Issue Issue Summary Desired Outcome Strategy Options Recommendations/Policies Seismic and Geologic Hazards The city is subject to various types of seismic hazards due to its proximity to historically
active faults and geologic vulnerabilities to
seismic activity. Existing seismic risks include
fault rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction,
subsidence, and earthquakes. Subsidence is
widespread across the city with the greatest
impacts in the southwestern portion of the
city. As well as posing a risk to life and
personal property, seismic hazards can
impact City infrastructure such as water
storage, natural gas lines, and
telecommunications. In particular,
Bakersfield has a history of earthquake
impacts downtown in buildings with
unreinforced masonry, especially with
basements and tunnels under public right of
ways.
Increased building and
infrastructure resiliency to
withstand seismic hazards.
1. Build redundant public infrastructure
that is resilient during seismic events:
Plan for infrastructure resilience, such as
fortified and redundant water and gas
supply infrastructure, to minimize
damage from seismic events and ensure
residents are still able to access critical
services. Beyond immediate safety,
redundant infrastructure also ensures a
swift recovery of essential services.
1.A Identify critical utility networks (electricity, water, communication) that do not have multiple supply routes to ensure continuity of services during a disaster. For
identified networks, work with local providers to establish a plan to provide alternate services or design redundant infrastructure, prioritizing projects that offer the greatest resilience benefits relative to cost.
1.B When new critical infrastructure is installed, require multiple supply routes for utilities where feasible to ensure continued functionality if one path is disrupted.
1.C Assess existing public critical facilities to identify risks associated with seismic, geological, flood, fire, and climate change hazards. Develop and prioritize a list of capital improvement projects to mitigate the identified risks.
1.D Provide incentives for private businesses to invest in resilient infrastructure, such as expedited permitting or tax incentives.
1.E Actively pursue grants such as FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) to support
initiatives.
2. Strengthen the seismic resiliency of the
City’s existing infrastructure and
building stock: Retrofit high risk
buildings to reduce vulnerability, protect
lives and minimize economic disruptions.
Resilient buildings also ensure the
functionality of essential services during
and after earthquakes, promoting overall
community resilience.
2.A Adopt regulations to incentivize high-risk and essential buildings (e.g., hospitals, schools, fire stations, emergency response centers) to undergo seismic retrofitting within a specified timeframe.
2.B Utilize data analytics to prioritize retrofitting projects, track progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of resilience measures.
2.C Identify funding sources for establishing a low-interest loan program for seismic retrofits for unreinforced
masonry buildings, particularly in Downtown Bakersfield.
2.D For projects that include an existing building retrofit, provide benefits such as expedited permitting processes or recognition programs to encourage private investment in resilience projects.
Hazardous Materials Bakersfield contains hazardous material sites such as LUST sites, contaminated
groundwater sites under the jurisdiction of
State Water Resources Control Board
(SWRCB) Site Cleanup Program, and
A safe and healthy
environment for all
Bakersfield community
members, while still
3. Utilize effective land use management
to reduce exposure to hazardous
materials: Reduce exposure to
hazardous materials through effective
land use planning in the form of zoning,
3.A Identify and map existing hazardous waste sites for reference when making land use planning decisions.
3.B Assist active oil and gas operators in understanding and complying with the requirements of SB 1137, including
resources such as the Department of Conservation
Safety
hazardous sites under the California
Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC) Site Cleanup Program. A total of 482
sites contain hazardous materials, 470 of
which are closed cases and 12 of which are
active. While the closed cases have a
lowered threat to health and environment,
some contamination may remain. These
sites include current and previous land uses
such as metals facilities, industrial and
manufacturing facilities, automotive
facilities, rail yards, dry cleaners, refineries,
and former oil fields. There are also active,
idle, cancelled, and plugged oil wells
throughout the city, as well as numerous
natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines
throughout Bakersfield. Residents have
reported issues with leaking oil wells near
residential uses.
supporting necessary
operations.
buffers, restrictions, and/or
redevelopment.
Operator Compliance Assistance materials, identify
alternate land uses for properties owned that are within a CalGEM identified Health Protection Zone, and methods of compliance for existing wells and facilities located within a health protection zone.
3.C Establish an appropriate land use buffer for sensitive uses to prevent the siting of new hazardous waste
producing uses, and enforce stringent regulatory
compliance of existing hazardous materials and waste so that they are managed and minimized adjacent to or within close proximity of sensitive uses.
3.D Coordinate with federal, state, and county agencies to ensure pollution from city-adjacent sites do not impact Bakersfield residents or impact air and groundwater
resources.
3.E Coordinate with and assist regional, state, and federal agencies engaged in cleanup efforts of uncontrolled
contaminated sites previously used for waste disposal.
4. Increase employee training and public
awareness: Partner with employers,
local and regional agencies, and
organizations to provide comprehensive
training and understand the risks
associated with handling potentially
harmful materials. Increased awareness
will improve adherence to proper
handling, from storage to emergency
response, mitigating the potential for
accidents. Public awareness campaigns
further educate communities on
potential hazards, fostering responsible
practices and emergency preparedness
4.A Provide public information regarding residential
collection of household hazardous wastes including paint containers, electronics, household chemicals, motor oils, and pesticides, and promote development of facilities that collect these materials.
4.B Create easy-to-understand materials that explain
common household toxins, their health effects, and safer alternatives.
4.C Host free mini-workshops at community centers,
libraries, and schools to educate residents on how to safely use and dispose of potentially harmful materials, including hands on demonstrations where possible.
4.D Organize events in easy to reach and well trafficked locations where residents can bring household toxins for safe disposal. Offer vouchers, rebate coupons, or samples of non-toxic products in exchange for hazardous ones.
Heat and Drought Projections for Bakersfield show an increase in temperatures, extreme heat days, and
prolonged drought conditions with
increased variability in precipitation
patterns. Air quality is anticipated to worsen
because of increased temperature. Heat and
drought impacts are likely to
Increase community resiliency
to extreme heat and drought.
5. Develop city-wide initiatives to reduce
water usage and ensure sustainable
water supplies during times of drought:
5.A Encourage local water districts and purveyors to
implement tiered water pricing and incentives for
residential and commercial properties to install water- efficient landscaping, lawn-to-garden, and landscape
toolbox programs. The City should work with water
districts to advocate for these measures and provide
support in designing the tiered pricing structure and
establishing clear guidelines for incentive eligibility. disproportionately impact certain groups of
people in Bakersfield.
5.B Continue partnering with the Water Association of Kern County and other related groups to expand public
education campaigns to promote water conservation
habits, targeting schools, businesses, and community
organizations.
5.C Collaborate with water districts to implement advanced metering infrastructure to monitor water usage in real- time, allowing for better identification of leaks and
excessive usage. City staff can work with water districts to develop data-sharing agreements and protocols.
5.D Establish a rebate program for residents and
businesses that replace high-water-use appliances with
water-efficient models. City employees should coordinate with local suppliers to provide discounts and ensure the rebate program is accessible to all income levels.
5.E Seek opportunities to plan and/or install purple pipe for current and future use when installing or upgrading utilities infrastructure for new and existing buildings.
5.F. Develop a water conservation unit that includes a
mixture of planners and engineers to implement City
conservation strategies.
6. Increase the resilience of city
infrastructure to better cope with
extreme heat conditions, reducing
health risks for residents.
6.A Partner with local community partners to gain insight on existing community concerns regarding health impacts of extreme heat and to develop strategies that incorporate community-driven mitigations with expert-led solutions; prioritize implementation in the neighborhoods that are most disproportionately impacted by the effects of
extreme heat.
6.B Promote available rebates and incentives for
weatherization and electrification and conduct open
dialogues with community members on effective and
affordable home weatherization strategies to improve
resilience to extreme heat.
6.C Work with local energy providers to make investments in upgrading the power system infrastructure and ensuring power system reliability and energy resilience. Identify and prioritize solar and microgrid backup power projects.
6.D Coordinate with local community centers,
organizations, and trusted partners to increase prevalence and access to resilience centers, beginning in systemically impacted communities, that provide refuge from extreme
heat, while also offering multilingual support services, uninterrupted power supply, food and medical treatment, economic development resources, and other services
identified by populations made sensitive by systems and EJ Communities. Identify and address gaps in public
awareness of resilience centers and transportation
opportunities to centers.
6.E Identify priority areas for additional shade structures and implement a strategy to install. Shade structures could include drought safe trees, canopies, awnings, and shaded bus stops, among other things.
6.F Encourage the use of cool roofing materials, reflective surfaces, and permeable pavements in new construction
and retrofits to reduce urban heat island effects. Partner with local energy providers to install solar-powered shade structures in parks and public gathering areas, providing both shade and renewable energy.
Emergency Preparedness and
Communications
Insufficient planning can lead to delayed
responses, resource constraints, and
coordination gaps among agencies. These
challenges hinder effective emergency
response and complicates decision making
and resource planning.
Effective communication protocols during
emergency events can be impeded by
technological failures, information overload,
language barriers, and public panic. These
can lead to misinformation.
Effective planning and
sufficient resources to
improve community resiliency
and improved communication
during natural disasters.
7. Improve response time, resource
constraints, and coordination gaps
through effective planning and
technology system: Use effective
planning to pre-allocate resources,
conduct trainings and drills, establish
clear roles, and implement robust
communications systems.
Comprehensive emergency planning can
lead to quicker, more organized, and
efficient responses to reduce the impact
of an emergency.
7.A Establish a redundant and resilient public
communications system that builds on existing
communications tools and systems (such as the Wireless
Emergency Alert, Nixle, and Everbridge) to ensure
uninterrupted emergency communications and allows for
continuity of communications through methods such as
alternate power sources, phone/text alerts, neighborhood checks, traditional broadcasts, and signage.
7.B During evacuations, provide evacuees with guidance on evacuation route conditions along with dynamic rerouting information to decrease travel times and reduce
congestion on highly traveled roads (for example, GPS
routing systems or digital message boards along routes).
7.C Create a registry to accurately document where
“Access & Functional Needs” populations are located,
along with the location of other potentially vulnerable populations, such as senior housing facilities and schools, and those without access to a personal vehicle.
7.D Coordinate with agencies operating or managing dam
facilities on operations, maintenance, and training
activities, and provide Emergency Action Plans annually.
8. Community Education and Training:
Educating residents on potential hazards
and best practices during emergencies
can empower communities to take
proactive measures to protect
themselves and their neighbors. Training
8.A Work with local resource groups such as a
neighborhood fire station or Home Owners Association to conduct regular evacuation training with single-access
community members. Encourage residents in single-access communities to maintain emergency supplies for 3-10
days.
sessions on first aid, disaster
preparedness, and other skills equip
communities to respond quickly and
effectively in an emergency.
8.B Provide Community Emergency Response Training
(CERT) to increase disaster preparedness training to the community at the neighborhood level.
8.C Provide multi-lingual (English and Spanish at a
minimum) public health, emergency preparedness, and
evacuation information and signage to citizens through
libraries, the City website, radio, schools, and other social media platforms.
8.D Promote a culture of preparedness for residents and businesses to increase resilience to hazard events.
8.E Improve coordination between frontline emergency
personnel, media sources, and school districts to ensure accurate and clear information is being disseminated.