement is finalized, we will develop a floor plan and obtain construction documents which will give us a price estimate for the project. We will then begin fundraising and construction. After the construction is complete, we will meet with Kern County Superintendent of Schools, as well as various schools in our area to develop a curriculum and plan to help teach our community to be fire and emergency safe, which will result in lives saved.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
BAKERSFIELD FIREFIGHTERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Board of directorsas of 11/23/2022
Jason Johnson
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No