Full Notification

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office would like to take an opportunity to honor the men and women who dedicate countless hours each year serving the citizens of Kern County.

National Volunteer Week 2015 is being celebrated this year from April 12^th through April 18^th. Volunteer Recognition Day is Monday, April 20^th.  Volunteer Recognition Day honors volunteers who dedicate themselves to causes and helping others. Kern County Sheriff's volunteers make big and small differences in the lives of thousands of people annually.  In 2014, Kern County Sheriff’s volunteers donated an impressive 92,571 hours.   

Most volunteers do not ask for recognition, they just want to help and to "give back" where they can.  You can celebrate Volunteer Recognition Day by thanking volunteers for their work, by donating to a volunteer group or by joining a volunteer organization.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has 5 volunteer organizations; Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Citizen Service Unit, Sheriff’s Chaplains, Explorer Post #519 and Search and Rescue.   The Sheriff’s Office is currently recruiting for individuals who might be interested in joining the Search and Rescue Unit.

The Search and Rescue Unit has approximately 200 members and is comprised of 10 groups – Bakersfield/K-9, China Lake Mountain, Desert, Divers, Indian Wells Valley Mine Rescue, Kern Valley, Mounted, Southern Kern, Tehachapi, and Glennville. Each group has a special expertise in search and rescue operations. 

Applicants do not need experience to apply.  Search and Rescue members receive no monetary compensation for their endeavors.  They generate the majority of their finances through fundraisers and donations that are used to purchase equipment and provide training.  If you are interested in finding out more or what it takes to join, please call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Volunteer Services Section at 661-391-7668.

If media representatives would like additional information, or would like to schedule interviews with Sheriff’s Office volunteers during National Volunteer Week, please contact Public Information Officer Ray Pruitt at 661-391-7605 or by email at [email protected]